7. Socrates Sculpture Park was built over a buried sewage creek
This park has been a popular spot for Astoria residents looking to spend time some time with family or to get some fresh air. It is the largest outdoor space in New York City dedicated specifically to sculptures and is an important part of the community culture in Astoria. Socrates Sculpture Park was created in 1986 by sculptor Mark di Suvero with the help of other artists and neighborhood youth. What most visitors aren’t aware of is that the park sits atop a buried creek that served as a drainage outfall for most of the 20th century.
Sunswick Creek originally ran from what is now Queens Plaza out into the East River through Astoria. Industrialization in the borough forced a severe amount of pollution into the creek in the 1860s and ’70s. It was later integrated into the neighborhood sewage system, but concerns began to arise over the stagnant water at the mouth of the creek. Mosquitoes were infesting the area and the spread of disease was quickly becoming a major issue. After the city tinkered with the outfall for a number of years, it was decided that the land was to be filled over and set up as vacant property for luxury housing developments. The creek still remains underground, and some even say that on rainy days flowing water can be heard underneath the pavement
