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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

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Gates of Life

History

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found postedwithin the park.

The animal motifs for these fanciful bronze grillwork gates, designed by architects Clarke and Rapuano, and dating to 1968, were crafted by the Italian-born sculptor Albino Manca (1898–1976).

Following the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65, the World’s Fair Corporation returned this land to the City, and work resumed on the improvements to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. On October 26, 1968 the Queens Zoo opened at this site, utilizing Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome as an aviary, which was built to house the Winston Churchill Pavilion in the Fair’s second season. The theme of the new zoo was North American animals.

Manca, who also sculpted the impressive eagle for the East Coast Memorial (1963) in Battery Park, created a three-tiered composition for these impressive gates. Aquatic plants occupy the lowest level, marine life, such as fish and mollusks reside on the second level, and terrestrial plants, animals and birds are situated on the top level. Measuring 22 feet across, and ranging from outer to inner height from 10 to 8 1/2 feet, the monumental gates are an appropriate introduction to the actual species within.

 

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  • Ornamental gates
  • Ornamental gates

Gates of Life Details

  • Location: Entrance to Flushing Meadows / Corona Park Zoo
  • Sculptor: Albino Manca
  • Architect: Clarke and Rapuano, Incorporated
  • Description: Ornamental gates
  • Materials: Bronze
  • Dimensions: H: 10' (ends), 8'6" (center) W: 22'
  • Cast: ca. 1968
  • Dedicated: ca. 1968

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namingsoften in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, butnot necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the yearlisted reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8163

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Park Information

Know Before You Go

Marinas
World's Fair Marina
Due to a major planned reconstruction project, Pier 1 at the World's Fair Marina is currently closed. Limited transient dockage is available for smaller recreational vessels - please contact the Dockmasters office at 718-478-0480 or VHF Ch71 for more information. There is no dockage available for larger vessels or commercial vessels, including passenger pick-up and drop-off. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please check back with the World's Fair Marina in the future for updates.

Contacts

General Park Info: (718) 760-6565
Pitch N Putt Golf and Miniature Golf : (718) 271-8182
World's Fair Marina on Flushing Bay : (718) 478-0480
World's Fair Marina Restaurant: (718) 898-1200
Terrace on the Park: (718) 592-5000
Citi Field: (718) 699-4220
Mets Ticketing: (718) 507-TIXX
USTA National Tennis Center: (718) 760-6200
US Open/USTA: (914) 696-7000
New York Hall of Science: (718) 699-0005
Queens Museum: (718) 592-9700
Queens Botanical Garden: (718) 886-3800
Queens Theatre: (718) 760-0064
Queens Wildlife Conservation Center: (718) 271-1500
Sports Permits: (718) 393-7272
Picnic/Barbeque Permit for Large Groups: (718) 393-7272
Wheel Fun Rentals: (917) 231-5519
World Ice Arena: (718) 760-9001
Al Oerter Recreation Center: (718) 353-7853
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool & Rink: (718) 271-7572
Special Events Permits: (718) 760-6560
Tennis Permits: (718) 393-7276
Volunteer Coordinator: (718) 760-6561