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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

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Samuel & Ethel Lefrak Meadow

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

This sprawling 96-acre meadow overlooking Willow Lake is named in honor of Samuel and Ethel LeFrak. Samuel J. LeFrak (1918-2003) was the third generation chairman of the Lefrak Organization. Best known for developing nearby Lefrak City, a self-contained housing and commercial complex built in the 1960s, he was one of the foremost leaders in the housing and energy industries of the 20th century.

LeFrak’s grandfather, Aaron LeFrak, emigrated from France to America in 1898 with his son, Harry LeFrak (1885-1963), and founded the company in 1901. Samuel J. LeFrak was born on February 12, 1918. He attended Erasmus Hall High School, the University of Maryland, Columbia University, and Harvard University. He married Ethel Stone, who attended Barnard College, in 1941, and together they had three daughters and a son.

With his great knowledge of housing and energy technology, LeFrak served six New York City mayors, five governors, and five presidents. He was a member of the United States National Energy Council, the New York Task Force on Housing, and the New York City Industrial Development Corporation. Lefrak acted as Special Consultant for the State Department, U.S. delegate to the International Conference on Housing and Urban Development in Geneva, and many nations invited him to advise on their land development projects. In addition to receiving many awards and honorary degrees, LeFrak was knighted by the Kings of both Sweden and Norway. LeFrak also had an extensive art collection, which he lent to museums throughout the world.

Samuel J. LeFrak and his wife, Ethel, donated $25,000 to the City Parks Foundation “Adopt-A-Park” Program for the creation of this meadow, and it was dedicated on May 29, 1991. Located near the southern tip of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, between the Van Wyck Expressway and the Jamaica Yards of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, LeFrak meadow includes the Willow Lake Natural Area. Although constructed for the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair, this artificial wetland attracts a variety of wildlife. On November 10, 1976, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation designated the 47.6-acre Willow Lake a protected freshwater wetland.

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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
Parking Prohibited in Parking Lot D

From Monday, August 18 through Sunday, September 7, parking will be prohibited under the Van Wyck Expressway and in Parking Lot D due to the US Open. We encourage all Aquatics Center members and visitors to use public transportation when traveling to the center during this time.

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

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    • Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center

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    • 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