Roy Wilkins Park
{{Short description|Public park in Queens, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}
{{Infobox park
|name=Roy Wilkins Park
|image=Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-01-13) 071 - Family Center.jpg
|image_caption=Roy Wilkins Family Center
|image_alt=
|image_size=300px
|coordinates={{Coord|40|41|16|N|73|46|20|W|region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
|designation=
|status=open
|visitation_num=
|operator=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
|created=1977
|area={{convert|53|acre}}
|location=St. Albans, Queens, New York, US
|type=
| mapframe-custom = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|zoom=11|frame-lat=40.69|frame-long=-73.77|type=point|coord={{coord|40.688529|-73.772278}}|title=Roy Wilkins Park}}
|map_width=
|map=
|open=6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
}}
Roy Wilkins Park, originally known as Southern Queens Park, is a {{convert| 54|acre|ha|adj=on}} park in the St. Albans neighborhood of southeastern Queens in New York City. It is located on an irregular plot of land bounded by 115th and 116th Avenues to the north, 175th Street to the west, Merrick Boulevard to the southwest, Baisley Boulevard to the southeast, and the St. Albans Community Living Center to the east. Roy Wilkins Park contains the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, a community center with an indoor swimming pool. It also includes various outdoor sporting facilities, a playground, and an artificial pond.
The land, formerly part of the St. Albans Naval Hospital, was given to the New York City government in 1977. Because of the city's financial shortfalls, caused by the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis, the land was leased to the Southern Queens Park Association, which originally maintained the park. Roy Wilkins Park was named for civil rights activist Roy Wilkins in 1982, and the recreational center opened on the site in 1986. Throughout the years, Roy Wilkins Park has held numerous events and concerts.
Description
File:Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-06-21) 139 - Field House.jpg
Roy Wilkins Park is located in St. Albans, south of Downtown Jamaica and east of South Jamaica. According to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, it occupies {{Convert|53|acre||abbr=}}, though the precise area is {{Convert|56.83|acre||abbr=}}. However, other sources such as The New York Times say that Roy Wilkins Park covers {{Convert|54|acre||abbr=}}.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRqLhR1J1-IC&pg=PA369|title=Garden Guide: New York City|last1=Berner|first1=N.|last2=Lowry|first2=S.|last3=De Sciose|first3=J.|publisher=W. W. Norton|year=2010|isbn=978-0-393-73307-5|series=Garden Guides|page=369|access-date=January 14, 2020|edition=Revised|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407103323/https://books.google.com/books?id=DRqLhR1J1-IC&pg=PA369|url-status=live}} The park is sometimes also known as the Southern Queens Park, its original name prior to 1982.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sqpa.org/about-us|title=About Us|website=sqpa|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152419/https://www.sqpa.org/about-us|url-status=live}}
= Family center =
The Roy Wilkins Family Center is a {{Convert|50,000|ft2||abbr=|adj=on}} building that was part of the St. Albans Naval Hospital.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253436/|title=Dedicate Wilkins Park|last1=Rabin|first1=Bernard|date=April 24, 1986|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|last2=Neugebauer|first2=William|page=242|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253436/dedicate-wilkins-park/|url-status=live}} The Family Center is located near the eastern corner of the park, near Baisley Boulevard and 119th Road.{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/issued/Q448|title=Field and Court Usage Report for Roy Wilkins Recreation Center : NYC Parks|date=June 26, 1939|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114021606/https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/issued/Q448|url-status=live}} Its largest feature is an Olympic-size swimming pool, but the center also houses other programs and events, including a daytime summer camp, after-school activities, and counseling.{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/roy-wilkins-recreation-center/history|title=Roy Wilkins Recreation Center Highlights : NYC Parks|date=June 26, 1939|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113194515/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/roy-wilkins-recreation-center/history|url-status=live}}
A 425-seat theater, which contains piano and film rooms, is located next to the recreation center. It is occupied by the Black Spectrum Theatre Company, which was founded in 1970 and is the largest African American theater company in Queens.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-black-spectrum-theatre-company-takes-bow-40th-anniversary-article-1.474767|title=Queens' Black Spectrum Theatre company takes bow for its 40th anniversary|last=Trapasso|first=Clare|date=December 12, 2010|website=New York Daily News|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024950/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-black-spectrum-theatre-company-takes-bow-40th-anniversary-article-1.474767|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/break-out-performances-the-black-spectrum-theatre-hits-the-road-with-summer-shows-throughout-the-metropolitan-area-1.473196|title=Break-Out Performances / The Black Spectrum Theatre hits the road with summer shows throughout the metropolitan area|last=Gudrais|first=Elizabeth|date=July 22, 2000|website=Newsday|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024952/https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/break-out-performances-the-black-spectrum-theatre-hits-the-road-with-summer-shows-throughout-the-metropolitan-area-1.473196|url-status=live}} The troupe moved to Roy Wilkins Park in 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/nyregion/new-stage-and-new-hopes-for-a-queens-troupe.html|title=New Stage, and New Hopes, for a Queens Troupe|date=May 4, 1986|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 12, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112231835/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/nyregion/new-stage-and-new-hopes-for-a-queens-troupe.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Big%2520Red%2520News%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Big%2520Red%2520News%25201985-1986%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Big%2520Red%2520News%25201985-1986%252000412_1.pdf|title=A Dream Comes True|last=Thomas|first=Don|date=May 17, 1986|work=Big Red News|page=24|via=fultonhistory.com|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220904/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%205/Brooklyn%20NY%20Big%20Red%20News/Brooklyn%20NY%20Big%20Red%20News%201985-1986/Brooklyn%20NY%20Big%20Red%20News%201985-1986%2000412_1.pdf|url-status=live}}
An African-American Hall of Fame is located outside the family center, and contains {{Convert|400|lb||abbr=|adj=on}} medallions of such figures as Ralph Bunche, a diplomat, and Shirley Chisholm, the first black female United States Representative.
= Play facilities =
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|total_width=500
|image1=Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-01-13) 088 - Basketball Court 3.jpg
|image2=Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-06-21) 016 - Track and Field.jpg
|image3=Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-01-13) 050 - Baseball Field.jpg
|footer=Basketball court, running track, and baseball field in Roy Wilkins Park
}}
Close to the southern corner of Roy Wilkins Park are two baseball fields, two tennis/handball courts, two basketball courts, and play equipment. An additional six tennis/handball courts, four batting cages, four basketball courts, more play equipment, and restrooms are located on the eastern border of the park, directly to the north and facing Baisley Boulevard. To the northeast is a parking lot and the Roy Wilkins Family Center.
The central part of Roy Wilkins Park, near Merrick Boulevard, contains additional parking. There are also three cricket pitches, a running track, and restrooms. During the 1990s, hurdler Dalilah Muhammad had used the park's track-and-field facilities while growing up in Queens.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/sports/Dalilah-Muhammad-track.html|title=Dalilah Muhammad Wants More Than World Records|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|date=October 1, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223070958/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/sports/Dalilah-Muhammad-track.html|url-status=live}}
The northern part of Roy Wilkins Park, facing 175th Street to the west and 115th Avenue to the north, contains additional parking as well as two baseball fields.
= Other features =
An artificial pond is located toward the southeastern end of Roy Wilkins Park.{{Cite web|url=https://hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/roy-wilkins-park-queens/|title=Roy Wilkins Park, Queens|last=Kadinsky|first=Sergey|date=January 28, 2016|website=Hidden Waters|language=en|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024951/https://hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/roy-wilkins-park-queens/|url-status=live}} The unnamed pond was created in 1997.{{Cite web|last=Gannon|first=Michael|date=May 25, 2017 |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/staging-a-comeback-in-roy-wilkins-park/article_9f119dd7-cddf-5cd5-bde8-f5acdb519b7d.html|title=Staging a comeback in Roy Wilkins Park|website=Queens Chronicle|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152415/https://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/staging-a-comeback-in-roy-wilkins-park/article_9f119dd7-cddf-5cd5-bde8-f5acdb519b7d.html|url-status=live}}
A {{Convert|4|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} vegetable garden is also located within the park, and is among New York City's largest community gardens, with 400 plots. The garden was established in 1980 on the site of the former Naval Hospital barracks. By the 1990s, the vegetable garden was annually growing $300,000 worth of produce. The plants are typically used by the individuals or families that grow each plot and are not for wholesale use.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42275786/|title=Gardening is a way of life for these city folk|last=Velez|first=Carlos|date=August 13, 1985|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=243|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42275786/gardening-is-a-way-of-life-for-these/|url-status=live}}
History
= Site =
The site was originally occupied by the St. Albans Golf Course and Country Club,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/05/19/archives/queens-site-seized-for-naval-hospital-work-begun-on-st-albans-golf.html|title=QUEENS SITE SEIZED FOR NAVAL HOSPITAL; Work Begun on St. Albans Golf Course as U.S. Files Notice|date=May 19, 1942|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 11, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024952/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/05/19/archives/queens-site-seized-for-naval-hospital-work-begun-on-st-albans-golf.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nyharbor.va.gov/services/St_Albans_Community_Living_Center.asp|title=Veterans Affairs|last=System|first=VA NY Harbor Healthcare|date=April 15, 2013|website=VA NY Harbor Health Care System|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112231840/https://www.nyharbor.va.gov/services/St_Albans_Community_Living_Center.asp|url-status=live}} which was completed in 1915.{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/42062271/|title=The New St. Albans Golf Course|date=June 25, 1914|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=January 9, 2020|page=37|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220912/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/42062271/the-new-st-albans-golf-course/|url-status=live}} The club hosted the 1930 Metropolitan Amateur.{{cite web|last=Cyrgalis|first=Brett|url=https://nypost.com/2010/08/22/the-late-great-golf-courses-of-queens/|title=The late, great golf courses of Queens|date=August 22, 2010|website=New York Post|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024953/https://nypost.com/2010/08/22/the-late-great-golf-courses-of-queens/|url-status=live}} The land was seized for the construction of St. Albans Naval Hospital in 1942, and the hospital started operating the next year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/02/16/archives/navy-commissions-hospital-in-queens-10minute-ceremony-in-minus-8.html|title=NAVY COMMISSIONS HOSPITAL IN QUEENS; 10-Minute Ceremony in Minus 8 Temperature Marks Formal Opening at St. Albans|date=February 16, 1943|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 13, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113195040/https://www.nytimes.com/1943/02/16/archives/navy-commissions-hospital-in-queens-10minute-ceremony-in-minus-8.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=PublicUnitProfile&type=Unit&ID=23350|title=Navy Naval Hospital Long Island, NY (St. Albans) {{!}} Navy Veteran Locator|website=navy.togetherweserved.com|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606060349/http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=PublicUnitProfile&type=Unit&ID=23350|url-status=live}} In the late 1940s, the temporary structures on the hospital site were replaced with more permanent structures.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/11/03/archives/big-navy-hospital-going-up-in-queens-construction-on-14823000.html|title=BIG NAVY HOSPITAL GOING UP IN QUEENS; Construction on $14,823,000 Replacement Project Gets Under Way in St. Albans|date=November 3, 1948|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 13, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113200214/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/11/03/archives/big-navy-hospital-going-up-in-queens-construction-on-14823000.html|url-status=live}}
After the Vietnam War, St. Albans Naval Hospital saw gradual personnel cuts,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/10/archives/st-albans-holspital-entering-new-phase-twoyear-plan.html|title=St. Albans Hospital Entering New Phase|last=Berliner|first=David C.|date=March 10, 1974|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113194505/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/10/archives/st-albans-holspital-entering-new-phase-twoyear-plan.html|url-status=live}} and it was ordered to be closed in 1973.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/18/archives/two-decades-of-rumors-come-true-finally-for-st-albans-naval.html|title=Two Decades of Rumors Come True Finally for St. Albans Naval Hospital: Its Closing Is Ordered|last=Carmody|first=Deirdre|date=April 18, 1973|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114153200/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/18/archives/two-decades-of-rumors-come-true-finally-for-st-albans-naval.html|url-status=live}} After the announcement of the hospital's closure, several plans were proposed for the site. The United States Department of Agriculture wanted to use the site as a regional quarantine center, having searched for possible locations since 1964. Another proposal was to turn the abandoned buildings into a veterans' hospital.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/26/archives/agriculture-dept-seeks-to-turn-st-albans-naval-hospital-into-animal.html|title=Agriculture Dept. Seeks to Turn St. Albans Naval Hospital Into Animal Quarantine Center|last=Weisman|first=Steven R.|date=August 26, 1973|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152731/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/26/archives/agriculture-dept-seeks-to-turn-st-albans-naval-hospital-into-animal.html|url-status=live}} In 1974, it was announced that part of the hospital, comprising {{Convert|74|acre||abbr=}} of the hospital's {{Convert|117|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} total, would be turned over to the General Services Administration and become a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility. At the time, all naval hospital patients had been relocated to other facilities, and the barracks were set to be demolished. The St. Albans VA Hospital opened in 1976{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42179665/|title=Dedicate VA Hospital in St. Albans Tomorrow|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=October 22, 1976|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 9, 2020|page=566|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42179665/dedicate-va-hospital-in-st-albans/|url-status=live}} and is still operating. The VA subsequently offered the unoccupied portion of the land to the city for use as a city park.{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/278348046 |title=QUEENS SCAPE ROY WILKINS PARK Turning a Wasteland Into an Urban Oasis Community effort and help from the city have made it an integral part of the neighborhood|last1=Morales|first1=Tina|date=April 28, 1991|work=Newsday|access-date=January 13, 2020|last2=Kansas|first2=David|pages=7|via=ProQuest|url-access=subscription }}
= Park establishment =
File:Roy Wilkins Park td (2019-06-21) 193.jpg
The Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA), composed of twelve community groups, was involved with the initial creation of the park, which was mainly the idea of the association's executive director Solomon Goodrich. The association's chairman, former New York City deputy mayor Paul Gibson, made an agreement for the association to lease the land from the city, as long as the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation funded improvements. Both men sought to make the land available to the majority-black populations in the surrounding area; one of Goodrich's goals was to "mobilize the blacks of St. Albans to help pull up the blacks of South Jamaica".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/nyregion/noisily-nurturing-the-grass-roots.html|title=Noisily Nurturing the Grass Roots|last=Kleinfield|first=N. R.|date=November 7, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111025029/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/nyregion/noisily-nurturing-the-grass-roots.html|url-status=live}} Donald Manes, the Queens borough president, wrote a letter to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, advocating the construction of a park on the remaining portion of the St. Albans Naval Hospital site. However, the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis meant that the city's government did not have funds to redevelop the property.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/21/archives/state-asked-to-make-part-of-st-albans-naval-site-a-park.html|title=State Asked to Make Part of St. Albans Naval Site a Park|last=Berliner|first=David C.|date=September 21, 1975|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152706/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/21/archives/state-asked-to-make-part-of-st-albans-naval-site-a-park.html|url-status=live}} At the time, the unused land was seen as a "wasteland" with trash and vandalism amid the vacant buildings.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42062376/|title=Roy Wilkins Park to be dedicated in May|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=March 30, 1986|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 9, 2020|page=160|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220914/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42062376/roy-wilkins-park-to-be-dedicated-in-may/|url-status=live}} A New York Daily News article later described the site as having 18 "rat-infested" buildings and "a leaking swimming pool full of dead dogs".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42317673/|title=Park pushes for more green|last=Terrazzano|first=Lauren|date=May 23, 1995|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=1135|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220915/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42317673/park-pushes-for-more-green/|url-status=live}}
The Southern Queens Park was founded on the property in 1976. Maintenance duties passed to the SQPA, who leased the park from the city for $1 a year.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42319516/|title=Parklands Proposal Awaits City Funds|first=Miguel|last=Perez|date=July 24, 1978|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=325|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220915/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42319516/parklands-proposal-awaits-city-funds/|url-status=live}} The New York Youth Board provided a $200,000 grant to clean up the park, which had been vandalized while the land had been in disputed during the previous four years, while another $400,000 was provided in community development funds. The United States Army Corps of Engineers started clearing the unused barracks, and volunteers began cleaning up the park, though there was limited funding available to renovate the recreational facilities. A flower and vegetable garden operated by senior citizens was established in the Southern Queens Park in 1980, and a jobs program for youth was also started.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42231245/|title=200,000 expected at 13-day festival|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=June 30, 1985|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42231245/ 424], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42231088/ 426]|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220916/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42231245/200000-expected-at-13-day-festival/|url-status=live}} The city started contributing funds once its fiscal crisis was resolved, and in 1980, entered into a public–private partnership with the SQPA to maintain the Southern Queens Park. On June 29, 1982, the park was renamed after NAACP leader Roy Wilkins, a longtime Queens resident who had died the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201982%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201982%252001095_1.pdf|title=Mayor Edward Koch is shown signing a bill renaming Jamaica Park at Merrick Boulevard and 119th Avenue the Roy Wilkins Park|date=July 17, 1982|work=New York Amsterdam News|page=20|via=fultonhistory.com|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220915/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News%201982/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News%201982%2001095_1.pdf|url-status=live}}
Starting in the mid-1980s, the city spent $5 million on converting one of St. Albans Naval Hospital's buildings into the Roy Wilkins Family Center.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/03/nyregion/queens-park-rises-in-ruins-of-wasteland.html|title=Queens Park Rises in Ruins of Wasteland|last=Fried|first=Joseph P.|date=August 3, 1985|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114153029/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/03/nyregion/queens-park-rises-in-ruins-of-wasteland.html|url-status=live}} Work started in 1983, and it was supposed to be completed the next year at a cost of $3.7 million. However, the Family Center was not dedicated until April 1986{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253152/|title=Q-9A, new route, starts soon|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=April 23, 1986|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 14, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253152/q-9a-new-route-starts-soon/|url-status=live}} at a final cost of $10 million. The swimming pool opened in August of that year, becoming the first indoor public pool in southeast Queens.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253327/|title=Old, new put boro in the swim|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=August 12, 1986|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=228|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42253327/old-new-put-boro-in-the-swim/|url-status=live}} The Spectrum Theatre Company moved to a space adjacent to the Family Center the same year. In 1991, the local Little League built new baseball diamonds. At the time, a further $12 to $15 million program of improvements in the park was delayed to the city's early-1990s fiscal crisis.
= Later years =
File:Merrick Bl Foch Bl td (2019-08-20) 04 - Roy Wilkins Park.jpg
In 1988, Queens borough president Claire Shulman announced that the African American Hall of Fame would be founded at Roy Wilkins Park.{{cite web|url=https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201988%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201988%252000241_2.pdf|title=Shulman sets up Queens Hall of Fame|date=March 4, 1988|work=New York Amsterdam News|page=9|via=fultonhistory.com|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220940/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News%201988/New%20York%20NY%20Amsterdam%20News%201988%2000241_2.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318652/|title=Shulman aids Black Hall of Fame|last=Ain|first=Stewart|date=February 24, 1988|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=445|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318652/shulman-aids-black-hall-of-fame/|url-status=live}} The first inductee was Wilkins, who was named to the Hall of Fame in 1989, followed by diplomat Ralph Bunche the next year. The Hall of Fame was originally located within the Family Center's courtyard. By the early 1990s, Goodrich hoped to build a structure for the Hall of Fame, which might possible contain memorabilia of such prominent African-American residents of Queens, such as Louis Armstrong, Malcolm X, and Jackie Robinson. However, the building would cost about $4–5 million, funds that were not available at the time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/25/nyregion/st-albans-journal-creating-a-hall-of-fame-to-prize-black-heritage.html|title=ST. ALBANS JOURNAL; Creating a Hall of Fame To Prize Black Heritage|last=Fried|first=Joseph P.|date=March 25, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111025018/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/25/nyregion/st-albans-journal-creating-a-hall-of-fame-to-prize-black-heritage.html|url-status=live}} In 1999, the U.S. representative for the area, Gregory Meeks, requested $5 million for a Hall of Fame building, which he said would be the only one of its kind in the United States. This request was made following president Bill Clinton's signing of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act the previous year.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLy9j6hQDT8C&pg=PA584|title=Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2000: Smithsonian Institution|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1999|series=Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2000: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session|page=584|isbn=9780160585357|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220940/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLy9j6hQDT8C&pg=PA584|url-status=live}} According to the SPQA's website, the Hall of Fame building was not erected because funding priorities had shifted after the September 11 attacks in 2001.
By the early 1990s, Goodrich said that the park was a boon for South Jamaica, which at the time was majority-black and primarily lower-class. The region had long been neglected by city officials, having been "perceived as being part of an affluent middle-class community in Queens", namely the predominantly black neighborhood of St. Albans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/nyregion/noisily-nurturing-the-grass-roots.html|title=Noisily Nurturing the Grass Roots|last=Kleinfield|first=N. R.|date=November 7, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 12, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111025029/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/nyregion/noisily-nurturing-the-grass-roots.html|url-status=live}} To reduce danger in the park, the SQPA kept the park brightly lit, and gave its members walkie-talkies. The SQPA continued to make major renovations to the park, including adding baseball fields, soccer/football fields, tennis courts, and a gym.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318081/|title=Li'l sprouts or sprouts?|last=Avasthi|first=Surabhi|date=November 22, 1994|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=1023|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220941/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318081/lil-sprouts-or-sprouts/|url-status=live}} However, funding for the park was decreased by 60% in 1995 following a citywide fiscal crisis.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318325/|title=Dialing up center aid|last=Avasthi|first=Surabhi|date=January 18, 1995|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=757|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220946/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318325/dialing-up-center-aid/|url-status=live}} Despite a radiothon that raised $40,000 for the park, security and maintenance funds were halved, and the park's free summer program for kids started charging $100 per child. An artificial pond in the park was created in 1997. The project also included the construction of a new stage for the theater.
NYC Parks released a plan in 2017 to restore the stage for $450,000, as part of a participatory-budgeting process wherein residents voted on projects that needed the most funding. A reconstruction of the park's track and field facility was finished in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7290|title=Roy Wilkins Park Track and Field Reconstruction : NYC Parks|website=www.nycgovparks.org|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=August 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821062134/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7290|url-status=live}} The next year, $2 million was allocated for upgrades to Nautilus Playground.{{Cite web|last=Russell|first=David|date=June 20, 2019|url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/m-allocated-for-capital-projects/article_610a263f-c27d-57be-8578-e30e24e3fbe0.html|title=$65M allocated for capital projects|website=Queens Chronicle|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111024953/https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/m-allocated-for-capital-projects/article_610a263f-c27d-57be-8578-e30e24e3fbe0.html|url-status=live}} NYC Parks also planned to renovate the Family Center's gymnasium starting in March 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/6459|title=Roy Wilkins Recreation Center Gymnasium Reconstruction : NYC Parks|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015240/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/6459|url-status=live}} but this was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SQPA maintained the park until October 2021, when NYC Parks took over.{{cite web |last=McGowan |first=Clodagh |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Roy Wilkins Park, the gem of Southeast Queens |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/city-of-parks/2022/07/10/roy-wilkins-park--the-gem-of-southeast-queens |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City}}{{cite web |last=Okula |first=Sean |date=October 27, 2022 |title=CB 12 hesitant to support SQPA effort |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/cb-12-hesitant-to-support-sqpa-effort/article_514379b1-913c-50fc-85cc-e7d390f02926.html |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=Queens Chronicle}} The SQPA was attempting to regain control of Roy Wilkins Park by December 2022, though community members expressed skepticism about the association's ability to operate the park.
Events and programming
Over the years, Roy Wilkins Park has held numerous events such as concerts; by 1999, the park's programs were drawing 100,000 visitors per year.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318512/|title=Impacting the Community|date=December 12, 1999|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 13, 2020|page=297|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530220957/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42318512/impacting-the-community/|url-status=live}} Festivals have included the Groovin in the Park Festival, an annual event with reggae and R&B music,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/travel/festivals-where-the-beat-makes-you-move.html|title=Festivals Where the Beat Makes You Move|last=Dreisinger|first=Baz|date=November 7, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015208/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/travel/festivals-where-the-beat-makes-you-move.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/groovin-in-the-park|title=Groovin' in the Park – Music in New York|date=June 21, 2019|website=Time Out New York|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152636/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/groovin-in-the-park|url-status=live}} as well as Jamaican Jerk Festival, a Caribbean cuisine and culture event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/grace-jamaican-jerk-festival|title=Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival {{!}} Things to do in New York|website=Time Out New York|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015207/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/grace-jamaican-jerk-festival|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Merlino|first=Victoria|date=August 22, 2019|url=https://queenseagle.com/all/jamaican-jerk-festival-returns-to-queens|title=Jamaican Jerk Festival returns to Queens|website=Queens Daily Eagle|language=en-US|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015211/https://queenseagle.com/all/jamaican-jerk-festival-returns-to-queens|url-status=live}} The park also hosts events such as yoga and fitness challenges and a music program. Since 2003, Roy Wilkins Recreation Center has also hosted the annual Art Exhibit at Roy Wilkins Park, showing work from black artists.{{Cite web|url=https://qns.com/story/2020/02/19/southeast-queens-organization-invites-community-to-grand-opening-reception-of-annual-art-exhibit-at-roy-wilkins-park/|title=Southeast Queens organization invites community to grand opening reception of annual art exhibit at Roy Wilkins Park|last=Mohamed|first=Carlotta|date=February 19, 2020|website=QNS.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221194033/https://qns.com/story/2020/02/19/southeast-queens-organization-invites-community-to-grand-opening-reception-of-annual-art-exhibit-at-roy-wilkins-park/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://queenseagle.com/all/annual-jamaica-pop-up-gallery-showcases-work-by-black-artists|title=Annual Jamaica pop-up gallery showcases work by black artists|last=Vick|first=Rachel|date=February 12, 2020|website=Queens Daily Eagle|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221194035/https://queenseagle.com/all/annual-jamaica-pop-up-gallery-showcases-work-by-black-artists|url-status=live}} In the past, Roy Wilkins Park has also hosted such events as the Family Festival,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/nyregion/playing-in-the-neighborhood-502996.html|title=Playing in the Neighborhood|last=McKinley|first=Jesse|date=August 13, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015210/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/nyregion/playing-in-the-neighborhood-502996.html|url-status=live}} a "Celebrating the Environment" festival,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/19/arts/centennial-weekend-queens.html|title=Centennial Weekend; Queens|date=June 19, 1998|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015228/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/19/arts/centennial-weekend-queens.html|url-status=live}} and the Queens Jazz Festival.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/22/arts/pop-jazz-stages-fill-the-great-outdoors.html|title=POP/JAZZ; Stages Fill The Great Outdoors|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=July 22, 1988|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015211/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/22/arts/pop-jazz-stages-fill-the-great-outdoors.html|url-status=live}}
Incidents
Roy Wilkins Park has been the site of numerous incidents and crimes. A body of a woman who had been missing for ten years was found in the park in 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/03/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-new-york-skeleton-found-in-park-is-of-long-lost-woman.html|title=METRO NEWS BRIEFS: NEW YORK; Skeleton Found in Park Is of Long-Lost Woman|date=June 3, 1998|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152400/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/03/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-new-york-skeleton-found-in-park-is-of-long-lost-woman.html|url-status=live}} Alvin Henry, an Olympic sprinter from Trinidad and Tobago, was accused in 2007 of at least two rapes in Roy Wilkins Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/olympic-sprinter-arrested-city-park-sex-assaults-article-1.265924|title=Former Olympic sprinter arrested in city park sex assaults|last1=Gendar|first1=Alison|first2=Oren|last2=Yaniv|first3=Bill|last3=Hutchinson|date=July 2, 2007|website=New York Daily News|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152544/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/olympic-sprinter-arrested-city-park-sex-assaults-article-1.265924|url-status=live}} Additionally, in 2014, a gang member was killed in the park by a member of a rival gang.{{Cite web|last=Bockmann|first=Rich|date=May 15, 2014|url=https://qns.com/story/2014/05/15/man-dies-after-weekend-shooting-in-roy-wilkins-park/|title=Man dies after weekend shooting in Roy Wilkins Park|website=QNS.com|language=en-US|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152926/https://qns.com/story/2014/05/15/man-dies-after-weekend-shooting-in-roy-wilkins-park/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/queens-man-26-charged-murdering-reported-bloods-member-article-1.1888126|title=Queens man, 26, charged with murdering reported Bloods member|last=Ng|first=Alfred|date=August 1, 2014|website=New York Daily News|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114152636/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/queens-man-26-charged-murdering-reported-bloods-member-article-1.1888126|url-status=live}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Roy Wilkins Park}}
- [https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/roy-wilkins-recreation-center NYC Parks website]
- [https://www.sqpa.org/ SQPA website]
{{Jamaica, Queens}}
{{Protected areas of New York City}}
{{New York City waterways}}
{{Authority control}}