In the shadow of the imposing Philip Johnson New York State Pavilion Towers sits a quiet verdant oasis called David’s Garden, a tribute to longtime Queens Tribune editor David Oats, who was a lifelong advocate for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and its upkeep following the end of the World’s Fair after its two-year run in 1965. He was founder and president of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park World’s Fair Association, of which longtime parks and traffic czar Robert Moses was the first chairman.
Oats had met Moses when, as a twelve-year-old, he illegally entered the Fair grounds while they were under construction. He was brought over to Moses for a tongue lashing, but Moses saw something he liked in the youth and Oats returned Moses’ kindness as a constant park advocate and supporter.
“David was the park’s keeper, watchdog, caretaker and conscience; prodding, urging, leading and demanding the borough and park powers-that-be care for the park with which David had a 40-plus year love affair,” wrote longtime friend and Queens Tribune publisher Michael Schenkler upon Oats’ death in 2008. “No one cared more, knew more, or fought harder for the good of the park or the recognition of the historical significance of the World’s Fairs [of 1939-40 and 1964-65],” Schenkler said of Oats.
I return to the “Fairgrounds” often. In April 2014, Forgotten NY set a record with 65 tourgoers for FNY Tour #76 during the Fair’s 50th anniversary.
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8/9/22