Rumors stink. There's a rumor making the rounds that access to Gantry Plaza State Park -- Long Island City's beaut of a waterfront park -- would be restricted to residents of the Citylights building. This is complete b.s.
Gantry Park is the best place I know along the East River to see the Fourth of July fireworks show, and this state park is open to everyone. The barge where they set off the fireworks is right between Gantry and the U.N. building. You can't ask for better seats to the show.
To repeat, Gantry Park is open to all on July 4.
Citylights does restricts access to its building that day. Only residents and signed-in guests are allowed in the building (with its awesome fireworks views). But the park is open to all.
- July 4 Fireworks in Queens
- Gantry Plaza State Park
- More - On fireworks at Gantry Park - check the comments
- More - QueensWest forum on July 4 fireworks
Update - Access to Gantry Plaza State Park and its piers was open to all on July 4, 2006. A poster on Astorians.com wrote:
The place is wide open to *anyone* who wants to watch from *anywhere*. I am not a resident of any of those high rise condos and was allowed to roam freely and choose a spot wherever I wanted, including the pier.Case closed.I dont even know what the fuss about the pier is all about anyway. Its jam packed with people, not very comfortable. Go 15 yards north and theres a nice big patch of grass where you can throw down a blanket, have a picnic and enjoy an un-obstructed view of the show while lying down if you want.
Comments
Thanks for clearning this up. This is a nasty rumor. I’d love to see that Skyburb even try to keep their fellow Queens residents out of the park : )
We are planning on heading down that tomorrow.
How early do I need to arrive to get a good patch for a picnic? A friend of mine said maybe 3pm, but absolutely before 5 pm. I heard that access will be resitricted at 5 pm and they will start stamping hands, etc.
We’re bringing a group of 8 people, some coolers, chairs, etc.
Any advice is appreciated!
Last year blogger Bexn said she got there after 8pm and had space on the grass. to get on the piers you’ll need to arrive at least by 6pm. But who knows? This year there might be more people than ever.
Take the subway if you can. The #7 to Vernon Blvd and walk the 2-3 long blocks. It’ll be easier than finding parking.
Thank you for your prompt reply!
Thanks for the awesome post, John! So glad this is being cleared up – that rumor was a nasty one and really sad. I’m going to pass along this page to those I know who have been privvy to this dumb rumor. –Meg
Can you verify if the piers are open to the public. I personally and the rest of the public were turned away last year from accessing the piers at Gantry Park, yet the rest of the park was open to all. Only Citilights residents could gain access to the piers and the big security guards only let those with passes through. It’s not some big dumb rumor. It did happen. Yes, the park was open to all but the piers were not.