City's Plan for a Queens Greenway Moves Forward, Connects Parks for Bicyclists and Pedestrians

The conceptual Queens plan that includes a greenway at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Source: NYC Parks)

Feb. 9, 2022 By Christian Murray

The city is one step closer to creating a pedestrian/bicyclist greenway that would link several parks in central and eastern Queens together.

The Parks Department and the Department of Transportation announced Monday that it has completed a conceptual study—and has found ways to create a pedestrian and bicyclist link from Flushing Meadows Corona Park through Kissena Park, Cunningham Park, Alley Pond Park and Joe Michaels Mile.

The departments made the announcement upon the completion of a study titled “Destination: Greenways!” that identified ways to connect them together. The study also looked at ways to transform the greenspaces into both a destination and a thoroughfare for bicycle and pedestrian access.

The city agencies looked at the route in Queens—as well as a potential greenway along Brooklyn’s southwest shoreline.

“The Destination: Greenways! study makes it abundantly clear that this project can increase critical access in Brooklyn and Queens and make greenways safer and more inviting for New Yorkers,” said NYC Parks Acting Commissioner Liam Kavanagh. “This work has the potential to enhance treasured open spaces, close the gap between neighborhoods, and provide access to some of the City’s most scenic routes.”

The plan has the backing of several Queens officials.

“With the Destination: Greenways! plan, we can better connect our Northern and Eastern Queens neighborhoods, improving the well-being and quality-of-life of thousands of residents in the process,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “From Flushing Meadows to Alley Pond and beyond, parks are critical cornerstones of our communities, connecting Queens families to nature and to one another.”

The public helped the DOT and Parks Dept. during the conceptual planning process. Public meetings were held in fall 2020, where residents expressed their desire for improved safety while increasing connectivity between parks.

Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who represents Elmhurst and Jackson Heights and is the Chair of the council’s Committee on Parks and Recreation, also announced his support of the plan.

“Greenways are an important way to provide vital park space for the community to enjoy, while also creating thoroughfares for pedestrians and bike commuters,” Krishnan said. “I’m excited that the DOT and NYC Parks are making progress towards expanding greenways in historically underserved areas of Queens and Brooklyn,”