Far Rockaway in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sorrentino Recreation Center
.231 acre
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 5, 2026
1. Sorrentino Recreation Center Marker
This recreation center is named in honor of Robert Sorrentino (1944–1980), a police officer with the 101st precinct who was killed in the line of duty on April 24, 1980. Officer Sorrentino was a seven-year veteran of the force and served most of his career in this Rockaway community. The center was dedicated in December 1980.
Located at 18-48 Cornaga Avenue, this center serves the surrounding community of Far Rockaway, on the easternmost tip of the Rockaway peninsula. The name Rockaway is closely related to the language of the Delaware and Chippewa Native Americans. Linguistic experts recognize both “Reckonwacky,” meaning “the place of our own people,” and “Reckanawahahaha,” meaning “the place of laughing waters,” as the area’s indigenous names. Following the region’s European colonization during the 17th century, the present name was probably derived from these meanings. Other interpretations include “lekau,” meaning sand, and “lechauwaak,” for fork or branch. All interpretations reflect the historic and geographic traits of the peninsula.
Constructed in 1921, the building was acquired by the City from the Knights of Columbus
this page online
In 2007 the center was again renovated to make the historic building accessible to people with disabilities. New fitness rooms, a computer resource center, a multi-purpose room, and rooms for games, and arts and crafts were modernized. The center was rededicated on August 28 with crowd-pleasing performances by the Sorrentino Seniors and Stan’s Pepper Steppers, the reigning world Double Dutch champions.
Sorrentino Recreation Center was honored by Turn 2 Foundation, baseball player Derek Jeter’s non-profit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles amongst youth. It adopted Sorrentino as its first Queens site which enabled the center to expand its afterschool program and offer enhanced programs with specialists in fitness, visual arts and dance. This recreation center will continue to serve this vibrant and growing
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 5, 2026
2. Sorrentino Recreation Center Marker
The entrance to Sorrentino Recreation Center. The marker can be seen between the two left columns in the photo.
Erected 2014 by NYC Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 40° 36.139′ N, 73° 45.082′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Far Rockaway. It is at the intersection of Cornaga Avenue and Beach 19th Street, on the right when traveling west on Cornaga Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18-48 Cornaga Ave, Far Rockaway NY 11691, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rock Hall (approx. one mile away); TWA Flight Center (approx. 3.3 miles away); George Riekers Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); Broad Channel Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); Sgt. Joseph E. Schaefer (approx. 3.6 miles away); Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge (approx. 3.7 miles away); This Home (approx. 4 miles away); Cobble Villa (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Also see . . . Sorrentino Recreation Center (NYC Parks). (Submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
