Event Details for
Queens - Socrates Sculpture Park
80928
10/13/2008
| City and
State: New York City NY | |||
| Host Club:
Princeton Area Walkers | |||
| Distance:
5 km & 10 km
Trail Rating: 1 | |||
| Start / Finish:
The Socrates Sculpture Park is located at 32-01 Vernon Blvd at Broadway,
Long Island City, NY 11106 | |||
| Start
Times:
2:00-3:00 p.m. |
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| Trail / Event
Description:
This walk is in Astoria Queens starting at the quirky Socrates Sculpture Park. It travels through the residential streets of Astoria, pasts many Greek restaurants and then over to Roosevelt Island for spectacular views of Mid-Town Manhattan and the famed 59th St. Bridge. The walk is on sidewalks except for a small part at the start which is on natural trails. There are no restrooms at the start point but there are some along the route. History and Goals of Socrates Sculpture Park Socrates Sculpture Park is a former illegal dumpsite leased from New York City's Department of Ports and Trade for $1 per year. The site required almost a year of work to clear and landscape before the first installation of sculpture was possible. Socrates Sculpture Park is the masterwork of the Athena Foundation, which was created in 1977 by the sculptor Mark di Suvero to encourage the arts, to expand the culture and to create a space for the harmonious interaction of people and art. After a year of clearing what was once an illegal garbage dump, the Park opened its first exhibition of contemporary, outdoor sculpture in 1986. Since that time, Socrates continues to revitalize the economic, social, educational, and cultural life of this community via activities that encourage creative interaction between artists, their art, and the community through visual arts and outreach programs. The Park's existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment. Socrates Sculpture Park is a 4.5 acre, waterfront sculpture park located on the East River in Long Island City, Queens. Socrates Sculpture Park is one of the few places in New York City where large-scale, outdoor sculpture can be enjoyed by the public. Since its opening in the fall of 1986 the Park has presented a constantly changing selection of work by the most exciting artists working today. Sculptors from all regions of the United States, Europe and Central America have been joined by musicians, dancers, painters and filmmakers to create a multi-media modern art showcase. Socrates Sculpture Park is situated In Long Island City, Queens, where private homes, factories and warehouses co-exist in an unpretentious neighborhood with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Appropriately, the park is located on the border of the largest population of Greeks outside Athens. Located at Vernon Boulevard and Broadway in Long Island City (718) 956-1819 Fax: (718) 545-8548 | |||
| Contact:
Maureen Penta , (732 ) 229 - 8169 | |||
| E-Mail Contact: maurpenta@comcast.net | |||
| Awards and Fees: There is no special award for this event. Fee for IVV credit is $3. For non-IVV members we are requesting a $3 donation to assist in covering our expenses. | |||
| Directions:
DIRECTIONS: Directions From the Midtown Tunnel:After tolls, take immediate right, a second right and, after 1 block, a third right onto Vernon Blvd, Head North to Broadway (5 min.) From the Queensboro (59th St) Bridge: Upper Roadway: Exit 21st Street North onto Broadway. Continue to Vernon Blvd. Lower Roadway: First right, continue for 2 blocks, then right. Continue 9 blocks to Vernon Blvd. | |||
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