A letter to Councilman Monserrate

Date: Wed 28 Mar 11:46:55 EDT 2007
From: Kevin Walsh
Subject: The "Real" Flushing Meadows
To: monserrate@council.nyc.ny.us

Dear Councilmember Monserrate:

I am Kevin Walsh, author of the book Forgotten New York (HarperCollins, 2006) and webmaster of the site on which it is based, www.forgotten-ny.com.

Many of my readers have reacted to a recent page I posted about the disgraceful conditions in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, including this forwarded message (see below). The park should be Queens' crown jewel, but its abandonment and neglect by the Parks Department is a shame.

Action is desperately needed in the park, which serves a vast area including Corona and Flushing. Please help make the necessary repairs happen.

Sincerely,

Kevin Walsh

-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Michael Texier
Sent: Mar 28, 2007 8:25 AM
To: Kevin Walsh
Subject: The Real Flushing Meadows

I just wanted to drop a note to tell you how great your posting on the real Flushing Meadows is. It's so good that you are helping to bring to light this forgotten treasure.

The World's Fairs represent an amazing time in New York City and it's tragic that the site is so neglected. I remember my incredible disappointment when after having read a story about the Fountain Of The Planets I went out to Flushing Meadows the following weekend for the first time hoping to see this incredible sight along with the other bits and pieces left over from the fairs. Seeing the sad remains was a total let down. Sometimes ruins can be grand, but in this case it is only decrepit.

I really hope your story gets picked up and more people realize what is being lost. Just because it isn't Central Park and it isn't in Manhattan doesn't mean we shouldn't care about something that is such an important piece of New York history.

Yours,
Mike Texier

Will the Councilman reply? We'll let you know.