Bowne Park

Small, cute little park. It has a small lake and lots of benches to rest. Not much shade in the summer.

I've grown up here? 70s 80s90s and still here, the best was 30 years ago when we would put stolen cars in the lake, now I'm 49 I mite do it one more time before I die !!!!

I live in the neighborhood, and I love to go to Bowne Park whenever I have time. Recently I go there everyday. It has a large pond with two water shoot outs, which give out a lively and present sound for everybody close to the pond. There are two big willow trees standing right by pond with hanging leaves towards the water, creating a very artistic view from all directions. I love taking photographs here in the park, so I have a good collection of them. In the early summer time there are geese walking in the park, but in July, they are gone. There are one mother duck with a dozen of babies instead. There are also a lot of turtles surfing in the pond. The condition of the park seems to have been improved, but you can only use the restrooms before six pm. They will be locked up after six, which I find it very inconvenient for a lot of people who stay in the park until 10 o'clock!

Below I would like to give the brief history of Bowne Park:
Parks acquired this property on June 1, 1925, by condemnation. On June 10, 1969, Bowne Park made headlines as the first City park with an instant playground. This creation, developed by Mayor John V. Lindsay and Parks Commissioner August Heckscher, provided ready-made modular playground equipment to communities lacking adequate recreational facilities. Donated anonymously, Bowne Park's units consisted of eight-sided colorful fiberglass play-cubes.

In 1994, Bowne Park underwent an extensive, $800,000 renovation funded by Queens Borough President Claire Schulman. The renovated park offers recreation for all age groups; it boasts a bocce court surrounded by benches and tables, modern playground equipment, slides, swings, a spray shower, and basketball courts. The parkhouse, crowned by a weather vane, includes a community room that doubles as a nursery. Beautiful bench-lined walkways provide space for relaxing. The park features a pond that is home to families of turtles. A cement turtle, set atop the rolling hills overlooking the pond, stands guard above his more lively counterparts as they navigate the waters below. Two weeping willows, measuring nearly fifty feet in height, lie adjacent to the pond. In addition, American Elms and Oaks shade the park during the summer months with their wide canopies. The John Bowne homestead, located at 37-01 Bowne Street, lies south of the park and remains the oldest private residence in the borough.

The community has always been active in the affairs of Bowne Park. The Bowne Park Civic Association has remained true to its motto "A Better Community through Civic Action", by maintaining relevant historic documents and providing a center for information and action.

This park is where I play basketball with my friends. It's also beautiful. Yeah , it's great!

Not crowded and very easy on the eyes