FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, January 24
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press@ny4p.org
New Yorkers for Parks Convenes LIC Elected Officials, Advocates and Residents to Highlight Open Space Needs in One of NYC’s Least Green Districts
LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) and the Play Fair Coalition convened elected officials, open space advocates and residents in Long Island City on Saturday to tour anticipated sites of green infrastructure enhancement ahead of the OneLIC rezoning.
Participants highlighted both recent progress and persistent gaps in green infrastructure as the neighborhood prepares for growth. Though optimistic about $2 billion in transformative local investments, speakers emphasized that new housing must be matched with a comprehensive, neighborhood-wide open space strategy — especially given that Queens Community District 2 remains among the least green districts in New York City.
In partnership with Council Member Julie Won, the “Long Island City Walk & Talk to Build a Strong Park System” brought together more than 200 local residents, alongside representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and open space advocates including Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, the Court Square Civic Association, LIC Partnership, New York League of Conservation Voters, Transportation Alternatives, Design Trust for Public Space, NYC Greenways Coalition, Friends of Queensbridge Park, Newtown Creek Alliance, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, The Floating Hospital, Con Edison and Green Shores NYC.
“Long Island City’s rapid population growth demands new parks and open spaces, especially in areas like Queensbridge that have historically been underserved. Today’s Walk & Talk brought neighbors together to shape the future of our parks and strengthen our community,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Since taking office, I have fought to expand open spaces, from the Baseline to OneLIC. Thanks to Queensbridge residents’ tireless advocacy, Queensbridge Baby Park will now be restored as part of the nearly 15 acres of new parkland and over $200 million investment for new and existing parks secured through OneLIC. But this work is not over. Thank you to NY4P for your partnership. We look forward to improving our LIC parks system for all our neighbors.”
“Long Island City has seen unprecedented growth and deserves a park system to match. We must deliver accessible, connected open spaces that build resilience against recurring flooding while finally completing a continuous public waterfront esplanade from Queensbridge to Gantry Plaza. By proactively coordinating with agencies and utilities, we can transform underutilized city-owned sites into vibrant green infrastructure. I am proud to stand with New Yorkers for Parks, Council Member Julie Won, and this broad coalition to ensure that as LIC grows, our commitment to essential public space grows with it,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
“How we plan for growth in Long Island City will shape quality of life for decades to come,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “Too many residents in Queens Community District 2 still lack access to nearby, safe, and well-maintained parks. Investments tied to OneLIC are an important step, but they must be part of a comprehensive open space strategy that better serves local neighborhoods. I’m proud to stand with residents and advocates calling for green space to be treated as critical infrastructure for a healthier, more equitable city.”
“Every Queens resident, regardless of ZIP code or socioeconomic status, deserves access to high-quality open space. Delivering that kind of open space for Western Queens families through the OneLIC Rezoning is a top priority, and I look forward to working with all our public and private sector partners to ensure we achieve that goal," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "Thank you to our friends at New Yorkers for Parks and the Play Fair Coalition for convening this tour, as we center the importance of park space and the transformative power it has on the holistic health of our families.”
The recently approved OneLIC rezoning is expected to deliver roughly $2 billion in local investments, including 15 new acres of public space, much of it along the waterfront. Advocates acknowledged the importance of these investments while stressing that they will not, on their own, meet the needs of a rapidly growing community where many residents still lack access to nearby parks, playgrounds, and safe, welcoming open space.
“As Long Island City continues to grow, the need for equitable access to open space has never been clearer,” said Kathy Park Price, Director of Policy and Advocacy for New Yorkers for Parks. “While new investments promise forward momentum, these will not be enough on their own to serve a rapidly growing district that ranks among the city’s lowest in park space per capita. We need comprehensive planning that prioritizes open space as essential infrastructure. Today’s walk made clear that sustained funding, strategic development of underutilized land, and community-led planning are necessary to ensure all residents benefit from growth.”
The guided walk visited a series of sites illustrating both opportunity and unmet demand, including The Baseline, a former DOT lot converted into public space in Court Square; Dutch Kills Green; Queensbridge Baby Park, slated for a five-acre expansion; and Queensbridge Park, which will anchor a new waterfront esplanade. Together, the stops highlighted the importance of creative reuse of underutilized land, sustained funding, and community-led planning.
Speakers shared on-the-ground perspectives and welcomed input about broader parks and open space needs in the neighborhood and district. Among the local priorities they highlighted were the revitalization of Queensbridge Baby Park to its former glory as a haven for parents and children and the conversion of a land parcel in Hunters Point South into a multi-use sports field to provide much-needed green space for local schools and waterfront parks visitors.
“I was fortunate enough growing up to have access to what was once the Queensbridge Baby Park…,” said Daniel Taylor, lifelong Queensbridge Houses resident.
"As Long Island City grows, new housing has to come with real investments in green space and safe, connected places to walk and bike," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director at Transportation Alternatives.
“Hunters Point Parks Conservancy has been working since 1998 to advocate for green spaces in Long Island City…,” said Jessica Sechrist, Executive Director, Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.
“As Long Island City continues to grow, new development must be paired with a comprehensive, neighborhood-wide approach to open space…,” said Laura Rothrock, President of the Long Island City Partnership.
“This convening of community organizations and elected officials in Long Island City underscores the need to prioritize open space access…,” said Matthew Clarke, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space.
“As Long Island City continues to grow, access to safe, welcoming green space is essential…,” said Christopher Hanway, Executive Director, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement.
“Given the significant potential to create green space and waterfront access to Newtown Creek…,” said Willis Elkins, Executive Director of Newtown Creek Alliance.
“The opportunity to reimagine and reclaim open space in this part of the district is long overdue…,” said Katie Ellman, President of Green Shores NYC.
"Con Edison is committed to partnering with community organizations to expand accessible open spaces…,” said Ruth Fasoldt, Director, Government and Community Affairs, Con Edison.
The Long Island City Walk & Talk marked the second event in NY4P’s citywide series focused on districts with severe open space shortages. In its 2025 Open Space Solutions report, NY4P identified Queens Community Board 2 — which includes Long Island City — as one of the most park-poor districts citywide.
The series advances NY4P’s broader priorities outlined in its Parks 2030 platform and First 100 Days for Parks agenda.
About New Yorkers for Parks
New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) is the citywide independent organization championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods. For more than a century, NY4P has led the movement to protect, invest in, and strengthen New York City’s park system.
About Play Fair Coalition
Play Fair for Parks is a citywide advocacy campaign and 400+ member coalition calling for #1Percent4Parks and elevating parks as essential infrastructure. New Yorkers for Parks co-founded Play Fair alongside the New York League of Conservation Voters and District Council 37.