Queensbridge Park

This location is unsurprisingly but tragically underutilized, what a waste of potential. That said, a decent refuge if you find yourself in the area.

As of this past Tuesday, the walkway by the river is OPEN!
Queensbridge Park has mature trees, ball fields, plenty of families barbecuing on weekends, and now it also has a nice paved walkway along the East River with great views of the Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and midtown Manhattan and the Freedom Tower in the distance.
Vernon Playground, located on the northeast corner of the park, has multiple play structures, swings, and usable bathrooms right next to it. Using a stroller, the playground is a 25-​minute walk from Center Blvd.
All in all Queensbridge is a great family park. It is mostly used by families from the nearby affordable housing development, and so it isn’t stocked with yuppies like Gantry and Brooklyn Bridge Park, but hey, we live in NYC because we love living side by side with all kinds of different people.

great park to play in. great view of the city. the area isnt that good.

Today was my first trip to this park & I love it. Considering the fact that I’m visiting with a friend on Center Blvd… aside from the waterfront piers (very little grass or trees), there is no decent amount of green space or exercising area away from traffic anywhere close by. So this was a pleasant find. The park definitely needs some TLC. C’mon NYC Parks Dept, get it together & show this place some love. Great potential here! That said, there were crews working at the waterfront. Since it was my 1^st visit, I assumed they were making Sandy fixes, as it would be dissapointing if the fence is always there. Some of the pedestrian pathways need to be repaved, BUT, the bike/​walking path is newly paved. Totally crazy though, as the walking path switches from left to right of the bike path, halfway around the park. That is SO unsafe, providing cyclists actually use the park, that is. It’s about 24 degrees with the windchill right now-​snow on it’s way, so I guess I shouldn’t be too disappointed that there were only a couple of others using the park at the time. Oh & it was VERY clean. Not a piece of trash to be found anywhere. Will definitely make a visit to this park part of my daily routine whenever I’m visiting the area. Will be interesting to see what changes there are in the summer.

Aside from the sea wall which is in DIRE need of being fixed, I love coming here. I mostly come here to work out. For those who complain about how bad the park is, it is LEAPS and BOUNDS above what it used to be. The renovations of this park are definitely going to coincide with the gentrification of Long Island City. It is and will get better here. I wish the would Parks Dept. would do something about the baseball/​softball diamonds though…*sigh*
They are bringing more and more events to the park, giving it more exposure (hopefully bringing it more funding)

This park needs a serious facelift… it has so much potential! Qns needs to do to Queensbridge Park what Bk did to Bklyn Bridge Park. #Foodforthought

this parks needs a serious facelift! it has potential to be so much better.

2.5 stars…
I’m one of the most enthusiastic advocates of city parks and I try to check out new ones whenever I can, sadly this is one of the worst parks if you take into consideration its greater potential. The size, location, and view would lend itself to a fantastic park overlooking the East River, Manhattan, and its namesake bridge. The park is fairly dirty, poorly maintained, really ghetto during busy daylight hours (like weekends and holidays), and unsafe during the evening hours. The worst part of the park for me is that the access to the views are completely ruined by a chain link fence that runs the length of the park, this is indicative to the vibe and neglect that the city has given this particular park. I wouldn’t say this park is 100% bad as I could picture much worse, so go and check it out if you live in the area but definitely don’t go out of your way.

As I explore the realms of my new workplace during my lunch hour, I walked towards Vernon Blvd and see a park that overlooks the East River. Excited that this maybe a good spot to sit and hang out after I scarf down my food I trot across Vernon Blvd.
However, idiot me forgot that what once was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in NYC was right across from the park as well. Not saying that I’m scared because times have really changed but I shouldn’t have much of an expectation. This is probably by far one of the most ghetto parks I’ve seen but I am spoiled by the gorgeous Kissena, Cunningham and Alley Pond Parks that aren’t too far from me.
It’s quite bare with an open field for softball, a little playground for kids and building for bathrooms. Along the East River you’ll find the buildings and luxury condos of Roosevelt Island. Not that much of a view.
After making a round of the park I sat at the bench and pondered about life for a bit then realized my back was towards QB Projects. Immediately I jumped to my senses and turned around… but it seemed quite peaceful. Who knows what lurks there in the dark…

Metropolitan Opera in the park!
Oh. .. but at Queensbridge Park?
Despite my friend’s warning that «it is right next to the QB Projects,» I led my parents from Korea to the QB Park, hoping for the best.
My hope was realized and expectations were surpassed.
Sure, the crowd turnout — compared to Prospect Park of last year, for example — was relatively small, but great energy and spirit were present both on stage and in the audience.
We also got to sit in chairs as opposed to on the grass, which obviously was an upgrade in comforts, not to mention the close view of Ashley Emerson (soprano), John Moore (baritone), Vlad Iftinca (piano), and Damon Gupton (host).
As for the Queensbridge Park itself, it’s a modest facility, with a small playground and some sandy area for volleyball or what not, along with a good amount of greens for kids and adults to roam.
The worst aspect of the park is its location.
Coming from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, for example, you need to either walk more than a mile from the end of the G line or transfer to the 7 for a stop (only to walk a half mile).
On the way there we did the G-​7-​Cab route but after the concert, we walked it all the way to the Court Sq G stop, which turned out to be a decent walk (mostly due to the unseasonably cool weather).
Definitely not a destination park, but if it’s hosting a fun event, it’s worth the effort. Great view of the QB Bridge and Manhattan. And no, you need not be afraid of the projects.