Electric Playground

164 St. bet. 65 Ave. and 67 Ave.

Queens

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

Electric Playground takes its name from Electchester Homes, a housing development opened in the early 1950s through the efforts of Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. (1903-1986), head of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW).

Electchester Homes is on the former grounds of the 136-acre Pomonok Country Club, whose 300 members voted to disband in 1949. The subsequent 38-building community was built in response to the housing shortage faced by city residents after World War II. The members of the union each contributed $100 towards the Electchester’s construction, with the union matching the amount raised. The IBEW also donated land on the grounds for the construction of P.S. 200 and Electric Playground.