Flushing Fields facts for kids
Flushing Fields is a public park located in the northern part of Flushing, Queens, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City. This park was bought in 1921 by a group called the Memorial Field of Flushing Corporation. Back then, it was just open farmland. From the very start, the park became the main sports field for Flushing High School. Teams for softball, soccer, football, and track all used it. The park and a special monument there are named to honor people from Flushing who died in World War I, also known as the First World War.
A Park for the Community
In 1930, the people who owned Flushing Fields found it hard to pay the taxes on the land. Even with money from sports games, it wasn't enough. So, they talked to the City of New York. They offered to give part of the field to the Parks Department to be used as a playground.
The very next year, the middle part of the property was given to the New York City Board of Education. This section had an athletic field and a grandstand. It was meant to continue being used by Flushing High School for their sports.
The War Memorial
In 1935, the gift of Flushing Fields to the City was officially recorded. A special memorial was also finished on the southern part of the property. This memorial is built in a style called Art Moderne.
The Flushing War Memorial is quite special because it honors both men and women. It's located right in a public park. This means it not only remembers the people who died but also serves as a constant reminder to everyone in the neighborhood. It shows the great sacrifice local people made for their country. The memorial is a tall granite stone with a bronze plaque. This plaque lists 70 names and has a quote from the Bible: "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Sections of the Park
After the City took over Flushing Fields, the area was divided into three main parts:
- The Memorial Field of Flushing is on Bayside Avenue. This is where the Flushing War Memorial is located.
- The Flushing High School Memorial Field is in the center. This part is still used by the high school.
- The Leonardo Ingravallo Playground is on the northern side of the park.
The Leonardo Ingravallo Playground has many different sports areas. It includes a baseball field and two softball fields. There are also courts for basketball, handball, and tennis. Plus, there's a fun playground area for younger kids.
Modern Updates
The playground at Flushing Fields was rebuilt in 1995. The ballfields were updated in 2003. These improvements added new safety features to the play equipment. They also made sure the fields had better drainage, so they wouldn't get too muddy after rain.
Today, Flushing Fields is still a very popular place for organized sports in Flushing. It remains a lasting gift to the city from the people who live in the neighborhood.
40°46′26″N 73°48′59″W / 40.77389°N 73.81639°W
