Parks Department responds to Queens Greenway advocacy

By Sarah Neilson

In response to “Opinion: Bridge the highway barriers separating Queens parks from communities” published on March 24, 2021, NYC Parks is in agreement that community members in Central Queens need a greenway that is better connected, easier to navigate, and shows off some of the borough’s most picturesque parks. 

That’s why NYC Parks, in close partnership with NYC Department of Transportation,  is currently working on a planning project, called “Destination: Greenways!” with nearly the same objectives that Imas and Orff lay out in their piece: access, connectivity, safety, and improved conditions. 

The Queens route for this community planning project extends from Flushing Meadows Corona Park through Kissena, Cunningham, and Alley Pond Parks, and up Joe Michael’s Mile. While it is bookended and connected by parks, we are working closely with DOT to address the vital on-street connection points between those parks, to create a continuous, accessible, and safe experience for bikers and walkers along the route. 

The projects arising from this conceptual planning process will connect separated greenway segments to each other, provide greater access to open space, and create a destination experience for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities. Together with a similar greenway project in Brooklyn along Shore Parkway, this project will improve approximately 20 miles of quality open space that integrates greenways into neighborhoods that have been historically disconnected from each other and the waterfront.

Last fall, Parks kicked off the planning process with two public meetings that were attended by over 250 participants who gave us feedback on how they currently use the paths, areas of congestion, places  where signage is needed, points of interest along the routes, and paving or other maintenance needs. We will share initial project ideas with the community later this spring.  Our goal is for this planning study to yield a set of community-approved Greenways improvement projects, for which we will seek capital funds later this year and next.  

We hope that Queens Eagle readers will join us for these upcoming meetings, and invite their neighbors, too. Community voices are key to ensuring that this is a greenway that Queens can be proud of. We will share the dates and registration info as the meetings are finalized, please be sure to check out the NYC Parks website www.nyc.gov/parks for updates. 

Sarah Neilson is NYC Parks Department chief of policy and long-range planning.