04/24/06

Every borough has its prize park. For Queens, that might be this riverfront space with its Olympic-sized swimming pool.

by Contributor

Overview
Of the five boroughs, Queens has the greatest square acreage of parkland and, located between the Triboro and Hell Gate bridges, this Astoria green space makes up a good 60 acres of it. Adding to the verdant luster is the city's largest pool, which was also the site of the 1936 and 1964 Olympic swimming trials. (Bocce courts further testify to its history and the neighborhood's cultural roots.)

Features
Whether or not you attend during the hours reserved for swimming laps, Astoria Park's free-to-the-public pool is one of the cooler ways to beat the heat. And while the 330-foot-long art-deco pool is the showpiece, Astoria Park has six tennis courts, three baseball diamonds and two playgrounds to draw you in as well. An annual Queens Symphony Orchestra Independence Day concert also attracts a crowd.