Springfield Gardens, Queens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Springfield Gardens
Neighborhood of Queens
Telephone exchange for southeastern Queens
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
County/Borough	Queens
Community District	Queens 13
Population  (2000)
• Total	39,827
Ethnicity
• White	2.7%
• Black	91.5%
• Hispanic	4.4%
• Asian	0.6%
• Other	1.3%
Economics
• Median income	$56,726
ZIP Code	11413, 11434
Area code(s)	718, 347, 929, and 917

Springfield Gardens is a friendly neighborhood in the southeastern part of Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York City. It is bordered by St. Albans to the north and John F. Kennedy International Airport to the south. To the east, you'll find Laurelton and Rosedale, while Farmers Boulevard marks its western edge. Sometimes, the area east of Springfield Boulevard is also called Brookville.

History of Springfield Gardens

How Springfield Gardens Began

Europeans first settled in this area way back in 1660. For many years, it was mostly farmland. This continued until the mid-1800s.

Growth in the 1920s

A big change happened in the 1920s. More people started moving here as the Long Island Rail Road expanded its service. A train station, the Springfield Gardens station, opened in the area. This station closed in 1979.

Between 1920 and 1930, the number of people living here grew a lot. It went from 3,046 to 13,089 residents. Many new people came from Brooklyn, looking for homes that felt more like the suburbs. In 1927, the community's name was changed to the more pleasant-sounding Springfield Gardens.

Major Streets and Today's Community

Several important streets run through Springfield Gardens. These include Farmers Boulevard, Merrick Boulevard, Springfield Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, and Guy R. Brewer Boulevard.

Today, Springfield Gardens still feels like a quiet, suburban area with low-rise homes. It is home to many families from the Caribbean. This includes people from Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, and Guyana. Many older homes have been rebuilt to make space for more families. This happens as more people choose to live in the neighborhood. Part of the area is even a protected historic district. Springfield Gardens uses ZIP Codes 11434 (for the western part) and 11413 (for the eastern part).

Fun in Springfield Gardens

Springfield Park

A part of Springfield Lake in Springfield Park

Springfield Park is a great place to visit. It covers about 23.54 acres (9.53 ha) of land. In the middle of the park, you'll find a large body of water called Springfield Lake. The park is located on the west side of Springfield Boulevard. You can find it between 145th Road and 147th Avenue.

Brookville Park

Another large park, Brookville Park, is about 90-acre (36 ha). It sits on the eastern edge of Springfield Gardens, right next to Rosedale. The park is bordered by South Conduit Avenue, 149th Avenue, and 232nd and 235th Streets. Inside Brookville Park, there is a pond called Conselyea's Pond.

Getting Around Springfield Gardens

Train Service

You can catch a train from the Long Island Rail Road at the Rosedale and Laurelton stations. These stations are served by the Far Rockaway Branch and Long Beach Branch lines. The special CityTicket program is available at these stations. This program offers cheaper fares for trips within New York City.

Bus Routes

Several bus lines help people travel around Springfield Gardens and to other parts of Queens:

• The Q3 bus runs along Farmers Boulevard. It goes towards the 165th Street Bus Terminal in Jamaica or to JFK Airport.
• The Q6 bus travels along Rockaway Boulevard and Sutphin Boulevard. It connects JFK Airport North Boundary Road to the Jamaica-165th Street Bus Terminal.
• The Q85 bus goes along South Conduit Boulevard. It heads towards Rosedale or Green Acres Mall. It also travels along North Conduit Boulevard towards the Jamaica Center – Parsons/Archer subway station (E J and ​Z trains).
• The Q111 bus travels to Rosedale and Jamaica using 147th Avenue.
• The Q113 and Q114 buses also use 147th Avenue to reach Jamaica and Far Rockaway.
• The Q77 bus travels along Springfield Boulevard and Francis Lewis Boulevard. It goes to the Jamaica-165th Street Bus Terminal. It ends its route at the border of Brookville and Springfield Gardens, at 145th Road and Springfield Boulevard.

Famous People from Springfield Gardens

Springfield Gardens has been home to several notable individuals:

• Khandi Alexander (born 1957) is a talented dancer, choreographer, and actress.
• Frances Goldin (1924–2020) was an important activist for housing rights and a literary agent in New York City.
• John Robert Grant (1729–1790) was a Loyalist who fought during the American Revolutionary War.
• Cynthia Jenkins (1924–2001) was a librarian and community activist. She also served as a politician in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 1994.
• Anthony Mason (1966–2015) was a professional basketball player. He played for 13 seasons in the NBA.
• Lil Tecca (born 2002) is a popular rapper, singer, and songwriter.
• Eric Truvillion (born 1959) was a wide receiver in football. He played for the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL and the Detroit Lions in the NFL.