Jamaica Hills and Briarwood

Understanding Jamaica Hills and Briarwood

The park first carried the names Highland Park and Upland Park before its 1935 renaming. Community work restored the pond after its springs dried up, adding a liner, filtration and a wildlife island.

Jamaica High School opened on Gothic Drive in 1927, replacing overcrowded facilities elsewhere. William H. Gompert designed a broad Georgian Revival building on the hill, with brick walls, granite columns and a tiered cupola. Its large landscaped setting reflects the space available as this part of Queens developed.

Places to explore

• Captain Tilly Park / Goose Pond

  Jamaica Hills area

  Look at the pond and surrounding landscape, then choose a sitting or play area. The history explains the pond's restoration; it does not offer swimming or boating access.

• Briarwood Library

  85-12 Main Street

  Use the branch for reading or choose a current community program. This is a distinct Briarwood destination, rather than part of a Captain Tilly Park visit.

• Jamaica High School building exterior

  167-01 Gothic Drive

  Look from public streets for the symmetrical front, central columns and cupola above the hill. NYC Public Schools lists active schools at this shared campus. This is an exterior architecture stop; no campus, field or interior access is offered.

Planning a visit

Use Gothic Drive for the historic school exterior and current park information for Captain Tilly Park. The Briarwood library is a separate destination. Choose a stop first, then check current MTA service.

Queens Public Library lists wheelchair access at Briarwood. Captain Tilly's current restroom opening and step-free approaches still need checking.