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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

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The Daily Plant : Friday, October 6, 2000

FOUNTAIN OF THE FAIRS RESTORED TO LIFE AFTER DECADES OF INACTIVITY


Malcolm (Cinema) Pinckney

On Thursday, October 5, Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern, Queens Borough President Claire (Queen Bee) Shulman, Assistant Commissioner for Queens Parks Edward (Labrador) Lewis, Chief of Operations Richard (Ricardo) Murphy, and Assistant Commissioner for Queens Parks Estelle (Unisphere) Cooper flipped the switch that turned on the spectacular Fountain of the Fairs in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The fountain was originally enjoyed by millions at the 1964-65 World's Fair. The reconstruction of the fountain is the culmination of a $3.4 million multifaceted project to upgrade over 32 acres of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Water will again be flowing in this historic fountain, capping off a restoration project that truly makes Flushing Meadows Corona Park one of the crown jewels in New York's Emerald Empire.

The project included the restoration of the Passerelle Plaza, which is now adorned with beautiful mosaic images of both the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. The Passerelle Plaza's restrooms have also been modernized and made handicap accessible. The lawn area located between the Fountain of the Fairs and the Passerelle Plaza, also part of this project, has been beautifully landscaped.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Friday, October 9, 1987)

PARKS PLANTERS DONATED TO WOMEN'S SHELTER

Residents at the Lexington Avenue Armory Shelter for Homeless Women were treated with six large flower boxes filled with bright yellow Chrysanthemums and green ivy plants this week when several Parkies teamed up with the shelter's Director Oscar Mockridge to beautify the Armory's landscaping.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

Robin Williams (b. 1952)

Check out your park's Vital Signs

Clean & Safe

82
Park Condition Score
$330.6M
Recent Investment

Green & Resilient

8.7K
Mapped Trees
95.5
Acres of Natural Areas

Empowered & Engaged Users

2.2K
Recent & Future Events
Yes
Volunteer Engagement

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Know Before You Go

Marinas
World's Fair Marina
Due to a major planned reconstruction project, Pier 1 at the World's Fair Marina is currently closed. There is presently no transient dockage nor passenger pick-ups and drop-offs allowed. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please check back with the World's Fair Marina in the future for updates.
Recreation Centers
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center & Ice Rink

Membership Extension



During the summer, we have had to temporarily reduce operating hours at several of our indoor pools. We understand the impact this has had on our members, and we want to ensure that our members have as much pool time and access as possible.



That said, we are offering qualifying individuals the opportunity to extend their membership by three months for free. To be eligible to receive the extension, you must meet all three qualification criteria:



          
  • Have obtained your membership prior to June 26, 2025, and were an active member on that date.


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  • Be a paying member who possesses either an adult indoor pool membership or a senior, people with disabilities, or veteran membership.


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  • Have visited a qualifying indoor pool site between January 1, 2025 to June 26, 2025.

          


                  
    • St. John’s Recreation Center

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    • Chelsea Recreation Center

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    • Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center

      •             
    • Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center

      •             
    • Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center

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If you believe you meet these qualifications, you may submit a request by completing the online form. The deadline to opt-in for the extension is November 16, 2025.

Recreation Centers
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center & Ice Rink
Tide Gate Bridge Construction



Due to construction on the Tide Gate Bridge, located on Meridian Road within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross the bridge in either direction. Please follow posted detour signs around Meridian Road and plan for additional travel time. Pedestrian traffic will still be permitted to cross the bridge.

Recreation Centers
Al Oerter Recreation Center
Tide Gate Bridge Construction

Due to construction on the Tide Gate Bridge, located on Meridian Road within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross the bridge in either direction. Please follow posted detour signs around Meridian Road and plan for additional travel time. Pedestrian traffic will still be permitted to cross the bridge.

Contacts

General Park Info: (718) 760-6565
Pitch N Putt Golf and Miniature Golf : (718) 271-8182
World's Fair Marina on Flushing Bay : (718) 478-0480
World's Fair Marina Restaurant: (718) 898-1200
Terrace on the Park: (718) 592-5000
Citi Field: (718) 699-4220
Mets Ticketing: (718) 507-TIXX
USTA National Tennis Center: (718) 760-6200
US Open/USTA: (914) 696-7000
New York Hall of Science: (718) 699-0005
Queens Museum: (718) 592-9700
Queens Botanical Garden: (718) 886-3800
Queens Theatre: (718) 760-0064
Queens Wildlife Conservation Center: (718) 271-1500
Sports Permits: (718) 393-7272
Picnic/Barbeque Permit for Large Groups: (718) 393-7272
Wheel Fun Rentals: (917) 231-5519
World Ice Arena: (718) 760-9001
Al Oerter Recreation Center: (718) 353-7853
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool & Rink: (718) 271-7572
Special Events Permits: (718) 760-6560
Tennis Permits: (718) 393-7276
Volunteer Coordinator: (718) 760-6561