The boroughs each have their parklife marvels -- Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadow Park. But Queens has another spectacular park (more amazing than just big -- Flushing Meadow gets all the glory during US Open time, or when the Mets are playing, or pretty much whenver else).

Astoria Park has the biggest swimming pool in New York City - built as a public works project in 1936, to accomodate nearly 3,000 people. The pool still operates today (just closed this Labor Day), with waters the size of three Olympic size pools.

The waters the size of a football field fit snugly in a massive park created at the edge of Astoria, fronting the East River, in the leafy shadows of the Triboro Bridge, in view of Manhattan and Randall's Island. Lots of tennis courts, a track and field, soccer field, and lots of quiet corners to set up your picnic. In early September, Astoria Park looks like a quiet, remote marvel -- and it's just 5 minutes from LIC if you are in a car, or 20 minutes if you are on your bike.

Pictures of the park

To get there you pretty much need to think "I"m going to the Bohemian Beer Garden" (if by train), or in other cases think "I'm about to get on the Triboro Bridge but not really".

(PS, if you are looking for more stuff in the "dodgeball tournaments and handlebar moustaches" category of park fun, McCarren in Williamsburg is your place.)