Welcome back to the Student Metrocard! Now you may be wondering if there’s really any difference between Cunningham Park and Alley Pond Park, the truth is, there really isn't. HOWEVER each park is surrounded by a different community of people that makes up the park’s defining characteristics. The community around Cunningham tends to be more sport and athletics oriented, with its most frequent visitors being school sports teams and gym enthusiasts. It is also closer to Bayside, Fresh Meadows, and Oakland Gardens which makes it a shorter commute from Long Island City compared to Alley Pond Park.
Commute
Cunningham Park is accessible by bus. The most common routes for getting to the park include the following:
From the Kew Gardens Union Turnpike Station transferring to the Q46 Glen Oaks, Springfield Boulevard, or Lake Success bound buses.
The Q88 bus.
The Q76 bus.
Activities and Adventures
Much similar to Alley Pond Park, Cunningham Park is filled with fields customary to the various, common activities held there. The field is notorious for hosting picnics, barbecues, baseball games, dog walks, and family strolls. The park is the domain for many high school sports practices and celebratory gatherings. More specifically, it is one of the two major parks in Queens for competitive sports such as Cross Country and Track. Apart from the open fields, the park has trails leading to Alley Pond Park and other entrances. These trails tend to be shorter and have more abrupt changes in elevation, making them more suitable for those of you looking to mimic the upstate hiking experience. Most bikers avoid these trails and ride around the open fields. There is also workout equipment located in various locations throughout the park.
History
What sets Cunningham Park apart from other NYC parks is its rich and intriguing history. Believe it or not, but Cunningham Park’s history is one of is most prominent attractions, urging New Yorkers to visit. The park was said to be home to early ancestors of the Matinecock and is proven to have originated from glaciers more than 200 centuries ago. This park is also home to the memorial of W. Arthur Cunningham. Arthur Cunningham was a lawyer whose legacy is his contribution of service in the US army during World War I. He was awarded a French military War Cross called the “Croix de Guerre” for the nobility and bravery he displayed. After the war, Cunningham returned to New York City to become Comptroller.
More can be learned about the history of Cunningham Park and its historical sites here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/cunningham-park/history
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