LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch: Park Lane South
Richmond Hill, Queens, NY 11418
The rail line exits the south end of Forest Park with a bridge at Park Lane South. When I visited, further passage south was inhibited by a pair of razor-wire-topped chain link fences, although both had cuts that made it possible to get through. The vegetation on the viaduct south through Richmond Hill was quite dense, and given the heavy fencing by adjacent property owners, it was unclear how I would be able to get off the viaduct. Therefore, I exited through another fence down to Park Lane South.
Just to the southeast of the Park Lane South bridge is Park Lane South condominiums. This was a smoking pipe factory built in 1895 by William Demuth, a German immigrant who formed his own company in 1862. In 1937, the company was bought by S.M. Frank, a former employee and founder of a rival pipe-making company.
Park Lane South bridge
Looking back north toward Forest Park
Park Lane South bridge
Park Lane South bridge (video)
Hole through the north fence
Park Lane South bridge
Park Lane South bridge
Park Lane South
Park Lane South bridge (video)
Fence on the south side of the bridge
Fence on the south side of the bridge
Fence on the south side of the bridge
Dense overgrowth
Strong fencing to protect adjacent properties
Looking north
Park Lane South condos and PS 254
Trees down on the tracks
Fence behind PS 254
PS 254 - Rosa Parks School
40.697175, -73.847759
Pathway down to Park Lane South
Hole in the fence providing access to Park Lane South
Hole in the fence providing access to Park Lane South
Park Lane South bridge
Park Lane South bridge
WM Demuth and Company / S.M. Frank and Company
40.698095, -73.848270
Park Lane South Condominiums
Park Lane South Condominiums