Long Island Beginnings

The tip of Long Island, as seen from Gantry State Plaza in Queens

High Rises aren't exactly what you'd first associate with suburban Long Island and people are often confused why Long Island is so boldly written across old container lifts at Gantry State Plaza in Queens. But as a matter of fact, not only Queens but Brooklyn as well technically are part of Long Island indeed. Even though both boroughs are a far cry from suburban lawns and picket fences. Incidentally, this part of town - with it's spectacular Manhattan views - has been booming for a few years and it's a far cry from the Queens I moved to in 1998. None of these buildings existed back then, and the park had just opened!