Doughboy Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Doughboy Park
Doughboy statue at entrance to park
Type	Urban park
Location	Woodside, Queens, New York City
Area	1.71 acres (0.69 ha)
Created	1957
Operated by	New York City
Open	All year

Doughboy Park is a public park in the Woodside neighborhood of Queens, New York City. It covers about 1.71 acres (or 6,920 square meters) and is a green space for everyone to enjoy. You can find it on a hilly piece of land between Skillman Avenue and Woodside Avenue, and between 54th Street and 56th Street.

The Story of Doughboy Park

Doughboy Park has a rich history that goes back many years. It started as a place for a local school and later became a special memorial.

Early Days and the First World War

The land where Doughboy Park now stands was first acquired by New York City in 1893. It was meant to be a play area for the students of local school P.S. 11.

During the World War I (also known as the First World War), soldiers from the Woodside area would gather here. They met up before heading off to fight in Europe. Sadly, some of these soldiers did not return home.

The Doughboy Statue

To honor the soldiers from Woodside, especially the ten who died, the Woodside Community Council decided to create a memorial. This special memorial was officially dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1923.

The main part of the memorial is a bronze statue. It shows an American infantryman, who was often called a "doughboy" during that time. The statue looks serious and a bit wounded, reminding everyone of the sacrifices made.

Who Made the Statue?

The talented sculptor who created this statue was Burt Johnson. He was based in Flushing, Queens. Johnson also designed another "doughboy" statue in DeWitt Clinton Park in Manhattan. In 1928, the American Federation of Artists even chose this statue as the best memorial of its kind.

Park Development and Name

The land was quite hilly, which made it hard for children to play there. So, in 1957, the land was given to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. This department manages all the parks in the city.

In 1959, a section of 54th Street was closed off and turned into parkland. This connected Doughboy Park to the nearby Windmuller Park. Over time, the park got new features like benches, walking paths, and more trees. In 1971, the park was officially given its current name: Doughboy Park.

Park Upgrades and Features

The statue itself received a special restoration project in 1990 to keep it looking good. Many other upgrades have also helped maintain the park over the years.

During the 1990 renovations, another interesting feature was added: a compass rose. This is a design embedded in the ground that shows the directions (north, south, east, west). It also has the names of the ancient Greek wind gods, called the Anemoi.

Remembering Important Events

Doughboy Park is not just a place for relaxation; it's also a place for remembrance.

Memorial Day Observances

Since the statue was put in place in 1923, the park has been a central location for local Memorial Day events. People gather here to remember and honor those who died while serving in the United States military. Other patriotic events are also held here.

September 11th Memorial

In 2006, on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a special memorial plaque was dedicated in the park. This plaque remembers the people from Woodside who died in the World Trade Center attack. It reads:

On September 11, 2001, the following who lived or worked in Woodside died in the World Trade Center attack. Their lives touched our hearts, their sacrifice changed us forever.

We remember them with love and honor.

(34 names follow)

Recent Renovations

In 2017, plans were announced to rebuild the seating area and the 9/11 memorial in Doughboy Plaza. The initial cost was estimated at $750,000, but the budget was later doubled. The reconstruction was approved in early 2018 and was expected to be finished by 2020. These updates help keep the park a beautiful and meaningful place for the community.