Oakland Lake, located in Alley Pond Park, is a body of water that has been around for 15,000 years. It stands out as one of the rare natural lakes in New York City that is supplied by a glacial cauldron. Learn more about this popular recreational spot in Queens at queens.name.
History
Oakland Lake got its name from The Oaks estate in the 19th century, which was situated on the same grounds. The estate was named after the abundance of oak trees in the vicinity.
The lake is fed by underground springs. It was once believed that a river flowed beneath it, leading to neighboring Little Neck Bay. In 1969, a diving team explored the lake’s bottom to prepare for potential emergencies in case the underground river’s flow became too powerful. However, the dive revealed that there was no river and the lake was much shallower than anticipated.
Back in the 19th century, the lake was taken over by the Town of Flushing as a source of municipal water. After the consolidation of the five boroughs in 1898, it was transferred to the City’s Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The water source was in use until the City of Greater New York started using upstate reservoirs and aqueducts after consolidation.
Throughout the 1930s, workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved the stream that supplies water to Oakland Lake with concrete. Subsequently, the stream and a tiny pond that flows into the lake were both filled in. In 1941, the Sanitation and Health Departments worked alongside WPA workers to fill in wetlands in an effort to manage the mosquito population. Three thousand people were employed at nine Queens locations to lay pipes, dig drainage ditches and fill in and grade low areas, ultimately leading to the disruption of the fragile marshland ecosystem.
The lake’s survival was at risk as Queens experienced a rapid increase in population. The construction of a school, a community college and the expansion of a nearby boulevard contributed to the decline of the body of water. Fortunately, thanks to the community’s collective efforts, the beloved spot for recreation and fishing was rescued. In 1987, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation invested about one million dollars into reviving Oakland Lake. The project was completed successfully in 2011. The lake shoreline, ravines and side slopes were all restored in multiple phases, with thousands of new trees planted and storm sewers installed near the park. Furthermore, fishing pads and canoe launches with boulder seating were paved along the lake’s shoreline. The preserved body of water became a testament to the community’s ability to unite and protect the city’s valuable natural surroundings.
Picturesque Location
Oakland Lake can be found within Alley Pond Park, the second biggest public park in Queens. The park boasts an environmental center, numerous sports fields, and one of the oldest trees in the city. It also features playgrounds, barbecue areas and walking and biking paths. Numerous trails wind through the native hardwood forest and hollows. The northern part of the park offers some great views of salt marshes, characterized by soils rich in salts.
The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course features a variety of ropes for different exercises and group competitions, perfect for activity enthusiasts. These activities are designed to foster teamwork and improve problem-solving skills. People of all ages and physical abilities can participate in organized activities.
Artificial obstacles encourage participants to unite and work together. This environment fosters the development of essential life skills such as self-assurance, effective communication, cooperation, trust and leadership. The recreational area features a zipline, rock climbing wall, swings, a jumping platform and more.
It is the first facility of its kind in New York and perhaps the most cutting-edge in the United States.
Additionally, the park is known for its golf center, which has been open since the 1950s. The golf center is particularly well-liked by the Korean-American community, which is why all the signs are in both English and Korean.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the lake. An electrofishing survey was carried out from a boat in May 2021, revealing the presence of various species such as largemouth bass, chain pickerel and sunfish. Oakland Lake is also home to American eel, black crappie, bluegill sunfish, brown bullhead and pumpkinseed, also known as a common sunfish or pond perch.
If you want to reel in a nice-sized largemouth bass, a soft plastic bait like a plastic worm is a great option. During summer, you can also go for reaction baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or jerk baits. Fishing for bluegill, pumpkinseed, or bullhead can be successful with a bobber and live worms. Don’t forget to tamp down all barbs on hooks, as it’s required by New York City regulations to use barbless hooks.