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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

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Gates of Life

History

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

The animal motifs for these fanciful bronze grillwork gates, designed by architects Clarke and Rapuano, and dating to 1968, were crafted by the Italian-born sculptor Albino Manca (1898–1976).

Following the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65, the World’s Fair Corporation returned this land to the City, and work resumed on the improvements to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. On October 26, 1968 the Queens Zoo opened at this site, utilizing Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome as an aviary, which was built to house the Winston Churchill Pavilion in the Fair’s second season. The theme of the new zoo was North American animals.

Manca, who also sculpted the impressive eagle for the East Coast Memorial (1963) in Battery Park, created a three-tiered composition for these impressive gates. Aquatic plants occupy the lowest level, marine life, such as fish and mollusks reside on the second level, and terrestrial plants, animals and birds are situated on the top level. Measuring 22 feet across, and ranging from outer to inner height from 10 to 8 1/2 feet, the monumental gates are an appropriate introduction to the actual species within.

 

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Gates of Life Details

  • Location: Entrance to Flushing Meadows / Corona Park Zoo
  • Sculptor: Albino Manca
  • Architect: Clarke and Rapuano, Incorporated
  • Description: Ornamental gates
  • Materials: Bronze
  • Dimensions: H: 10' (ends), 8'6" (center) W: 22'
  • Cast: ca. 1968
  • Dedicated: ca. 1968

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namingsoften in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, butnot necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the yearlisted reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8163

Directions to Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Know Before You Go

There are currently 4 service interruptions affecting access within this park.

Recreation CentersAl Oerter Recreation Center

Please note the gymnasium at the Al Oerter Recreation Center will be closed on Thursday, January 16, 2020 for staff training from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Anticipated Completion: 01/16/2020

Recreation CentersFlushing Meadows Corona Park Pool & Rink

Due to upcoming emergency ceiling work at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center, the pool will be closed to the public for at least 6 weeks starting on Monday, January 13, 2020.

ParkFlushing Meadows Corona Park

Due to construction, the 111th Street Parking Lot (Henry Hudson Entrance) is closed as of May 28, 2019. Please view this project on our Capital Project Tracker page for the latest updates.
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2020

MarinasWorld's Fair Marina

Due to a major planned reconstruction project, Pier 1 at the World's Fair Marina is currently closed. Limited transient dockage is available for smaller recreational vessels - please contact the Dockmasters office at 718-478-0480 or VHF Ch71 for more information. There is no dockage available for larger vessels or commercial vessels, including passenger pick-up and drop-off. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please check back with the World's Fair Marina in the future for updates.
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2021

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