Hoffman Park

Rego Park, Queens sits a small park facing busy traffic of Woodhaven Boulevard and Jackie Robinson Parkway. A playground I once conquered the swings as a young child which is easily accessible by Q11 Bus, and subways. This park is easily covered with snow during the bitter winter months for sight unseen. It is adjacent to Queens Center Mall.

‘They were the best of times, they were’… ‘the best of times’. Nothing ‘worst of times’ then nor now, occupy no head space in my recollection of the mid 1980’s. At some point we all looked to venture outside of our neighborhood boarders, seeking an excitement unknown. Some of the kids began talking of Hoffman Park which although a mere mile and change from my area seemed quite a distance away.
During the day we played some pick up basketball but on weekend nights, Hoffman was a Heavy Metal hangout area. Meeting young new people every weekend in a public park, undisturbed, seems like a lawless existance today but rather common back in the day.
Talk about living in the past! Me thinks me needs to stop back at Hoffman soon and hang out a little while for an updated perspective, sitting this time with an Earl Grey in place of a Meister Brau.