Editing Flushing Meadows–Corona Park (section)

==History==
===Early years===
During at least three [[glacial period]]s, including the [[Wisconsin glaciation]] around 20,000 years ago, ice sheets advanced south across [[North America]] carving [[moraine]]s, valleys, and hills. In particular, bays and [[estuaries]] were formed along the north shore of [[Long Island]]. During glaciation, what is now Flushing Meadows Park was formed just north of the [[terminal moraine]] that runs across Long Island, which consisted of sand, gravel, clay and boulders.<ref>{{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}; {{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=2}}; {{harvnb|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=3}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Mankiewicz|Mankiewicz|2002|p=31}}</ref> The moraine created a [[drainage divide]], with rivers north of the moraine such as the future [[Flushing River]] emptying into the north shore.{{sfn|Mankiewicz|Mankiewicz|2002|p=32}} The Flushing Meadows site became a glacial lake, and then a salt marsh after the ice melted.{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=2}} Prior to glaciation, the Flushing River valley was used by the [[Hudson River]] to drain southward into the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name="KissenaPk-WildSide-1988">{{cite web |last1=Feller |first1=Michael |title=Kissena Park: The Wild Side; A Guide to Its Natural Areas |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/nrg/documents/NRG_Publication_Kissena_Park_The_Wild_Side_A_Guide_to_its_Natural_Areas.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/nrg/documents/NRG_Publication_Kissena_Park_The_Wild_Side_A_Guide_to_its_Natural_Areas.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]], Natural Resources Group |access-date=June 2, 2018 |date=December 1988 |page=2−4}}</ref> Through the 19th century, the site continued to consist of wetlands straddling Flushing River.{{sfn|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}} Species inhabiting the site included [[waterfowl]] and [[fiddler crab]], with fish using water pools for spawning.{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=7}}

The area was first settled by [[Algonquian peoples|Algonquian]] Native Americans of Long Island (referred to erroneously as "[[Metoac|Mantinecocks]]").<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-History">{{cite web |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park: History |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/history |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] |access-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507123856/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/history |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="JacksonKeller2010">{{cite enc-nyc|page=462}}</ref> They consisted of the "Canarsee" and "Rockaway" [[Lenape]] groups,{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=5}} which inhabited coastal wetlands across Queens and Brooklyn.<ref name="JacksonKeller2010" /><ref>{{cite web |author1=Natural Resources Group |title=Natural Area Mapping and Inventory of Spring Creek 1988 Survey |url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/nrg/documents/Ecological_Assessment_Spring_Creek.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/nrg/documents/Ecological_Assessment_Spring_Creek.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[New York City Parks Department]] |access-date=November 18, 2015 |page=2}}</ref> Beginning in 1640, Dutch settlers moved into the area, establishing the town of Newtown to the west of the site (which would become [[Elmhurst, Queens|Elmhurst]], [[Corona, Queens|Corona]], and other areas in western Queens), and the town of Flushing to the east.<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-History"/> The meadows became known as the Corona Meadows.{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=8}} By 1666, the Native American population had been displaced from the Flushing Meadows site by European settlers, although a deed reserved the right to hunt on the land for the Native Americans. Several wealthy landowners began building farmhouses on the site in the mid-to-late 17th century. The meadows provided numerous natural resources for settlers, including timber, water, fertile soil, and grass and hay for grazing domestic animals.{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=8}} During the [[American Revolution]], a farmhouse on the site of the modern [[World's Fair Marina]] was used as a headquarters for British forces.<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-Marina">{{cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/10392 |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park: World's Fair Marina |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] |access-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407072820/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/10392 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Autumn.jpg|left|thumb|The park in fall]]

By the 1800s, primitive roads were established crossing the meadows, running along what are now [[Northern Boulevard]] and the [[Long Island Expressway]].{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|pp=8–9}} Several railroads were also laid through the site, including lines of the [[Flushing and North Side Railroad]] (today's LIRR [[Port Washington Branch]] and the defunct [[Whitestone Branch]]).{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=9}} Shortly after the [[American Civil War]], the meadows became a waterfront resort due to its natural beauty, and affluent New Yorkers constructed homes in the area.<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-History"/> British saloon-keeper [[Harry Hill (sportsman)|Harry Hill]] built the Flushing Bay Hotel and Pavilion on the future marina site.<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-Marina"/>

===Filling and use as a dumping ground===
Around 1907, contractor Michael Degnon, whose firm constructed the [[Williamsburg Bridge]], the [[Cape Cod Canal]], and the [[Steinway Tunnel|Steinway subway tunnel]] (used by today's {{NYCS trains|Flushing}}),<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=10}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=18}}</ref> purchased large tracts of marsh near Flushing Creek.<ref>{{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Steinberg|2015|p=211}}</ref><ref name="Seyfried1986">{{cite book |author=[[Vincent F. Seyfried]] |title=Corona: From Farmland to City Suburb, 1650–1935 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09CitgAACAAJ |access-date=April 8, 2017 |date=1986 |publisher=publisher not identified |pages=66–70}}</ref> At the time, the land was considered "all but worthless".{{sfn|Stage 1A Assessment|p=11}} Degnon envisioned using the site to create a large industrial port around [[Flushing Bay]], similar to a terminal he developed in [[Long Island City]].<ref name="Seyfried1986" /><ref>{{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=211}}; {{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=11}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}</ref> By 1911, Degnon had created a plan along with the [[United States Department of War]] and the Queens Topographical Bureau. The plan envisioned widening Flushing River and creating docks for ships, with numerous factories and freight facilities. Meanwhile, the residential areas of Corona were expected to become the primary residence for factory workers.{{sfn|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=18}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Paragraphs of Interest |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25204%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%25201911%2520Grayscale%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%25201911%2520Grayscale%2520-%25200469.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25204%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%25201911%2520Grayscale%2FNewtown%2520NY%2520Register%25201911%2520Grayscale%2520-%25200469.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=Newtown Register |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=September 28, 1911 |page=4 |quote=The announcement made this week that the contractors who have filled in the Flushing meadows intend to develop the water front&nbsp;...}}</ref>

[[File:Valley of Ashes.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Corona Ash Dumps, circa the early 1920s]]

To create the port, beginning in 1910 Degnon proceeded to fill the land using household [[coal ash]] and street sweepings from Brooklyn. Degnon set up two companies of his own, one of which was contracted with the [[New York City Department of Sanitation]].<ref name="Steinberg2011-SFP52-Stage1A11-Phase1A19-EIS1_10"/> He also contracted the Brooklyn Ash Removal Company, owned by [[John A. McCarthy (New York politician)|Fishhooks McCarthy]], a member of the corrupt [[Tammany Hall]] political machine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Daniel B. |date=November 28, 1999 |title=F.y.i. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/28/nyregion/fyi-574961.html |access-date=May 8, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234401/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/28/nyregion/fyi-574961.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Residential ash was collected via trolleys of the [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]], and loaded onto freight trains which traveled via the [[Long Island Rail Road]] branches, or other trolleys, which hauled the refuse to Corona.<ref name="Steinberg2011-SFP52-Stage1A11-Phase1A19-EIS1_10">{{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=211}}; {{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}; {{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=11}}; {{harvnb|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=19}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}</ref> The operation was referred to as a citywide refuse "conveyor belt", while the trains were nicknamed the "[[Talc|Talcum Powder]] Express" because they often ran uncovered and deposited soot onto the surroundings.<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=11}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Steinberg|2015|p=212}}</ref> The northern end of the site was filled via now-conventional means, using dirt pumped from Flushing Bay which was being dredged to a lower depth. Material from the bay was extracted by an offshore hydraulic machine, and funneled through a {{convert|1500|ft|m|adj=on}} pipe across Northern Boulevard, before being deposited onto the wetlands.<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=13}}; {{harvnb|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=23}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}</ref> The filling for the north meadow was complete in 1916.{{sfn|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}

The prospect of creating a port was halted in 1917 by material restrictions caused by [[World War I]], and a lack of federal support for the project. Industrial activities in the borough were fulfilled by existing terminals in Long Island City, [[Maspeth, Queens|Maspeth]], Flushing, and College Point.<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=14}}; {{harvnb|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=26}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}</ref> Dumping of ash into the meadows continued, however, fueled by the increased use of garbage incinerators in the city.{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=213}} The area became known as the Corona Dump or Corona Ash Dumps.<ref>{{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=212}};
{{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}}</ref> During nearly 30 years of filling, around 50&nbsp;million cubic yards of ash and waste were dumped onto the meadows site.<ref>{{harvnb|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅10}};
{{harvnb|ps=.|Willets Point DEIS|2013|p=1⋅3}}</ref> One particular mound of ash rose {{convert|90|ft|m}} high and was called "Mount Corona".<ref>{{harvnb|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World|2015}}; {{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=212}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}</ref> Other mounds rose {{convert|40|-|50|ft|m}} high.<ref name="NYTimes-WF-Jun1936"/> The average thickness of the ash was {{convert|30|ft|m}}.{{sfn|Willets Point DEIS|2013|p=1⋅3}}

The dumps drew the ire of local residents, due to strong odors and being deemed unsightly, along with increasing rat infestations in the local neighborhoods.<ref>{{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=213}}; {{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}; {{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|pp=14–15}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Willets Point DEIS|2013|p=1⋅3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=WAR DECLARED UPON RATS.; Extermination of Pests in Corona and Elmhurst Ordered by Copeland. |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E4DA1E30E433A25757C0A9679D946195D6CF&legacy=true |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 4, 1920 |archive-date=November 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122132404/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E4DA1E30E433A25757C0A9679D946195D6CF&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref> Much of the "street sweepings" collected consisted of horse [[manure]] from horse-drawn carriages. In addition, many residents simply threw out normal garbage along with the coal ashes.<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|p=12}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=21}}</ref> The meadows were also considered one of the worst breeding grounds for mosquitoes in the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=217}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Willets Point DEIS|2013|p=1⋅3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Health Department Wars on Mosquitos; Great Number of Pests Laid to Heavy Rains |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/08/20/archives/health-department-wars-on-mosquitos-great-number-of-pests-laid-to.html |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 20, 1925 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616002002/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/08/20/archives/health-department-wars-on-mosquitos-great-number-of-pests-laid-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The dump was famously characterized as "a valley of ashes" in [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]'s ''[[The Great Gatsby]]''.<ref>{{harvnb|Stage 1A Assessment|pp=14–15}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Strategic Framework Plan|p=52}}</ref> Fitzgerald meanwhile described the Flushing River, now polluted from the dumps, as "a small foul river".{{sfn|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World|2015|p=5}} The dumps and garbage trains were accused of facilitating a [[Poliomyelitis|polio]] outbreak in Corona in 1916.{{sfn|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=24}} The Brooklyn Ash Removal Company was brought to court by local residents in 1923 for "violation of the sanitary code" due to the smoke emitted from the dumps.<ref>{{cite news |title=Smoke Nuisance Charge: Case Against Brooklyn Ash Removal Company Is Adjourned |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1923/09/14/105931103.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1923/09/14/105931103.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 14, 1923}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ash Company Held on Nuisance Charge: Special Sessions Court to Act on Maintenance of Corona Meadows Smudge |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%25201923%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%25201923%2520-%25207805.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%25201923%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Standard%2520Union%25201923%2520-%25207805.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[Brooklyn Standard Union]] |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=September 26, 1923 |page=14}}</ref> As a minor concession, the company opened the Corona Park Golf and Country Club in 1931, on a tract near Nassau Boulevard (today's Long Island Expressway).{{sfn|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World|2015|p=5}}<ref>{{cite news |title=PLAN GOLF COURSES IN CORONA MEADOWS; Brooklyn Owners to Convert Land Into a Sport Centre. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/07/22/archives/plan-golf-courses-in-corona-meadows-brooklyn-owners-to-convert-land.html |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 22, 1929 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616002000/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/07/22/archives/plan-golf-courses-in-corona-meadows-brooklyn-owners-to-convert-land.html |url-status=live}}</ref> When [[Etihad Park (New York City)|Etihad Park]] was built for [[Major League Soccer]] team [[New York City FC]], "The Valley of Ashes" became one of the stadium's nicknames because of its proximity to the dump's site.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leigh |first1=Andrew |title=Reader Poll: Welcome to The Valley of Ashes |url=https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/nycfc-stadium-new-york-city-fc-stadium-willets-point-nickname-valley-of-ashes/ |website=Hudson River Blue |access-date=June 6, 2024 |date=May 3, 2024}}</ref>

===Park planning and World's Fairs===
====1939–1940 Fair and aftermath====
{{main|1939 New York World's Fair}}
[[File:USA, New York Fortepan 16945.jpg|thumb|The [[1939 New York World's Fair]]|alt=see caption]]
New York City Parks Commissioner [[Robert Moses]] first conceived the idea of developing a large park in Flushing Meadow in the 1920s.{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=1083}} At the time, he envisioned the site to become a "true '[[Central Park]]'", especially with much of city population moving to Queens and Long Island due to [[urban sprawl]]. Moses also planned Flushing Meadows to be the westernmost of a chain of parks running across Queens, which would include [[Kissena Park]], [[Cunningham Park]], [[Alley Pond Park]], and [[Douglaston Park]].<ref>{{harvnb|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=56}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅11}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-FMCP-Jun1967"/> In 1929, representatives from surrounding communities created a plan to turn the ash dump into a recreational complex, and presented them to Queens Borough President [[George U. Harvey]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Harvey Asked to Make Park Out Of Dump: Community Councils Suggest Development of Wasteland |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201929%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201929%2520-%25204247.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201929%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201929%2520-%25204247.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=Long Island Daily Press |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=September 11, 1929}}</ref>

In 1930, Moses released plans for numerous parks and highways in the city. This included the [[Grand Central Parkway]], the construction of which would require taking land from the ash dumps. One of the provisional projects listed was a "Flushing River Park", along with a "Flushing River Parkway".{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=213}}<ref name="NYTimes-NewCityPks-Moses-Feb1930">{{cite web |title=ASKS NEW CITY PARKS TO COST $20,000,000; Metropolitan Conference Urges Prompt Purchases, Chiefly in Queens and Richmond. BERRY GETS HONOR SCROLL Calls for a 'Normal' Pace in Public Projects and Predicts Agency to Coordinate Them |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D06E3DF1E39E43ABC4E51DFB466838B629EDE |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 19, 2015 |date=February 26, 1930 |archive-date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122074425/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D06E3DF1E39E43ABC4E51DFB466838B629EDE |url-status=live}}</ref> The Brooklyn Ash Removal Company's contract with the city expired in 1933,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/12/30/archives/city-ash-removal-halted-by-court-brooklyn-company-gets-stay-to.html |title=City Ash Removal Halted by Court; Brooklyn Company Gets Stay to Prevent Municipality Operating Its Plants |date=December 30, 1933 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 27, 2017 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725214405/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/12/30/archives/city-ash-removal-halted-by-court-brooklyn-company-gets-stay-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/01/09/archives/city-now-removing-ashes-in-brooklyn-companys-agreement-to-drop-suit.html |title=CITY NOW REMOVING ASHES IN BROOKLYN; Company's Agreement to Drop Suit Speeds Municipal Operation of Three Plants |date=January 9, 1934 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 27, 2017 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215324/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/01/09/archives/city-now-removing-ashes-in-brooklyn-companys-agreement-to-drop-suit.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the city took over the company's assets and operations on May 25, 1934.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/12246 |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Lawrence Playground |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] |access-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330175627/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/12246 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Soper |first1=George R. |title=DISPOSAL OF WASTE AN URGENT PROBLEM; Supreme Court Order Against Dumping at Sea Points the Need for Incinerators READY FOR DUMPING |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E0DA133EE53ABC4052DFB566838F629EDE&legacy=true |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 18, 1934 |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105556/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E0DA133EE53ABC4052DFB566838F629EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ASH COMPANY VALUE UNDER CITY INQUIRY; Proposed Purchase of Brooklyn Concern Brings Charge of $1,000,000 'Hijacking' Plan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/10/archives/ash-company-value-under-city-inquiry-proposed-purchase-of-brooklyn.html |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 10, 1934 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215634/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/10/archives/ash-company-value-under-city-inquiry-proposed-purchase-of-brooklyn.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Brooklyn Ash property occupied around {{convert|300|acre|ha}} of the {{convert|1,000|acre|ha|adj=on}} site, north of what is now the Long Island Expressway.<ref>{{harvnb|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=7}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Steinberg|2015|p=213}}</ref> The remainder of the meadows still contained natural wildlife. It was frequented by fur trappers, local residents collecting firewood and growing vegetables, and later, squatters during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]].{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=217}} Areas of the dumps were also used for growing vegetables, with the soil fertilized by the garbage and manure.{{sfn|Phase 1A Report|1985|p=22}}

In 1935, the site, now planned as "Flushing Meadow Park", was selected for what would become the 1939 World's Fair.<ref name="GreatWorlFair">{{cite news |title=Great World Fair for City in 1939 on Site In Queens;...City To Lend New Park |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 23, 1935 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/23/archives/great-world-fair-for-city-in-1939-on-site-in-queens-cost-to-be.html |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073005/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/23/archives/great-world-fair-for-city-in-1939-on-site-in-queens-cost-to-be.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the ash dumps and undeveloped meadows, houses in Corona east of 111th Street, adjacent to the dumps, were condemned and added to the site, displacing residents.<ref>{{harvnb|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=8}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Steinberg|2015|p=218}}</ref><ref name="Kadinsky2016" /> The plans were drafted by Parks Department landscape architect [[Gilmore David Clarke]] and his partner Michael Rapuano, designed in [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] style.{{sfn|Unisphere|1995|p=1}}<ref name="NYCPk-FMCP-Unisphere">{{cite web |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Unisphere |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/12761 |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] |access-date=April 3, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201230918/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/12761 |url-status=live}}</ref> Work on the World's Fair site began on June 16, 1936.<ref name="NYTimes-WF-Jun1936">{{cite news |title=Work at Fair Site Begins Without Ceremony; 700 Job-Seekers On Hand, 500 to Be Hired |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/06/16/archives/work-at-fair-site-begins-without-ceremony-700-jobseekers-on-hand.html |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 16, 1936 |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123121416/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B07E7DC113FEE3BBC4E52DFB066838D629EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref> The project primarily involved leveling the ash mounds, with the leftover material used to fill other areas of the meadow. Two sites were excavated to create Meadow and Willow Lake, while much of the Flushing River was diverted into underground [[culverts]]. A [[floodgate]] was built to prevent [[tide|tidal flow]] from flooding the lakes.<ref>{{harvnb|Caro|1974|p=1085}}; {{harvnb|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World|2015|p=5}};  {{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=213}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Strategic Framework Plan|pp=37, 52}}</ref><ref name="IFLA-FlushingTheMeadows">{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Sarah |title=Flushing the Meadows – Relaxing a post-World's Fair Urban Landscape |url=http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[International Federation of Landscape Architects]] |access-date=March 31, 2017 |date=2006 |page=3}}</ref> In addition to recreation, the lakes would serve as repositories for excess storm runoff.{{sfn|Mankiewicz|Mankiewicz|2002|p=9}} The dirt from the lake sites was used as additional topsoil for the park.<ref name="NYTimes-QnsPkRising-1936">{{cite news |title=Vast Queens Park Rising on Fair Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html |access-date=April 4, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 6, 1936 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073023/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The project was an around-the-clock job, with 450 workers operating on three daily shifts.{{sfn|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World |2015|p=7}}<ref name="NYTimes-WF-Jun1936" /><ref>{{cite news |title='Cut and Fill' Grading of World's Fair Site Reported More Than One-Third Complete |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE6D7143DE33BBC4952DFB667838D629EDE&legacy=true |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 11, 1936 |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105823/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE6D7143DE33BBC4952DFB667838D629EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Task of Filling World's Fair Site Will Be Pushed Night and Day; Moving of 7,000,000 Cubic Yards of Ashes and Soil Will Be in Full Swing Next Week – Two Lakes to Be Dug as Part of Work to Last till Next March |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/08/archives/task-of-filling-worlds-fair-site-will-be-pushed-night-and-day.html |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 8, 1936 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215424/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/08/archives/task-of-filling-worlds-fair-site-will-be-pushed-night-and-day.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Workers had to combat the effects of high tide, and dust storms created by the ash. The work significantly changed the topography of the meadows, differing from that created by glaciation. Thousands of trees were transplanted to the fair site in order to create a natural landscape. Meanwhile, thousands of {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Douglas fir]] timbers were driven into the ground to act as [[pilings]] for the foundations of the fair structures.{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=219}} The pedestrian plan called for numerous wide tree-lined pathways, including a central "Cascade Mall" leading to the [[Trylon and Perisphere]], many of which would be retained for the park.<ref name="NYTimes-QnsPkRising-1936" />

Faced with having to dispose of the mountains of ashes, Moses incorporated a significant portion of the refuse into the bases of several roadways that bordered or bisected the park.<ref name=30YrsP8-SteinbergP214/> This included the [[Van Wyck Expressway]] ([[Interstate 678]]) running along the eastern side of the park, the nearby Interboro Parkway (now [[Jackie Robinson Parkway]]), and the [[Long Island Expressway]] ([[Interstate 495 (New York)|Interstate 495]]) that divides the park into north and south halves.  The [[Grand Central Parkway]] separates a western lobe from the main part of the northern half, while the east-west Jewel Avenue bisects the southern half.<ref name=30YrsP64-HPSP126-SFPP14/> The success of the Flushing Meadows site as a garbage dump-turned-park led Moses and the city to develop other wetlands in the city into parks via short-term refuse landfilling. This process was used to create [[Marine Park (Brooklyn park)|Marine Park]] and [[Spring Creek Park]] in Brooklyn, and [[Ferry Point Park]] in the Bronx. This was also the original plan for the [[Fresh Kills Landfill|Fresh Kills]] and [[Edgemere Landfill|Edgemere]] landfills, which remained open past their expected tenure and became large and long-term municipal waste sites.<ref name=30YrsP8-SteinbergP214>{{harvnb|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=8}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Steinberg|2015|p=214}}</ref><ref name="LIStar-SpCrkPk-Landfill-Jan1962">{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Michael |title=Garbage Dump Today, Park Tomorrow |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201962%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201962%2520-%25200097.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201962%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201962%2520-%25200097.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=January 7, 2017 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=January 4, 1962}}</ref> The Fresh Kills site was developed into [[Freshkills Park]] in the early 21st century.{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=321}}

{{multiple image
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 | image1            = 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 - Department of Parks - 300th anniversary of the City of New York - New York World's Fair. (1964) (16639606536).jpg
 | image2            = 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 - Department of Parks - 300th anniversary of the City of New York - New York World's Fair. (1964) (16458228567).jpg
 | footer_align      = left
 | footer            = Aerial views of the fair grounds during the 1964 World's Fair.
}}

In November 1939, a [[water main]] running through Flushing Meadows Park to supply water to Flushing failed. Unlike the fair buildings, the pipeline was not built on piling foundations and eventually sank into the marsh and landfill. In January 1940, Borough President Harvey demanded an investigation into the main's construction take place, while the Board of Estimate allocated $50,200 for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Harvey Demands Probe of Sinking Fair Site Main; Water Pipe Laid in Mud, He Declares; Board Approves $50,200 Fund For Needed Repairs |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201940%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201940%2520-%25200260.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D7a944da0%26DocId%3D4290782%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D2%26hits%3D103%2B5f0%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201940%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201940%2520-%25200260.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D7a944da0%26DocId%3D4290782%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D2%26hits%3D103%2B5f0%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D7a944da0%26DocId%3D4290782%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D2%26hits%3D103%2B5f0%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=August 8, 2018 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=January 19, 1940 |page=9}}</ref> Following the closure of the Fair in 1940, the site was supposed to be cleared in order to develop and open Flushing Meadows as a city park. The onset of [[World War II]], however, delayed the project.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ready to Turn Fair Into Park; Moses Tells Mayor His Plans Are Set |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201940%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201940%2520a%2520-%25204231.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201940%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201940%2520a%2520-%25204231.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=[[The Sun (New York)]] |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=August 15, 1940 |page=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flushing Meadow |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201949%2FLong%2520Island%2520%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201949%2520-%25204917.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201949%2FLong%2520Island%2520%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201949%2520-%25204917.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=July 13, 1949 |page=4}}</ref> The profits from the World's Fair were supposed to pay for the development of the park, but in spite of its success the fair turned a financial loss.{{sfn|Unisphere|1995|p=3}} Only two permanent attractions were opened in 1941: an ice skating rink and roller rink<ref>{{cite news |title=Moses Seeks $134,073 For Meadow Park Pay |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201941%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201941%2520-%25200695.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201941%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201941%2520-%25200695.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=April 26, 2017 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |via=[[Old Fulton New York Postcards]] |date=February 15, 1941}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-ParkRising-1941">{{cite news |last1=Markland |first1=John |title=Park Rising on Fair Site: New Skating Rinks Are First Development in a Vast Project |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE3DB113AE33BBC4153DFB466838A659EDE&legacy=true |access-date=April 26, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=February 9, 1941 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003959/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE3DB113AE33BBC4153DFB466838A659EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref> in the [[Queens Museum|New York City Building]],<ref name="QnsMuseum"/> and a public pool located in the [[New York State Marine Amphitheatre]] (now demolished).<ref>{{cite news |title=Pool to Be Opened on Aquacade Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/14/archives/pool-to-be-opened-on-aquacade-site-state-amphitheatre-also-will.html |access-date=April 26, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=July 14, 1941 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215017/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/14/archives/pool-to-be-opened-on-aquacade-site-state-amphitheatre-also-will.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The latter utilized the pool used for ''[[Billy Rose's Aquacade]]'' during the fair.<ref>{{harvnb|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=13}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|NYC Parks Tomorrow's World|2015|p=29}}</ref>

In the meantime, some of the buildings from the 1939 Fair were used for the first temporary headquarters of the [[United Nations]] beginning in 1946. The former New York City Building was used for the UN General Assembly during this time.<ref>{{harvnb|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|pp=14–15}}; {{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=53}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅11}}</ref><ref name="NYTImes-Moses-Fair-Ap1966">{{cite news |title=FOUL LOT to FAIR: A SAGA by MOSES |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E0CEED81F30EF34BC4952DFB266838D679EDE&legacy=true |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=April 11, 1966 |archive-date=November 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122062437/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E0CEED81F30EF34BC4952DFB266838D679EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="QnsMuseum">{{cite web |url=http://www.queensmuseum.org/building-history |title=Building History |publisher=Queens Museum |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426055704/http://www.queensmuseum.org/building-history |url-status=dead}}</ref> Moses attempted to sell Flushing Meadows as a permanent headquarters for the UN, which would have required new structures and a complete redesign of the fair ground layout. The proposal was rejected however, due to concerns over the strength of the former marshland for building construction, the lack of "scenic beauty" in the meadows, and the distance from Manhattan. The UN moved to their [[United Nations headquarters|now-permanent headquarters]] in 1951.<ref>{{harvnb|Caro|1974|p=1085}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=21}}; {{cite book |last=Mires |first=Charlene |title=Capital of the World: The Race to Host the United Nations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDAVCgAAQBAJ&pg=PP3 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |date=April 8, 2015 |publisher=[[New York University Press]] |isbn=978-1-4798-3375-7 |pages=196, 199}}</ref> The New York City building was later refurbished for the 1964/1965 Fair as the New York City Pavilion, featuring the ''[[Panorama of the City of New York]]'', an enormous scale model of the entire city.{{sfn|Historic Preservation Studio |2015|p=24}}<ref name="QnsMuseum"/><ref>[http://www.queensmuseum.org/exhibitions/visitpanorama The Panorama of the City of New York] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312124553/http://www.queensmuseum.org/exhibitions/visitpanorama |date=March 12, 2013}}. Queens Museum of Art. Retrieved May 16, 2012.</ref> It is one of two buildings that survive from the 1939/40 Fair, and the only one that remains in its original location.{{sfn|Strategic Framework Plan|p=53}} (The other is the [[Belgian Building|Belgium exhibition building]], disassembled and moved to the campus of [[Virginia Union University]] in 1941.{{sfn|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=18}}) It is now the home of the [[Queens Museum of Art]], which still houses, and occasionally updates, the ''Panorama''.<ref name="QnsMuseum"/> The remainder of the park, meanwhile, had fallen into disrepair, with wild animals moving back into the area.<ref name="NYTImes-Moses-Fair-Ap1966"/> Only minor upgrades to the park occurred during this time.{{sfn|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|pp=18–19}}

====1964–1965 Fair====
{{Main|1964 New York World's Fair}}
[[File:New York World's Fair August 1964.jpeg|thumb|The [[Unisphere]] at the [[1964 New York World's Fair|1964/1965 World's Fair]]|alt=see caption]]

The Flushing Meadows site was selected in 1959 as the site of the 1964 World's Fair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Illson |first=Murray |date=September 11, 1959 |title=Moses Shows Officials How Site of '64 World's Fair Could Be Expanded |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/09/11/archives/moses-shows-officials-how-site-of-64-worlds-fair-could-be-expanded.html |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522003842/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/09/11/archives/moses-shows-officials-how-site-of-64-worlds-fair-could-be-expanded.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement |1994|p=1⋅11}} Gilmore D. Clarke and Michael Rapuano were retained to tailor the original 1939 park layout for the new fair.<ref>{{harvnb|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=16}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Unisphere|1995|p=3}}</ref> Three structures were retained from the 1939 Fair. Meanwhile, several new structures and attractions were built for the 1964 fair, including the [[Unisphere]], [[Shea Stadium]], the [[New York Hall of Science]], and [[Queens Botanical Garden]].<ref>{{harvnb|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=57}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Strategic Framework Plan|p=53}}</ref> The Unisphere, built as the theme symbol for the 1964/1965 World's Fair, has since become the main sculptural feature of the park.<ref>{{harvnb|Strategic Framework Plan|p=54}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Unisphere|1995|p=1}}</ref> It stands on the site occupied by the [[Trylon and Perisphere|Perisphere]] during the earlier Fair.{{sfn|Unisphere|1995|pp=1, 3}} The Van Wyck Expressway was extended north through the park site along the right-of-way of the former [[World's Fair Railroad]].{{sfn|Mankiewicz|Mankiewicz|2002|p=35}} Moses and the Parks Department also prepared post-fair plans to finish Flushing Meadows Park, as well as Kissena Corridor Park and Kissena Park, projected to be complete by 1967.<ref>{{harvnb|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=57}}; {{cite book |last=Moses |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Moses |title=Flushing Meadow and Beyond; Post World's Fair Program; Progress Report |date=July 14, 1964 |publisher=[[1964 New York World's Fair|New York World's Fair 1964–1965 Corporation]] |url=http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/fair-corp/post-fair-progress-7-14-64.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/fair-corp/post-fair-progress-7-14-64.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 31, 2017 |page=11}}</ref>

In early 1964, the New York City Council added "[[Corona, Queens|Corona]]" to the park's name; the park was now named "Flushing Meadows–Corona Park", in preparation for that year's World's Fair.  Councilman [[Edward L. Sadowsky|Edward Sadowsky]] explained that this was intended to correct an injustice: "The people of Corona have long lived in the aroma of a junkyard or a dump named for their community.  Now, when there is something beautiful to be seen, there is no mention of the name Corona."<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/05/bill-adds-corona-to-fair-sites-name.html |title=Bill Adds 'Corona' to Fair Site's Name |date=February 5, 1964 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113113505/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/05/bill-adds-corona-to-fair-sites-name.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the fair, most buildings from the fair were demolished. Some were relocated, such as the [[Wisconsin Pavilion]], [[Uniroyal Giant Tire]], and [[Golden Rondelle Theater]], while others remained in the park, such as the Unisphere, Hall of Science, [[New York State Pavilion]], and [[United States Pavilion]].<ref name="Cohn 1967">{{cite news |last=Cohn |first=Al |date=June 24, 1967 |title=What Ever Happened to the World's Fair |work=Newsday |page=14W |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915293358}}}}</ref> Most of the remaining $11.6&nbsp;million from the fair funds, as well as money from Moses' [[Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority]], were used to rehabilitate the site into a true park.<ref>{{harvnb|Caro|1974|p=1085}}; {{harvnb|PANYNJ Airport Transit Environmental Impact Statement|1994|p=1⋅11}}; {{harvnb|ps=.|Unisphere|1995|p=4}}</ref> City officials proposed repurposing the site as a "sports park" in 1966;<ref name="nyt-1966-08-22">{{Cite news |last=Lissner |first=Will |date=August 22, 1966 |title=City Considering a Sports Park Over Most of World's Fair Site; Modeled on Center in Tokyo, It Would Be Adaptable for Future World Olympics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/08/22/archives/city-considering-a-sports-park-over-most-of-worlds-fair-site.html |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516225106/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/08/22/archives/city-considering-a-sports-park-over-most-of-worlds-fair-site.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ultimately, the Parks Department took back ownership of the site, which opened on June 3, 1967.<ref name="NYTimes-FMCP-Jun1967">{{Cite news |last=Schumach |first=Murray |date=June 4, 1967 |title=Moses Gives City Fair Site as Park; Flushing Meadows in Queens Becomes the 2d Biggest Recreation Area Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407072907/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Late 20th century===
{{multiple image
| align = left
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 500
| image1 = FLushingPark5909.JPG
| caption1 = "Free Form" by Jose De Rivera, cast in 1964
| image2 = Swans & people statue FMCP jeh.jpg
| caption2 = "Freedom of the Human Spirit" by Marshall Fredericks, cast circa 1964
| image3 = FLMeCoPark8023.JPG
| caption3 = "''[[Rocket Thrower]]''" by [[Donald De Lue]], commissioned for the [[1964 New York World's Fair|1964/1965 New York World's Fair]]
}}
Although the park was opened, it had yet to become the grand park Moses had originally envisioned.{{sfn|Caro|1974|pp=1086–1087}} In August 1967, new parks commissioner [[August Heckscher II]] sought to begin improvements on the park in order to turn it into the "Central Park of the 20th century". A new plan for the park had been designed by architects [[Marcel Breuer]] and [[Kenzō Tange]], but the project did not receive funds due to communication issues with the [[New York City Comptroller]]'s office.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Paul |title=PARK IN FLUSHING GETS TOP PRIORITY; Heckscher Hopes to Make It the 'Park of the Century' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/08/28/archives/park-in-flushing-gets-top-priority-heckscher-hopes-to-make-it-the.html |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 28, 1967 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073155/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/08/28/archives/park-in-flushing-gets-top-priority-heckscher-hopes-to-make-it-the.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Huxtable |first1=Ada Louise |title=Flushing Meadows Park Plan Delayed by Auditing; AUDITING DELAYS PARK IN FLUSHING |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07E6DC163BE637A25751C1A96E9C946691D6CF&legacy=true |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 12, 1967 |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009093404/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07E6DC163BE637A25751C1A96E9C946691D6CF&legacy=true |url-status=live}}</ref> By 1972, little development had taken place to improve the park, while many World's Fair structures remained in disrepair.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Samuel |title=Future of the Fair Site Still Debated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/10/archives/future-of-the-fair-site-still-debated.html |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 10, 1972 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073205/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/10/archives/future-of-the-fair-site-still-debated.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-FMCP-Dec1978"/> The disrepair was systematic within the park system, a product of lack of funding during that decade's [[New York City fiscal crisis|fiscal crisis]].{{sfn|Historic Preservation Studio|2015|p=19}} This state of disrepair continued into the 1980s.<ref name="ChiTribune-FMCP-Wasteland">{{cite news |last1=Coakley |first1=Michael |title='64 Flushing Meadows Fair Site Becomes $1 Billion Wasteland |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/06/24/page/3/article/64-flushing-meadows-fair-site-becomes-1-billion-wasteland/index.html |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=August 24, 1984 |location=[[New York City]] |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330180509/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1984/06/24/page/3/article/64-flushing-meadows-fair-site-becomes-1-billion-wasteland/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1975, a group of [[Traditionalist Catholicism|traditionalist Catholics]] started to assemble at the old Vatican Pavilion [[exedra]] monument of the 1964 New York World's Fair to have evening [[rosary]] prayer vigils, having been obligated to relocate from [[Bayside, Queens]]. This was led by a woman named [[Veronica Lueken]] who claimed she was experiencing [[Visions of Jesus and Mary|visions]] there of the [[Virgin Mary]], and giving out supposed messages from heaven, frequently apocalyptic in nature.<ref name=Laycock2014>{{cite book |last=Laycock |first=J.P. |title=The Seer of Bayside: Veronica Lueken and the Struggle to Define Catholicism |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-19-937968-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WVZwBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT14 |page=14 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001175647/https://books.google.com/books?id=WVZwBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT14 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=nyt20031009>{{Cite news |last=Kilgannon |first=Corey |date=October 9, 2003 |title=Visions of Doom Endure in Queens; Prophecy, And a Rift, At a Shrine |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/09/nyregion/visions-of-doom-endure-in-queens-prophecy-and-a-rift-at-a-shrine.html |access-date=March 29, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411045652/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/09/nyregion/visions-of-doom-endure-in-queens-prophecy-and-a-rift-at-a-shrine.html |url-status=live}}</ref> At its height in the late 20th century, thousands of people attended the nightly events, held on different [[feast days]].<ref name=nyt20031009/> One event in June 1983 attracted fifteen thousand pilgrims.<ref name=Laycock2014/> Despite the events' popularity, Bishop [[Francis Mugavero]], then Bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn]], stated in a 1986 "Declaration Concerning the Bayside Movement" that the events lacked credibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mugavero |first=Francis |date=November 4, 1986 |title=Declaration Concerning the 'Bayside Movement' |url=https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/declaration-concerning-the-bayside-movement-11313 |url-status=live |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=EWTN Global Catholic Television Network |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323020955/https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/declaration-concerning-the-bayside-movement-11313}}</ref><ref name="NYC Department of Records & Information Services 2019">{{cite web |date=December 20, 2019 |title=The Seer of Bayside |url=https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2019/12/20/the-seer-of-bayside |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=NYC Department of Records & Information Services |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304134326/https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2019/12/20/the-seer-of-bayside |url-status=live}}</ref> After Lueken's death in 1995, and her husband's death in 2002, their followers divided into two small camps that continued to visit the park for vigils.<ref name=nyt20031009/><ref name="NYC Department of Records & Information Services 2019" />

Additionally, in 1978, the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] tennis tournament was moved from the [[West Side Tennis Club]] in [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The tournament was originally held in the [[Singer Bowl]] stadium (renamed the [[Louis Armstrong Stadium]]), a 1964 World's Fair structure which was renovated and expanded for the tournament. Other parts of the park were also repaired or expanded for the tournament, including the fountains of the Unisphere.<ref name="NYTimes-FMCP-Dec1978">{{cite news |last1=Shaman |first1=Diana |title=In Corona, They Look for a Lift From Tennis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/03/archives/in-corona-they-look-for-a-lift-from-tennis-corona-looks-for-a.html |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 3, 1978 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726170228/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/03/archives/in-corona-they-look-for-a-lift-from-tennis-corona-looks-for-a.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Open Site Goes Public for '78 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/28/archives/us-open-site-goes-public-for-78.html |access-date=March 30, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 28, 1977 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726171030/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/28/archives/us-open-site-goes-public-for-78.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Arne Abramowitz became administrator of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in 1986 and soon began planning a renovation of the park.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rivera |first=Elaine |date=December 30, 1986 |title=New Park Chief Building a Career in Open Spaces |pages=21 |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217784/new-park-chief-building-a-career-in/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217784/new-park-chief-building-a-career-in/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, NYC Parks announced an $80 million rehabilitation of the park.<ref name="nyt19871119">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Susan Heller |date=November 19, 1987 |title=Park in Queens to Get $80 Million Restoration |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/nyregion/park-in-queens-to-get-80-million-restoration.html |access-date=July 26, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161015/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/nyregion/park-in-queens-to-get-80-million-restoration.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nydn19870920">{{Cite news |last=Neugebauer |first=William |date=September 20, 1987 |title=It May Be the Jewel in City Park Crown |pages=318, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216838/flushing-meadows/ 319] |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216761/it-may-be-the-jewel-in-city-park-crown/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216761/it-may-be-the-jewel-in-city-park-crown/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The renovation had been planned since the early 1980s but had been deferred due to a lack of funding.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Polsky |first=Carol |date=August 9, 1988 |title=Flushing Meadows Stuck in Park |pages=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216396/queens-park-lurches-forward/ 24] |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216298/flushing-meadows-stuck-in-park/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161010/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82216298/flushing-meadows-stuck-in-park/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The grounds of the park's northern section were landscaped in 1992,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newkirk |first=Pamela |date=May 17, 1992 |title=Overdue Facelift for Park in Works |pages=207, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217132/ 216], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217226/ 217] |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217067/overdue-facelift-for-park-in-works/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |via=newspapers.com {{Open access}} |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726161013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82217067/overdue-facelift-for-park-in-works/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the restoration of the Unisphere was completed in May 1994.<ref name="Huang 1994">{{cite news |last=Huang |first=Vivian |date=June 1, 1994 |title=Let Us Spray for Unisphere |page=293 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447214/ |access-date=November 4, 2019 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123222859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38447214/let-us-spray-for-unisphere/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Muschamp 1994">{{Cite news |last=Muschamp |first=Herbert |date=September 2, 1994 |title=Summer's Last Hurrah: The Final Fling Before the Fall; Recircling the Globe |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/02/arts/summer-s-last-hurrah-the-final-fling-before-the-fall-recircling-the-globe.html |access-date=November 4, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019233411/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/02/arts/summer-s-last-hurrah-the-final-fling-before-the-fall-recircling-the-globe.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By the mid-1990s, NYC Parks was planning to spend another $19 million to rebuild fountains, build a new ramp to the [[Willets Point Boulevard station]], add three entrances and a cultural walk, and enlarge the Hall of Science.<ref name="p278790201">{{cite news |last=Cheng |first=Mae M. |date=October 9, 1994 |title=Changing of the Yard Flushing Meadows Is Getting a Facelift – But Some Don't like What They See |work=Newsday |page=A100 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278790201}}}}</ref> The Aquacade amphitheater, which had decayed extensively,<ref name="New York Daily News h163">{{cite web |date=April 3, 1995 |title=Bid to Salvage Aquacade |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1995/04/03/bid-to-salvage-aquacade/ |access-date=May 22, 2024 |website=New York Daily News |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Holloway |first=Lynette |date=June 6, 1995 |title=Love in the Ruins; Preservationists Fight to Save Crumbling Queens Aquacade |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/06/nyregion/love-in-the-ruins-preservationists-fight-to-save-crumbling-queens-aquacade.html |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> was demolished in 1996.<ref name="Marzlock j896">{{cite web |last=Marzlock |first=Ron |date=March 22, 2012 |title=The Fair's Million-Dollar Aquacade |url=https://www.qchron.com/qboro/i_have_often_walked/the-fair-s-million-dollar-aquacade/article_185ee7eb-bb73-52f4-84a3-b537ebba079a.html |access-date=May 22, 2024 |website=Queens Chronicle}}</ref> [[Arthur Ashe Stadium]] opened in the park in 1997, replacing a smaller stadium.<ref name="p398588758">{{cite news |last=Klein |first=Frederick C.  |date=August 29, 1997 |title=On Sports: Plenty of Lunch Seating, But U.S. Open Stadium Isn't All for the Masses |work=The Wall Street Journal |pages=B, 4:1 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398588758}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=August 26, 1997 |title=New Ashe Stadium Opens With a Big First Serve |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/26/sports/new-ashe-stadium-opens-with-a-big-first-serve.html |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In addition, mosaic medallions commemorating the World's Fair were installed at David Dinkins Circle in 1998; it is unknown who designed the mosaics.<ref name="Perlman x004">{{cite web |last=Perlman |first=Historian Michael |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Communities Unite To Rescue World's Fair Tributary Mosaics |url=https://www.qgazette.com/articles/communities-unite-to-rescue-worlds-fair-tributary-mosaics/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Queens Gazette}}</ref>

===Early 21st century===
By the early 2000s, NYC Parks had spent $61 million to renovate the park, including $11 million on a promenade along Flushing Bay, $7 million for turf fields, and six new playgrounds.<ref name="p279299510">{{cite news |last=Ferris |first=Marc |date=August 27, 2000 |title=A Squawk In The Park / Despite Major Improvements, Some Say Poor Maintenance Has Dulled Queens Jewel – Flushing Meadows-Corona Park |work=Newsday |page=G08 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|279299510}}}}</ref> The park had also become the residence of a number of homeless people.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/nyregion/26census.html |work=The New York Times |first=Alan |last=Feuer |title=Who Calls Central Park Home? Census Counts 25 |date=March 25, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073255/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/nyregion/26census.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This fact received attention after five possibly homeless individuals abducted, raped, and threatened to kill a woman who had been sitting with her partner at the nearby [[Mets–Willets Point station (IRT Flushing Line)|Mets–Willets Point subway station]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/28/nyregion/squalid-site-of-queens-rape-unnoticed-by-public-nearby.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |work=The New York Times |first=Michael |last=Wilson |title=Squalid Site of Queens Rape Unnoticed by Public Nearby |date=December 28, 2002 |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406201304/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/28/nyregion/squalid-site-of-queens-rape-unnoticed-by-public-nearby.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Nike Go Play Day - Skate Kitchen and Quell skateboarding meet up hosted by Leo Baker.jpg|thumb|Skateboarding meetup in the park]]

Several improvements were made to Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in the 2000s and 2010s. The Flushing Meadows–Corona Park Conservancy was formed in 2002 to advocate for parkland in the area.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Shane |title=Willow Lake Trail Named for the Late Pat Dolan – A Nature Trail That Winds Around a Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Was Renamed Sunday in Honor of a Woman Who Worked for Years to Preserve Its Natural Beauty. On Sunday Morning at a Kew Gardens... |website=Queens Ledger |date=April 24, 2013 |url=http://queensledger.com/view/full_story/22345219/article-Willow-Lake-trail-named-for-the-late-Pat-Dolan |access-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407074533/http://queensledger.com/view/full_story/22345219/article-Willow-Lake-trail-named-for-the-late-Pat-Dolan |url-status=live}}</ref> The $66.3&nbsp;million [[Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center]], encompassing an Olympic-sized public indoor pool and an [[National Hockey League|NHL]] regulation-sized skating rink, opened in 2008. The facility is the largest recreation complex in any New York City park, at {{convert|110000|sqft|m2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_rink.html |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126045336/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_rink.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by the opening of [[Citi Field]], a new baseball field to replace Shea Stadium, in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/sports/baseball/30vecsey.html |title=Ballpark Pioneers Witness Citi Field's First Pitch |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=March 29, 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 22, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073335/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/sports/baseball/30vecsey.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Another public-private partnership, the Alliance for Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, was created in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Honan |first=Katie |date=November 16, 2015 |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151116/corona/new-alliance-for-flushing-meadows-corona-park-hopes-boost-funds |title=New Alliance for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Hopes to Boost Funds |website=DNAinfo New York |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201192248/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151116/corona/new-alliance-for-flushing-meadows-corona-park-hopes-boost-funds/ |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It commenced construction on, or announced plans for, several improvement projects at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/news/worlds-fair-fountains-queens-1.16726028 |title=World's Fair Fountains in Queens to Get $5M Makeover |last=Honan |first=Katie |date=February 12, 2018 |website=am New York |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513205632/https://www.amny.com/news/worlds-fair-fountains-queens-1.16726028 |url-status=live}}</ref> These included a plan to restore the New York State Pavilion,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/fmcp-projects-win-design-awards/article_d4258bc1-5677-5a2e-bb79-e06306ed92ae.html |title=FMCP Projects Win Design Awards |last=Haynes |first=Daniel C. |date=June 2, 2018 |website=Queens Chronicle |access-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117131738/https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/fmcp-projects-win-design-awards/article_d4258bc1-5677-5a2e-bb79-e06306ed92ae.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7009 |title=New York State Pavilion Observation Towers Reconstruction : NYC Parks |website=www.nycgovparks.org |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073419/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7009 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the construction of a "mist garden" in the park's Fountains of the Fairs.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/2/13/17007934/queens-flushing-meadows-park-world-fair-fountains-renovation |title=World's Fair Fountains in Queens Will Transform into 'Mist Gardens' |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=February 13, 2018 |website=Curbed NY |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726023508/https://ny.curbed.com/2018/2/13/17007934/queens-flushing-meadows-park-world-fair-fountains-renovation |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7391 |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park Fountain of the Fairs Reconstruction : NYC Parks |website=www.nycgovparks.org |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513205635/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7391 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Other projects included the construction of a promenade around Meadow Lake<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/5977 |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park Meadow Lake Promenade Reconstruction : NYC Parks |website=www.nycgovparks.org |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513205629/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/5977 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the rehabilitation of the World's Fair Playground and the marina.<ref name=":2" /> In 2015, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park also started hosting the [[Queens Night Market]], a summertime food market that features cuisine from dozens of countries.<ref name=QueensNightMarket>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/new-york-voted-best-city-in-the-world-in-massive-worldwide-survey-031119 |title=Citing Its Diversity and Culture, NYC Was Voted Best City in the World in New Global Survey |first=Will |last=Gleason |work=TimeOut |date=March 11, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511000342/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/new-york-voted-best-city-in-the-world-in-massive-worldwide-survey-031119 |url-status=live}}</ref> The market became popular due to its affordability, since all food cost a maximum of $5–6.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://qns.com/story/2019/04/18/queens-international-night-market-kicks-off-another-season-saturday-night/ |title=Queens International Night Market Kicks off Another Season Saturday Night |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=April 18, 2019 |website=QNS.com |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525021457/https://qns.com/story/2019/04/18/queens-international-night-market-kicks-off-another-season-saturday-night/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/queens-night-market-begins-a-new-chapter-11552005423 |title=Queens Night Market Begins a New Chapter |last=Passy |first=Charles |date=March 8, 2019 |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=May 22, 2019 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517051413/https://www.wsj.com/articles/queens-night-market-begins-a-new-chapter-11552005423 |url-status=live}}</ref> Another food festival, the World's Fare, started in 2017 and is hosted in Citi Field's parking lot on about the third weekend of May.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://qns.com/story/2018/11/28/worlds-fare-return-flushings-citi-field-may-2019-second-helping-global-eats/ |title=The World's Fare Returns to Flushing's Citi Field in May of 2019 for Second Helping of Global Eats |last=Hallum |first=Mark |date=November 28, 2018 |website=QNS.com |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525025103/https://qns.com/story/2018/11/28/worlds-fare-return-flushings-citi-field-may-2019-second-helping-global-eats/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/worlds-fare-returns-to-queens-for-weekend-of-global-cuisine/ar-AABvKSF |title='World's Fare' Returns To Queens For Weekend Of Global Cuisine |last=Kaufman |first=Maya |date=May 10, 2019 |website=MSN |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231091556/https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/worlds-fare-returns-to-queens-for-weekend-of-global-cuisine/ar-AABvKSF |url-status=dead}}</ref> Restoration of the New York State Pavilion began in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NYC Parks Breaks Ground on $24 Million Project to Preserve the World's Fair Pavilion Towers |url=https://qns.com/story/2019/11/08/nyc-parks-breaks-ground-on-24-million-project-to-preserve-the-worlds-fair-pavilion-towers/ |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=November 8, 2019 |website=QNS.com |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815200413/https://qns.com/story/2019/11/08/nyc-parks-breaks-ground-on-24-million-project-to-preserve-the-worlds-fair-pavilion-towers/ |url-status=live}}</ref> as did work on the Fountains of the Fairs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park Fountain of the Fairs Reconstruction |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7391 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426183309/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7391 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Fountains of the Fairs were dedicated in October 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parry |first=Bill |title=City Completes $6.8 Million Restoration of Fountains at Flushing Meadows Corona Park |website=QNS.com |date=October 29, 2020 |url=https://qns.com/2020/10/city-completes-6-8-million-restoration-of-fountains-at-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625113928/https://qns.com/2020/10/city-completes-6-8-million-restoration-of-fountains-at-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Weaver |first=Shaye |title=See the New Misting Plaza at Flushing Meadows Corona Park |website=Time Out New York |date=October 30, 2020 |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/see-the-new-misting-plaza-at-flushing-meadows-corona-park-103020 |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726021756/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/see-the-new-misting-plaza-at-flushing-meadows-corona-park-103020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2022, the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) gave a local group, the Waterfront Alliance, a $530,000 grant to study the effects of [[climate change]] at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park after U.S. representative [[Grace Meng]] had requested the grant the previous year.<ref name="Crain's New York Business 2022">{{cite web |title=Flood-Prone City Park Gets a Climate Resilience Plan |website=Crain's New York Business |last=Spivack |first=Caroline |date=March 31, 2022 |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/climate-change/flood-prone-flushing-meadows-corona-park-gets-climate-resilience-plan |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031225315/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/climate-change/flood-prone-flushing-meadows-corona-park-gets-climate-resilience-plan |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Feldman 2022"/> The park was extremely vulnerable to flooding because of its topography and because of [[sea level rise]] caused by [[global warming]]. Climate scientists had predicted that parts of the park would be flooded regularly by the 2050s<ref name="Feldman 2022"/> and that the entire park could be underwater by the 2080s.<ref name="Crain's New York Business 2022"/><ref name="Parry 2022">{{cite web |last=Parry |first=Bill |title=Waterfront Alliance Secures Federal Funding for Climate Resilience Plan for Flushing Meadows Corona Park – QNS.com |website=QNS.com |date=April 1, 2022 |url=https://qns.com/2022/04/waterfront-alliance-climate-resilience-plan-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031222300/https://qns.com/2022/04/waterfront-alliance-climate-resilience-plan-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the city government was spending $350 million on various upgrades at the park.<ref name="Feldman 2022">{{cite web |last=Feldman |first=Ari Ephraim |title=Federal Grant Spurs Flushing Meadows Corona Park Resiliency Plan |website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City |date=March 17, 2022 |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/03/17/federal-grant-spurs-flushing-meadows-corona-park-resiliency-plan |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031222259/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/03/17/federal-grant-spurs-flushing-meadows-corona-park-resiliency-plan |url-status=live}}</ref> By mid-2023, the New York City government was considering erecting tents in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park to temporarily house asylum seekers.<ref name=nyt-2023-05-08>{{Cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Racetracks, Parks, Offices: A Frantic Search for Migrant Housing |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/nyregion/migrants-shelter-flatiron-nyc.html |access-date=May 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512155932/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/nyregion/migrants-shelter-flatiron-nyc.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gloria Pazmino 2023">{{cite web |last=Gloria Pazmino |first=Samantha Beech |title=New York City Mayor Announces Plan to Transport Willing Migrants to Locations Outside the City Ahead of Expected Surge |website=CNN |date=May 6, 2023 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/05/us/nyc-tent-housing-migrant-surge/index.html |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512001514/https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/05/us/nyc-tent-housing-migrant-surge/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The park had also become popular with Queens's large Latin-American population, who frequently played soccer there.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vilchis |first=Raúl |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Immigrants Find Fun and Community at Queens Soccer Fields |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/05/nyregion/soccer-migrants-corona-queens.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>  The first phase of the New York State Pavilion's renovation was finished in 2023,<ref name="Parry 20232">{{cite web |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=April 17, 2023 |title=The Lights Are Back on at the NYS Pavilion in Flushing Meadows Corona Park – QNS |url=https://qns.com/2023/04/the-lights-are-back-on-at-the-nys-pavilion-in-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429135329/https://qns.com/2023/04/the-lights-are-back-on-at-the-nys-pavilion-in-flushing-meadows-corona-park/ |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=QNS |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Weaver |first=Shaye |date=April 17, 2023 |title=The once-abandoned relics of the 1964 World's Fair will light up every night |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nyc-will-light-up-the-once-abandoned-relics-of-the-1964-worlds-fair-every-night-041723 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926214547/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nyc-will-light-up-the-once-abandoned-relics-of-the-1964-worlds-fair-every-night-041723 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=Time Out New York}}</ref> with a second phase planned to be completed in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chayes |first=Matthew |date=April 27, 2024 |title=Restoration Aims to Restore Luster of Decaying 1964 World's Fair Pavilion |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/1964-worlds-fair-nuvob91o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429135330/https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/1964-worlds-fair-nuvob91o |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Newsday |issn=2574-5298}}</ref> The mosaic medallions at David Dinkins Circle had become dilapidated by 2024, when NYC Parks announced plans to remove them, citing the fact that the mosaics were causing people to trip.<ref name="Perlman x004" /><ref>{{cite web |last=McLogan |first=Elle |date=December 2, 2024 |title=NYC looking to remove the tiled mosaics at the site of the World's Fair in Queens |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/worlds-fair-mosaics-flushing-meadows-corona-park-queens/?intcid=CNR-02-0623&ftag=CNM-00-10aab4i |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=CBS New York}}</ref>

====Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park proposal====

{{Infobox casino
| name = Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_label_position = none
| coordinates =
| location = [[Flushing, Queens|Flushing]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
| address =
| date_opened = TBD
| date_closed =
| theme =
| rooms = 2,300 
| space_gaming =
| shows =
| attractions =
| notable_restaurants =
| casino_type = [[Resort]]
| owner =
| license_holder = [[Hard Rock International]]
| architect =
| names_pre =
| renovations =
| website = [https://www.metropolitanpark.com/ Metropolitan Park]<br>[https://casino.hardrock.com/metropolitan-park Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park]
}}

New York state officials announced in April 2022 that they would issue three [[casino]] licenses in [[Downstate New York]].<ref name="nyt-2022-10-21">{{Cite news |last1=Hong |first1=Nicole |last2=Rubinstein |first2=Dana |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Where Could a Casino Be Built in New York City? What We Know |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/nyc-casino-tracker.html |access-date=October 30, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Short 2022">{{cite web |last=Short |first=Aaron |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Manhattan Casino Push Could Turn Out to Be a House of Cards |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2022/08/manhattan-casino-push/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=Commercial Observer}}</ref> Following this announcement, in 2023, [[New York Mets]] owner [[Steven A. Cohen]] proposed a redevelopment of the parking lot west of [[Citi Field]].<ref name="Byfield Luck 2023 v481">{{cite web |last=Byfield |first=Erica |last2=Luck |first2=Brad |title=New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen Announces $8B Plan to Develop Area Around Citi Field in Queens |website=NBC New York |date=November 7, 2023 |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-mets-owner-steve-cohen-announces-8b-plan-to-develop-area-around-citi-field-in-queens/4840197/ |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Gannon 2023 v626">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |title=Mets Owner Reveals 'Metropolitan Park' Proposal for $8B Casino Complex Next to Citi Field |website=6sqft |date=November 7, 2023 |url=https://www.6sqft.com/mets-owner-reveals-metropolitan-park-proposal-for-8b-casino-complex-next-to-citi-field/ |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>  The proposed development would be known as Metropolitan Park and would feature a 2,300 room [[Hard Rock Hotel]]–themed [[Integrated Resort]] which would include a casino. The hotel could become the [[List of hotels in New York City|largest hotel in New York City]] and amongst the [[List of largest hotels|largest hotels in the world]] if built. It would also include cultural amenities, restaurants, shopping, and park space.<ref>{{cite web | last=Short | first=Aaron | title=Breaking down every 2025 New York casino license bid | website=City &amp; State NY | date=February 10, 2025 | url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/02/breaking-down-every-2025-new-york-casino-licenses-bid/402815/ | access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Flushing Post 2024 b545">{{cite web |title=Mets Owner Steve Cohen's Metropolitan Park Plan Commits over $1B in Community Benefits If Casino Gets Green Light from State |website=Flushing Post |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=February 12, 2024 |url=https://flushingpost.com/mets-owner-steve-cohens-metropolitan-park-plan-commits-over-1b-in-community-benefits-if-casino-gets-green-light-from-state |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Parry 2024 d554">{{cite web |last=Parry |first=Bill |title=Hard Rock International CEO Pitches Metropolitan Park Opportunity with Queens Business Community |website=QNS |date=January 25, 2024 |url=https://qns.com/2024/01/hard-rock-international-ceo-pitches-metropolitan-park-opportunity-queens-business-community/ |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref> In May 2024, state senator [[Jessica Ramos]] stated she would not introduce legislation to help get the project approved.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drellich |first=Evan |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Bid Suffers Major Blow, Project's Future Uncertain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5524925/2024/05/28/steve-cohen-citi-field-casino-setback/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In February 2025, the City Planning Commission voted in favor of approving zoning changes which would allow for the project to be built. The area is zoned as parkland and zoning changes are needed to allow the project to move forward. Neighboring community boards have also voted in favor of the proposed development.<ref>{{cite web | last=O’Brien | first=Shane | title=Flushing’s Metropolitan Park casino proposal gets City Planning Commission green light – QNS | website=QNS | date=February 20, 2025 | url=https://qns.com/2025/02/metropolitan-park-casino-city-planning-green-light/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Lands Important Zoning Changes | website=Casino.org | date=February 20, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-lands-important-zoning-changes/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, the City Council voted 41–2 to approve the zoning changes.<ref>{{cite web | last=Venugopal | first=Arun | title=Metropolitan Park casino project in Queens wins City Council zoning approval | website=Gothamist | date=March 14, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/metropolitan-park-casino-project-in-queens-wins-city-council-zoning-approval | access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref> Later that month, [[New York State Senate|State Senator]] [[John Liu]] announced that he would introduce a bill to reclassify the zoning of the parking lot next to Citi Field as commercial space, which if passed would allow the integrated resort to be built. Liu does not represent the district, but [[Jessica Ramos]], who does represent this district, has refused to introduce this bill because she opposes the plan.<ref>{{cite web | last=Valle | first=Verónica Del | title=NY senator backs Citi Field casino plan with Flushing Skypark proposal and $100M pledge | website=Gothamist | date=March 30, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-senator-backs-citi-field-casino-plan-with-flushing-skypark-proposal-and-100m-pledge | access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Lifted by Liu Parkland Bill | website=Casino.org | date=March 30, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-lifted-by-liu-parkland-bill/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> In late April 2025, a State Senate committee voted 4-3 to advance a bill allowing the Willets Point section of the park to be rezoned to permit commercial use.<ref>{{cite web | last=Durso | first=Isabelle | title=Steve Cohen Wins Key Vote Needed to Build Casino Next to Citi Field | website=Commercial Observer | date=April 29, 2025 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2025/04/steve-cohen-hard-rock-vote-casino-citi-field/ | access-date=April 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Gets Another Boost Following Committee Vote | website=Casino.org | date=April 29, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-gets-another-boost-following-committee-vote/ | access-date=April 29, 2025}}</ref> In May 2025, the bill passed in the state assembly 138–7.<ref>{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Boosted by New York Assembly Vote | website=Casino.org | date=May 14, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-boosted-by-new-york-assembly-vote/ | language=en-US | access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=O’Brien | first=Shane | title=Assembly passes Metropolitan Park parkland alienation bill | website=QNS | date=May 15, 2025 | url=https://qns.com/2025/05/assembly-parkland-alienation-metropolitan-park/ | access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>