Born Free: A New Adventure teach the lioness how to survive in the wild. In 1960, Joy Adamson published a book called "Born Free", based on her (and her husband, George Adamson) experience raising the lioness Elsa. The book was followed by two others, "Living Free" (1961) and "Forever Free" (1963). In 1966, the first book was adapted into a movie. The film was a commercial and critical success, leading to a 1969 documentary called "The Lions are Free" and then a sequel, released in 1972 and based on the third book, but using the name of the second book. In 1974, the NBC did
Travers Park acquired land for Travers Park by condemnation. The park was named in honor of Jackson Heights community leader Thomas J. Travers, and dedicated on July 26, 1949. The park underwent a major renovation in the mid-1990s, vastly improving what had been a badly neglected playground. A series of green planting areas were created through the northern half of the park that still flourish today. Many of the shrubs, perennials and fencing protecting them are the work of Friends of Travers Park, which continues to maintain the plantings and provides community input to the New York City Parks Department. A movement