Fresh Meadows in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Emerald Playground

1.26 acre

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2026

1. Emerald Playground Marker

Inscription.

Emerald Playground. 1.26 acre. , Emerald Playground's name was inspired by its location on Jewel Avenue. The roadway was given its name because streets north of what is now Queens Boulevard were at one time given names in alphabetical order. Jewel Avenue, formerly known as Jewel Street, ran next to Kelvin Road, now 69th Road., Originally, each Queens' community chose their street names and there was no borough-wide, organized street classification system. In 1911, it was decided that the roadways would be numbered with avenues, roads, and drives running from east to west and streets, lanes, and places running from north to south. However, when Queens adopted the plan, the name Jewel Avenue remained unchanged for reasons that remain unclear. Jewel Avenue originally ended at 112th Street. In the 1920s, the roadway was further developed, extending eastward to the Pomonok Country Club, now the Electchester Co-op. In preparation for the 1939 World's Fair, Jewel Avenue was extended to its present terminus west of the Grand Central Parkway., Emeralds are a form of the mineral beryl, which consists of the chemical aluminum beryllium silicate. On its own, beryl is colorless, but emaralds obtain their green color from a small amount of chromium. Their green color also makes the stones a fitting choice for park names, as Central Park creator Frederick Law Olmstead (1822-1903) created an "Emerald Necklace" of parks in Boston. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981) also crated his own "Emerald Necklace," Kissena Corridor Park in Queens., P.S. 200 Playground was opened as a Jointly Operated Playground between NYC Parks and the Department of Education on October 15, 1954. The site was renamed Jewel Playground in 1985, and was subsequently changed to Emerald. In 2000, this property was renovated and today the site contains a comfort station, spray shower, one full basketball court and four half courts, handball courts, play equipment, and picnic tables that can be enjoyed by residents of Jewel Avenue and the surrounding area.

Emerald Playground's name was inspired by its location on Jewel Avenue. The roadway was given its name because streets north of what is now Queens Boulevard were at one time given names in alphabetical order. Jewel Avenue, formerly known as Jewel Street, ran next to Kelvin Road, now 69th Road.

Originally, each Queens' community chose their street names and there was no borough-wide, organized street classification system. In 1911, it was decided that the roadways would be numbered with avenues, roads, and drives running from east to west and streets, lanes, and places running from north to south. However, when Queens adopted the plan, the name Jewel Avenue remained unchanged for reasons that remain unclear. Jewel Avenue originally ended at 112th Street. In the 1920s, the roadway was further developed, extending eastward to the Pomonok Country Club, now the Electchester Co-op. In preparation for the 1939 World's Fair, Jewel Avenue was extended to its present terminus west of the Grand Central Parkway.

Emeralds are a form of the mineral beryl, which consists of the chemical aluminum beryllium silicate. On its own, beryl is colorless, but emaralds obtain their green color from a small amount of chromium. Their green color also makes the stones a fitting choice for park names, as Central Park creator Frederick Law Olmstead (1822-1903) created an "Emerald Necklace" of parks in Boston. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981) also crated his own "Emerald Necklace," Kissena Corridor Park in Queens.

P.S. 200 Playground was opened as a Jointly Operated Playground between NYC Parks and the Department of Education on October 15, 1954. The site was renamed Jewel Playground in 1985, and was subsequently changed to Emerald. In 2000, this property was renovated and today the site contains a comfort station, spray shower, one full basketball court and four half courts, handball courts, play equipment, and picnic tables that can be enjoyed by residents of Jewel Avenue and the surrounding area.

Erected by NYC

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Parks. (Marker Number 300.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1954.

Location. 40° 43.834′ N, 73° 48.364′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Fresh Meadows. It is on 71st Avenue west of 164th Street, on the right when traveling west. The plaque is near the south entrance to the playground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 163-02 71st Ave, Fresh Meadows NY 11365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Freedom Square (approx. 0.9 miles away); Queens Valley Playground

The 71st Avenue Entrance of Emerald Playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2026

2. The 71st Avenue Entrance of Emerald Playground

(approx. 1.1 miles away); Captain George H. Tilly Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Spanish American War Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Queens Borough Hall Persian Gulf War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Willow Lake Playground (approx. 1.7 miles away); Jamaica Estates New York World War II Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.

City of New York Parks & Recreation dedication plaque for the playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2026

3. City of New York Parks & Recreation dedication plaque for the playground

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.