For the Love of Rainey Park – Events Coming Up

Have you been by Rainey Park lately? It’s really a lovely park. But if you’re unfamiliar with it, I’d understand—it often gets overshadowed by its big sister to the north, Astoria Park and its neighbor, Socrates Park. A couple of events are coming up that focus in on this park, and we think you should know about them.

Rainey Park is located in the middle of the Astoria waterfront, sitting just south of the big Costco and north of a string of warehouses as well as Big Allis, the power plant in Dutch Kills. It was named after Dr. Thomas Rainey (1824-1910) of Ravenswood. He was big on bridges and and loved the Queensboro Bridge—and if things had gone differently, Rainey Park’s location would have served as the Queens anchor for the Blackwell Island Bridge, which was thwarted by the financial Panic of 1873.

Rainey Park today has great waterfront views, ball fields, bike paths, lots of grass, places to relax, and a cool playground inspired by Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi (appropriate, as the Noguchi Museum is around the corner from the park.

Green Shores NYC, one of Astoria’s community groups, has decided that Rainey Park needs some love (AKA capital improvements) and wants to shine a light on this waterfront gem. Here’s what’s happening:

• On Saturday, December 2 at 2pm there will be a FREE Rainey Park Walking Tour, led by local resident Ilana Teitel. You’ll learn about the park’s history and learn what kind of improvements it needs. Meet at the Park entrance on Vernon Blvd at 34th Ave. They’d like you to register first (probably so they know how many people to expect), and you can do that at mail@greenshoresnyc.org.
• On Sunday, December 10 from 2:30-5pm there will be a FREE drop-in Rainey Park Community Input Session at the Noguchi Museum (9-01 33rd Road at Vernon Blvd). You’ll have the opportunity to share your input about the current state and future of Rainey Park during this workshop. Super bonus: all participants will receive a complimentary pass to enjoy the museum and garden after participating in the brief workshop. That is a sweet, sweet deal. Be sure to let them know you are coming by emailing mail@greenshoresnyc.org. They can also provide you with more information and additional ways to get involved, too.

And if you can’t make it to either of these events—and even if you can—feel free to take this brief survey about Rainey Park. “Green Shores NYC wants to know how you use, feel about and want to see change (and remain the same) for the future of Rainey Park.” You can also share it with your fellow Astorians.

We hope you will spend some time getting to know Rainey Park and sharing your ideas as to how the park can be improved to benefit the greater community.