Draft:Planeview Park (LGA)

Situated between 23 Avenue between 85 St. and Ditmars Boulevard, Planeview Park consists of 1.03 acres (0.42 hectares) of land across the Grand Central Parkway from LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. It features an unobstructed view of LaGuardia's runway 4, air traffic control tower, and Marine Air Terminal.

Background
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations stipulate that airports are required to have a large, clear piece of land leading up to airport runways. In 1958 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey surrendered nine parcels of land, stretching from 78th Street and 25th Avenue to the Grand Central Parkway, across from LaGuardia Airport, to NYC Parks with the understanding that the land could only be used for park purposes.

There are many different ways that a park can come into existence. Some, like Prospect Park, are carefully planned, immaculate visions of natural oases in urban settings. Others, like the whimsically named Planeview Park, are conceived out of happenstance or providence.

Significance
Planeview Park faces the threshold of LaGuardia's Runway 4. Plane spotters on the ground can view airplanes landing very low when runway 4 is used for arrivals. Fresh departures can also be seen when planes takeoff off from the other side, Runway 22. Trees planted in the park serve as a juxtaposition to demonstrate the close proximity of aircraft when approaching runway 4.