Rufus King Park

Parks Celebrates Improvements To Rufus King Park

IMMEDIATE
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
No. 84
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today cut the ribbon on improvements to Rufus King Park with Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Council Member Leroy Comrie and Council Member James Gennaro.

“The Parks Department is dedicated to providing recreation, from soccer to picnicking to theatre, and Rufus King Park now has it all,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Thanks to funding from Queens Borough President Marshall, Council Member Comrie and Council Member Gennaro, the new concert area and refurbished athletic field are the perfect additions to all the wonderful features of this park, including a museum at the historic King Manor.”

Rufus King Park received a $1.7-million facelift thanks to allocations provided by Queens Borough President Marshall, Council Member Gennaro and Council Member Comrie. The park now features a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, a paved concert area, an accessible drinking fountain and an improved drainage system. At King Manor, the driveway was reconstructed and new trees were planted.

Rufus King Park and King Manor are designated New York City landmarks. The King Manor has operated as a museum since 1900 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house and park are open on a regular basis for tours, educational programs and community events. The Village of Jamaica bought for $50,000 the property in 1896, after the last King to occupy the house passed away. The house and the remaining 11 acres were absorbed into City of New York in 1898, and the property came under the jurisdiction of the Parks Department.

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