Corona in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gates of Life
Queens Wildlife Conservation Center
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
The animal motifs for these fanciful bronze grillwork gates were designed by architects Clarke and Rapuana, and dating to 1960, were crafted by the Italian-born sculptor Albino Manca (1898-1976).
Following the New York World's Fair of 1964-65, the World's Fair Corporation returned this land to the City, and work resumed on the improvements to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. On October 26, 1968 the Queens Zoo opened at this site utilizing Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome as an aviary, which was built to house the Winston Churchill Pavilion in the Fair's second season. The theme for the new zoo was North American Animals.
Manca, who also sculpted the impressive eagle for the East Coast Memorial (1963) in Battery Park, created a three-tiered composition for these impressive gates. Aquatic plants occupy the lowest level, marine life, such as fish and mollusks reside on the second level, and terrestrial plants, animals and birds are situated on the top level. Measuring 22 feet across, and ranging from outer to inner height from 10 to 8-1/2 feet, the monumental gates are an appropriate introduction to the actual species
this page online
Erected 2013 by NYC Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is October 26, 1968.
Location. 40° 44.64′ N, 73° 50.973′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Corona. Marker is at the intersection of Zoo Path and Zoo Bridge, on the right when traveling north on Zoo Path. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Zoo Bridge, Corona NY 11368, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. An Outstanding Partnership (here, next to this marker); Animals of the Americas (within shouting distance of this marker); Our twin Andean bear cubs were born on July 28, 2021 (within shouting distance of this marker); We're Working to Save Andean Bears (within shouting distance of this marker); Domestic Chicken (within shouting distance of this marker); Domestic Goat (within shouting distance of this marker); Types of Domestic Chickens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Our twin Andean bear cubs were born on July 28, 2021 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
