The Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor museum and public park in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. The park was founded by American sculptor, Mark di Suvero in 1986. It sits atop what was once a landfill and illegal dumpsite. In 1998, after the park’s temporary lease had expired, a developer attempted to buy the four-acre space and use it as the location for a new luxury apartment project. The developer’s plan fell through when New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, granted the space permanent city park status. It is now a much sought after exhibition spot for local and international artists.