Overlook Park

Ditmars Blvd., 22 Dr. bet. 97 St. and 100 St.

Queens

Directions via Google Maps

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

This park’s name aptly refers to its promontory position and view of the surrounding Ditmars community and La Guardia Airport.

La Guardia Airport honors former New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882-1947). La Guardia, the son of a United States Army bandleader, was born in Manhattan’s Little Italy at 177 Sullivan Street. He received his law degree from New York University, was admitted to the bar in 1910, and became the nation’s first Italian-American Congressman in 1916. La Guardia held various congressional posts until 1932, and served as president of New York City’s Board of Aldermen (predecessor of the City Council) from 1920 to 1921. He is often remembered for his nickname, ‘Little Flower.’ The nickname is a literal translation of the Italian mayor’s first name, and an allusion to his small physical stature of 5 feet 2 inches.

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