8. Astoria Park Was Formerly Home to a Native American Settlement

Before Astoria Park became the recreational site it is today, it was home to a Native American settlement. According to Long Island City by Thomas Jackson & Richard Melnick, fresh water came from a small stream (later called Linden Brook) that flowed at the southern end of the park at Pot Cove. The wetland ecosystems were vital for the survival of the settlers; they fished from the waters of Hell Gate and harvested oysters and claims, in addition to clearing woodland to grow corn.