Remsen Park and the cherry trees came into existence together in 1980, when ten cherry trees were planted at the old Remsen family cemetery, a site that dates back prior to 1754 and the French and Indian War. The triangle shaped property intersects Trotting Course Lane and Alderton Street at Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills, New York City.
Before 1980, the Remsen site was a barren, muddy, sand lot; cleaned up and used once a year for Memorial Day ceremonies. The rest of the year, it was the neighborhood dumping ground; old refrigerators, stoves, television sets, mattresses, furniture, construction debris - you name it, and it was likely dumped. here. Remsen received an annual Memorial Day cleanup. But other then that, it was an unkempt vacant lot, and a neighborhood eyesore.
Remsen Cemetery
Circa 1965 - 45K
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Photo at left, Maryjo and Joseph.
The triangle shape of Remsen Cemetery can be seen behind the children. The street on the left is Alderton Street. The street the right is Trotting Course Lane. Just beyond where the two streets intersect is Metropolitan Avenue. The sand-lot nature of the soil, and large pools of standing water are visible just above Joseph's head. The small black item on the ground next to the pole near the tip of the triangle has been dumped there. The absence of a pile of debris at that particular spot indicates this photo was probably taken over the Memorial Day weekend.
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Remsen Cemetery
Circa 1970 - 75K
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Photo at left, Veiled Bridesmaid.
This bleak photo was taken in early spring with frost still on the ground and clinging to the trees. The two WWI Doughboys and the flagpole are visible at the left edge of the frame. The soil of Remsen Cemetery was extremely poor, and for the 1980 renovation, truckloads of rich farm dirt were added as topsoil. Large holes were dug and filled with rich soil in which each cherry tree was planted. Several cherry trees died within two years of the transplanting, and were immediately replaced. Two Christmas tree have died, but the present one seems to like its new home as the center of attention in Remsen Park, and has prospered for the last ten years or so.
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