Juniper Valley Park

This rink is named in honor of Firefighter James Bohan (1973-1998). He died on December 18, 1998 while fighting a fire at the Vandalia Senior Housing Complex in Brooklyn. Bohan perished with fellow firefighters Joseph Cavalieri and Christopher Bopp as they tried to rescue a resident who had already escaped the blaze. Firefighter Christopher Bopp Triangle in Marine Park honors Bohan’s fallen colleague. The cause of the fire remains unknown. It is likely that a resident's cigarette was responsible, and the building's sprinkler system, for unknown reasons, had been shut off.

James Bohan grew up in Middle Village and often played in Juniper Valley Park. Known for his joyous spirit, Bohan bought a balloon stand's entire supply of hundreds of balloons and distributed them to all the children at the fair with the help of his friends at the Irish Festival in East Durham, NY. On the day before his death, he and other firefighters walked the halls of Brookdale Hospital and handed out toys to sick children. New York City remembers his kindness, heroism, and sacrifice.

The rink, named in 2000, features two grandstands and a drinking fountain. The Middle Village Hockey League and children throughout the community use the rink regularly.