Abandoned tracks in Queens

The Trust of Public Land has issued requests for proposals to conduct a feasibility study on a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned rail line in Queens that many people want to turn into the borough’s version of the High Line, DNAinfo reported.

Marc Matsil, New York State director for the Trust for Public Land, which is championing the project, told DNAinfo the winner will be picked in the next couple of months. One of the goals, he said, will be to generate support for the project among elected officials and the Queens community. [more]

Governor Cuomo and the abandoned rail line in Queens

A plan to build an above ground park on a 3.5 mile stretch of abandoned rail line in Queens just received a big endorsement in the form of a $467,000 grant from Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Trust for Public Land announced today, according to DNAinfo. The money is earmarked for a  feasibility study and analysis of what has been dubbed the QueensWay project, a controversial High Line-style park in Queens. “Now other people recognized that potentially this could be a great project for Queens,” Andrea Crawford, a member of Friends of the QueensWay, said. “Now it has real teeth and we are really excited.”… [more]

The abandoned rail line in Queens

The affects of Hurricane Sandy on Queens has galvanized the debate surrounding a 3.5-mile stretch of above-ground rail line connecting central Queens to the Rockaway peninsula, Crain’s reported. A community organization, known as the Friends of Queensway, for months has been fighting for a High Line-style park, which could revitalize the area with new restaurants and shops. But following the storm, the need for better infrastructure, particularly better transportation, has become apparent, and more voices are being raised in favor of restoring the old railroad line. [more]

Abandoned Rockaway Beach LIRR tracks

A proposal for creating a High Line-style park in Queens, dubbed the QueensWay, has met some opposition from local community groups, DNAinfo reported. The QueensWay proposal would turn 3.5 miles of abandoned rails into a public park.One of the groups that has been slow to embrace the plan is the Forest Hills Civic Association.

The QueensWay project is just one of two proposals for the rails. The other aims to rebuild the tracks, that run through such neighborhoods as Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Rego Park, into a commuter railway to the Rockaways. [more]

Rockaway Beach LIRR tracks

Is Queens’ future better served by more green space or improved public transit? Queens activists will meet this weekend to hash out the details of the much-discussed potential for a High Line-like park and the New York Daily News provided insight into the framework of the debate.

A group called Friends of QueensWay wants to transform the abandoned Rockaway Beach branch Long Island Rail Road tracks into an outdoor park. It has raised thousands for a study of their proposal, which proponents believe would make areas of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill safer and increase foot traffic to those under-the-radar neighborhoods. [more]