Frontera Park

The site was originally the home of the Maspeth Bus Garage, which serviced New York Transit Authority vehicles; after the Transit Authority stopped using the facility it surrendered the parcel to the City in 1955. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, arguing that the neighborhood lacked suitable recreation opportunities, requested that the parcel be assigned to Parks and offered the services of the Bridge and Tunnel Authority, which could build the playground alongside its work on the Long Island Expressway. In 1958 the City Council named the park for Frank Frontera (1858-1952), who emigrated from Italy and settled in Maspeth with his wife and infant son in 1883, served in the Volunteer Fire Department until the age of 91 and owned a barber shop. His son Alexander founded the Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Association.