Alice Friedman, the greenways project manager for the city Department of Transportation, speaks with civic leaders and South Queens residents about the proposed greenway at a meeting in South Ozone Park last Thursday. Photos by Anna Gustafson
Hovering above maps of a proposed greenway around Jamaica Bay last Thursday, South Queens residents started putting pen to paper to document their concerns about the plan and, emblazoned in red marker, the words that appeared included: trash, drugs, keg parties, and a broken fence. All in all, residents said they could sum up both some of the current conditions in the spot where the city’s proposed greenway would go – as well as the proposal itself – in two words: a mess.
“We don’t want it to happen,” said Tom Mercatante, of Howard Beach. “Look at what’s happening in the neighborhood now – burglaries, robberies. Then, with this, you’re going to have another entryway to the community. We’ll fight this tooth and nail to keep it from happening.”
Last Thursday’s meeting, held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in South Ozone Park, is one in a series that the city Department of Transportation is sponsoring to gain input on its proposal to complete a 28-mile Jamaica Bay greenway, 10 miles of which has already been constructed.
Residents attending a meeting on a proposed greenway around Jamaica Bay wrote concerns about the plan on a map of the area proposed to be used for the path, including the fact that much of it has mass accumulations of trash and individuals have used it for drinking or drugs.
While residents said they were not opposed to the general concept of a greenway – which would create biking and hiking paths to the Howard Beach area – many of those at the meeting said they were less than pleased about the plan because they said it would bring thousands of strangers to their backyards. Currently, they noted that the area where the greenway would go is not well taken care of – including piles of trash, drug needles and alcohol containers littering the spot – prompting questions about future maintenance.
But Alice Friedman, the greenways project manager for the city DOT, stressed that the plan would create a relaxing spot for families – and transform an area that is currently difficult to walk around recreationally.
“It’s a place you could go with your kids,” Friedman said. “Greenways are a great way to introduce additional landscaping to streets. It’s a mini-park in and of itself.”
“It’s a really special place,” Friedman continued in reference to the greenway.
The greenway was first proposed 20 years ago, and portions of it have already been constructed in Broad Channel and along the Belt Parkway – which Friedman noted is used by about 100,000 people annually. Should the rest of the plan be implemented, there would be a 28-mile continuous path.
City DOT representatives stressed they wanted to work with the community to come up with the best possible plan.
“This is the first of multiple outreach meetings,” Friedman said. “We’ll come back with a draft plan in the fall.”
While area civic leaders said they appreciate the DOT seeking their input, CB 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton noted at the meeting that “storm resiliency takes priority over recreational activity.” Joann Ariola, a CB 10 member and president of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic, agreed, stressing that the area planned for the greenway served as a natural buffer during Hurricane Sandy, and she questioned what development in the area could mean in a future natural disaster.
“Ideally, we’d like to see it remain as is,” Ariola said of the space. “It would have an extremely negative impact on the residents all along the perimeter.”
Ariola and other civic leaders passed out a petition against the greenway at the inaugural meeting of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Tuesday night, which she expects hundreds of people will sign. After petitions are collected throughout the month, Ariola said they will be presented to CB 10 leadership.
By Anna Gustafson
