Whenever I tell people that I am from Kings Park, I am usually met with an "um, where is that?" or "oh, that's where the insane asylum is!" Believe it or not though, Kings Park actually does exist, and there is more to this little town than the abandoned psychiatric center. If you're from Kings Park, you'll be able to understand and relate to these things.
1. You're so used to living near the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.
I have lived down the block from this abandoned psychiatric center all of my life, so I guess you can say that I am desensitized to it. However, it is crazy to think that these buildings have housed thousands of mentally ill patients and that people actually come to Kings Park from all over in order to explore these buildings. I will drive past these buildings without giving them a second thought because I have grown up here, and I hope that one day these lands will be put to good use.
2. You know the good sledding spots.
I'm talking about you, hill across the street from the Kings Park Jewish Center.
3. The lack of Starbucks.
We have two 7-11s and a Dunkin'. The last time we had a good coffee joint in Kings Park was the Coffee Beanery (RIP), which is now Dixie's Smokehouse.
4. You went to Kings Park High School, and you knew everyone.
With a graduating class of only 300 people, everyone knew everybody's business. You also had to deal with the back parking lot, where nobody ever knew how to drive. Also, the "Kings Park loves you alive sign" -- what does it mean?
5. Speaking of Kings Park High School, you had to deal with the bathrooms from the 1600s.
Lack of soap? Check. .05 ply square toilet paper? Check. Tampons on the floor? Check.
6. You were so excited to make your senior shirts.
You spent the summer before your senior year on Custom Ink thinking of the inside jokes you had to put on your senior shirt which you only wore on the first and last days of school.
7. You went to senior sunrise (and it rained).
In addition to senior shirts, another senior tradition was the senior sunrise and sunset at the good ol' bluff. Hopefully, at your senior sunrise there wasn't a 14-car pile up on the way to your first day of senior year.
8. You know to avoid Key Food at all costs.
Key Food is known as the place with the overpriced groceries and a run-down aesthetic. You also know what goes on behind Key Food.
9. Every other place is a Chinese food place or a nail salon.
Or a pizza place.
10. Speaking of food, Relish is an absolute Godsend.
Relish is definitely my go-to food joint, and is known for its delicious fresh food, local beer and to-die-for shakes! If only the parking lot was a little bigger.
11. You know that Andersen's is the best deli in Kings Park.
Andersen's is my to-go place for breakfast sandwiches and chopped salads.
12. You know to go to Park Bake Shop for fresh pastries.
I love their donuts and challah bread!
13. You've had a mini high school reunion at Shanahan's.
Ah, yes, good old Shanahan's, right by the psych center. Not shady at all. You've probably had a $6 beer here, and made small talk with someone you haven't seen in five years over some live music from your fellow alumni.
14. You have canoed or kayaked your way down the Nissequogue River.
One of my favorite things to do over the summer!
15. You know when to avoid the Sunken Ghetto.
Sunken Meadow State Park is a beautiful place, don't get me wrong, but you just know when it needs to be avoided at all costs, and to go to Callahan's instead.
16. You know the good times to go to Sunken Meadow.
Walking down the Sunken Meadow Boardwalk is one of my favorite things about Kings Park. It is to me, personally, the second best place in Kings Park to watch the sunset.
17. You know and love everything about the Kings Park Bluff.
You've probably sat in your car and watched the breathtaking sunset. You've also probably hiked the trail from the Bluff to Sunken Meadow, while taking in the natural beauty that the North Shore has to offer.
