Real Good Playground

Real Good Park

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

The neighborhood Rego Park, where this property is located, takes its name from the Real Good Construction Company, which developed this area in 1920. “Re” comes from Real, “Go” comes from Good, hence Rego Park.

Prior to development, Chinese farmers formed an exclusive enclave in this area, growing produce intended strictly for sale in Chinatown. The Real Good Construction Company bought out these farms and built one-family row houses, multi-family homes, and apartment buildings. In 1923, developers Henry Schloh and Charles Hausmann named the area. Between 1928 and 1935, improvements in transportation included the construction of a railway station and the addition of subway service to Union Turnpike. Originally, the neighborhood attracted Irish, German, and Italian immigrants. From 1970 on, the neighborhood’s demographic shifted to Russian, Chinese, and Jewish residents, while enclaves of Indians, Iranians, Koreans, Colombians, and Romanian immigrants have added diversity to the community.

The City acquired the property—bounded by Horace Harding Expressway, 62nd Avenue, 99th, and 102nd Streets—on August 30, 1954 and on the same day placed the area under NYC Parks’ jurisdiction. The Horace Harding Expressway was included as part of the deal. Harding (1863 – 1929) was a finance magnate who used his influence to promote the development of Long Island’s roadways. As a Long Island landowner, he lent strong support to Long Island State Parks Commissioner Robert Moses’ “great parkway plan.” Developed as early as 1924, the plan proposed a system of parks interconnected by scenic parkways. Harding also supported the construction of what would become the Long Island Expressway and in 1929, NY 25D was named Horace Harding Expressway in recognition of his support.

In June 1999, Real Good Park received a renovation and now contains a spray shower, playground equipment, swings, three basketball courts, new safety surfacing, and the shade of London plane trees. London planes are known for their ability to survive harsh urban environments.