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AccessibilityFlushing Meadows Corona Park
Frank J. Ricotta Maintenance Compound
How was this facility created?
The Frank J. Ricotta Maintenance Compound is part of the Al Oerter Recreation Center complex, which opened in 2009. The center was built through an agreement with the City’s Department of Environmental Protection, which manages the Flushing Bay Combined Sewer Overflow Retention facility located under the buildings and adjoining soccer field.
The maintenance compound houses equipment, supplies, borough crews, and administrative offices for NYC Parks.
Who is this facility named for?
This building is named for Frank J. Ricotta (1961-2021), a dedicated second-generation NYC Parks employee.
Ricotta was born and grew up in Rosedale, Queens. He displayed musical talent early, learning the guitar, tenor saxophone, and piano. He joined a 25-piece band that played bandshells throughout the city and Long Island. He met his wife Kat in 1981 and they raised their four children in Malverne, Long Island.
Ricotta joined NYC Parks in 1983 and rose to the level of Park Supervisor while at the agency. During his time at NYC Parks, he worked throughout the city, but spent the last decade of his career stationed at this facility in Queens with the Borough Crews office, which manages borough-wide maintenance and special projects. Though an Employee of the Year recipient, Ricotta was humble about his accomplishments and quick to acknowledge his teammates. Throughout his career, he mentored dozens of NYC Parks employees—a dedication to the job matched by his tattoo of the parks department’s leaf logo. Known as the “Music Man,” he also shared his musical talents with his coworkers, regularly DJ-ing agency events. He retired from Parks in 2018 but continued to share his years of wisdom with colleagues.
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Know Before You Go
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.
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.
- Be a paying member who possesses either an adult indoor pool membership or a senior, people with disabilities, or veteran membership.
- Have visited a qualifying indoor pool site between January 1, 2025 to June 26, 2025.
- St. John’s Recreation Center
- Chelsea Recreation Center
- Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center
- Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center
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.
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.
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.
Downloads
- New York State Pavilion Listening Session
- Strategic Framework Plan: Introduction
- Strategic Framework Plan: Site Analysis
- Strategic Framework Plan: Conceptual Framework, Part I
- Strategic Framework Plan: Conceptual Framework, Part II
- Strategic Framework Plan: Vision and Goals, Part I
- Strategic Framework Plan: Vision and Goals, Part II
- Strategic Framework Plan: Appendix, Part I
- Strategic Framework Plan: Appendix, Part II
Links
- National Tennis Center Strategic Vision Project
- World Ice Arena
- Citi Field
- Mets Ticketing
- USTA National Tennis Center
- US Open
- Terrace on the Park Catering Hall
- New York Hall of Science
- Queens Museum
- Queens Botanical Garden
- Queens Theatre
- Queens Wildlife Conservation Center
- Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel
- Wheel Fun Rentals
- Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
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
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