South Queens Residents Prefer Train Alternatives Over New Park Project

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS – Residents of south Queens on Sunday called against the construction of the QueensWay linear park, which was announced last month. Protesters voiced their preference for new transportation alternatives instead of a park corridor.

In September, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a $35 million investment for design and construction of the Metropolitan Hub in Queens, which is the first phase of the QueensWay park project.

But Queens lawmakers expressed on Sunday that borough residents prefer the city to invest in a transit project called the QueensLink, a proposed subway expansion plan that would stretch the M or G train from Queens Boulevard to the Rockaways.

Speaking to the dozens of people that gathered on Beach 92nd Street, Councilwoman Joann Ariola said that the project would help support people in the Rockaways, Howard Beach, Ozone Park and Richmond Hill, the Queens Chronicle reported.

“Every day when I go to the City Council, I hear about less cars, more bikes, less cars, more alternative transportation, alternatives to transportation,” she told Queens Chronicle. “This is an alternative to taking your car.”

The QueensLink project proposes using a defunct rail line, according to the Queens Gazette. The Rockaway Beach Branch closed completely in 1962 and several proposals have suggested to reopen it.