For years, the residents of Glen Oaks, Bellerose, Douglaston, and Little Neck have been disconnected to the great parkland in Eastern Queens due to the Cross Island Parkway. That would change overnight if we build a greenway across the Creedmoor campus. This project would give neighborhood families better access to parkland, providing much-needed outdoor spaces for recreation and connection. It’s the kind of improvement that brings a community closer together. So why hasn’t it happened yet?

The plan has cleared major hurdles—it’s passed both houses at the state level—not once, but twice. And yet, two governors have vetoed it. The strange part? There’s no real opposition to the greenway. It’s a project that has broad support from the community. It would build on other greenway efforts already funded in nearby Peck Park, Kissena Park, and Flushing Meadows. With the unquestionable success of Joe Michaels Mile and the Vanderbuilt Motor Parkway, it’s hard not to feel frustrated when a good idea with clear benefits gets stalled for no reason.

Thankfully, there’s a chance you can make a difference. The Empire State Development is holding a zoom call public hearing on March 19, 2025, where community members can voice their support of a greenway from their own homes. This is your opportunity to speak up for a project that could benefit not just your family but future generations. The hearing is part of the process of finalizing the General Project Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, and every comment—whether spoken at the hearing or written before April 18, 2025—counts.

Date: March 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Register for the zoom call here https://bit.ly/4bn1w8H

The Motor Parkway East group has been fighting for some type of greenway connector here for over a decade now. Both the Destination:Greenways! project to the west and the Long Island Greenway to the east have seen major investments recently. Missing this crucial gap in the middle means our neighbors won’t have access to either, a major misstep for New Yorkers.

The Creedmoor greenway is more than a strip of parkland; it’s a statement of values, a rejection of inertia and indecision. So, mark your calendars. Let’s ensure that when history asks where we stood on this issue, our answer is resounding and clear. Because this isn’t just about a greenway—it’s about designing the community we want to live in.