Playground animal sculptures set for ‘retirement’ in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Flushing Meadows Corona Park will soon be home to five of NYC Parks former stone residents. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

By Rachel Vick

Move over Queens Zoo — there’s a new herd in town.

The Home for Retired Playground Animals in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will soon be the new final resting place of a group of cement playground animals from across New York City, Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver announced Thursday.

“After decades of service to New York City, and with perfect attendance records across the board, it's time for these Parkies to hang up their hats and enjoy a life of leisure," said Commissioner Silver. "Instead of moving down south to Florida, they will get their place in the sun in Flushing. Come stop by and say hello to an old friend!" 

There will be five initial animal residents – two dolphins, an aardvark, camel, and frog in the grove that Silver said is intended to be a “contemplative space” for park visitors. 

“New Yorkers can visit these concrete creatures to enjoy a moment of nostalgia and salute some of NYC’s hardest working public servants,” he added. 

Each will be installed in the condition they were found in after decades of use, but will act only as decoration. The garden will also have new benches and plants.

Hundreds of statues were installed in the 1980s and 90s under former Commissioner Henry Stern, who requested the statues be placed in every new playground built.

The new space needs approval from Community Board 4, whose district the park runs through.