Park restoration and improvements project at Frank M. Charles Memorial Park

Rendering of Horseshoe Court Restoration. Design courtesy of Dirtworks Landscape Architecture.

In July 2019, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) partnered with New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich, the National Park Service, Charles Park Conservation Society and community members to plan and implement improvements to Frank M. Charles Memorial Park. Frank M. Charles Memorial Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, is a 20-acre multi-use park located in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, New York. Bordering Jamaica Bay, Frank M. Charles Memorial Park is a beloved community resource serving thousands of visitors as a place for recreation and community. As a public-private partnership, the JBRPC is committed to partnering with governmental agencies, local communities, non-profit and private partners to fulfill our mission of ensuring the long-term sustainability of parkland in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. This project is funded in part by a grant from New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT and planning

JBRPC engaged community and agency stakeholders in planning through project implementation. Working with New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich, Charles Park Conservation Society, Community Board 10, the Howard Beach Civic, and the National Park Service, JBRPC developed a scope of work for the project which included improvements to the basketball and handball courts, restoration of the central pathway and park entrance with new native plantings, restoration of water pipes and installation of irrigation systems, and restoration and reimagining the horseshoe court area.

JBRPC staff, New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich, and local volunteers plant native shrubs and perennials.

project implementation and volunteer stewardship

In fall 2019, JBRPC prepared the central pathway for restoration with over 15,000 sq. ft. of turf removed. JBRPC staff and 80 community volunteers then planted over 9,000 native plants along the park entrance and central pathway. These native plants will provide seasonal interest for park visitors throughout the year, and critical habitat for visiting wildlife such as migratory birds and important pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Learn more about some of the native plants used for this project by clicking the images below:

In spring 2020, JBRPC continued work with community partners to realize the restoration of the central pathway and in the fall 2020, JBRPC finished renovating the former horseshoe court with new planting beds, native plants and trees along with additional seating.

Central pathway before restoration

Turf removed along central pathway

Central pathway being prepared for planting

Completed restoration using native plants

Volunteers restoring the central pathway

Volunteers helping plant 9,000 native shrubs and perennials

Central Pathway

New plants around entrance sign

Volunteers plant around the entrance sign

Over 80 volunteers helped restore Frank M. Charles Memorial Park

Volunteers help plant shrubs

Charles Park Conservation Society helps remove fence posts

Native shrubs and perennials along the central pathway

Many thanks to our partners that made this project possible including the National Park Service, Charles Park Conservation Society, Community Board 10, New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich, Dirtworks Landscape Architecture, American Littoral Society, the Howard Beach Civic, Wildcat, and the dedicated volunteers from the community.