Walk down 108th Street in Corona, Queens, and you’ll find a tiny triangle of land that punches way above its weight class. Officially, the sign says William F. Moore Park. To literally everyone else in the neighborhood, it’s just Spaghetti Park.
It isn’t a massive sprawling field. It’s barely 0.20 acres. Honestly, you could walk past it in thirty seconds if you weren't paying attention. But if you did that, you’d miss the actual soul of the neighborhood.
The Name Nobody Uses
Why "Spaghetti Park"?
Some people think it’s because the paths twist around like pasta, but that's just a guess. The real reason is much simpler: it was the epicenter of the Italian-American community in Corona for decades. Older men would sit on the benches for hours, arguing about politics and sports, often heading over after a massive Sunday dinner.
The name stuck so hard that Dyann DeSalvo even wrote a children’s book about it back in 2002. Even as the neighborhood has shifted—now home to a vibrant mix of Dominican, Mexican, and Central American families—the nickname remains a badge of honor. It's one of those "if you know, you know" New York things.
Who Was William F. Moore?
Before it was a hangout spot, it was a memorial. William F. Moore wasn’t just a name picked out of a hat. He was a local kid, a Marine private who grew up right on the corner of 103rd Street and Corona Avenue.
He died in 1918 at the Battle of Belleau Wood.
That battle was one of the messiest, most brutal engagements of World War I. Moore is widely cited as the first person from the neighborhood to be killed in the Great War. In 1929, the city renamed the "Corona Heights Triangle" to honor him. If you look closely, there’s a granite base for the flagstaff that tells his story.
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Bocce and the Lemon Ice King
If you visit on a summer evening, the air smells like two things: charcoal and lemon.
The park is famous for its bocce courts. This isn’t the backyard version you play at a hipster bar in Brooklyn. This is serious stuff. These courts have lights, which is surprisingly rare for outdoor NYC parks. You’ll see guys who have been playing there since the 1970s rolling wooden balls over the clay and sand with surgical precision.
Right across the street sits the Lemon Ice King of Corona.
It’s been there since 1944. There is a very specific ritual here:
- You wait in the line (which moves fast, don't worry).
- You get a squeeze cup of Peanut Butter or Rainbow ice.
- You walk across the street to the park to eat it.
- You watch the bocce game or the older gentlemen playing chess.
It is basically a requirement for living in Queens. If you don't have a piece of fruit stuck in your teeth from a fresh lemon ice while sitting on a Moore Park bench, have you even really been to Corona?
The 2026 Reality: A Major Face-Lift
For a long time, the park was looking a little tired. The pavers were cracked, and the lighting was getting finicky.
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Starting in early 2025, the city finally broke ground on a massive $4.3 million reconstruction project. As of early 2026, the work is nearing completion. We’re talking about a total overhaul—new pavement, modernized seating, and way better drainage.
They’re also adding new plantings to give the space more of a "green oasis" feel, rather than just a concrete triangle. It’s part of a larger push by the city and local leaders like Council Member Francisco Moya to invest in these small "pocket parks" that serve as communal living rooms for people who live in crowded apartments.
More Than Just One Memorial
While Moore is the headliner, the park is actually a dense map of local history. There’s a bronze tablet commemorating 49 local soldiers who died in WWI.
There is also a memorial for the 241 service members who died in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing.
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At the southern tip, you’ll find a tree and a tablet dedicated to Joseph Lisa, Sr., a local political powerhouse who died in 1977. The park is a layer cake of different eras of Queens' history. Every time someone adds a plaque, the park gets a little more character.
How to Do the Park Right
Don't just show up and expect a playground. There isn't a traditional jungle gym here—for that, you’d head a few blocks over to the Josephine Caminiti Playground.
William F. Moore Park is for sitting. It is a place for observation.
If you want the authentic experience, go on a Tuesday or Thursday night when the bocce regulars are out. Grab a small espresso from a nearby cafe or an ice from the King. Find a bench. Put your phone away.
Actionable Advice for Visitors:
- Timing is Everything: Visit after 6:00 PM during the summer to see the bocce courts in full swing under the lights.
- Cash is King: While some places have modernized, keep a few bucks on you for the local vendors nearby.
- Parking is a Nightmare: Honestly, don't drive. Take the 7 train to 103rd St-Corona Plaza and walk the ten minutes. You'll thank me later.
- Respect the Game: If the bocce players look intense, it's because they are. Feel free to watch, but stay off the courts unless you're invited.
- Check the Progress: Since construction is wrapping up in early 2026, some sections might still be finishing their final "punch list" items. Check the NYC Parks website for the latest entrance closures.
The park represents the tension and the beauty of New York. It’s a place where a World War I hero is remembered by people eating Italian ices and speaking a dozen different languages. It’s small, it’s loud, and it’s perfectly Queens.