It might seem like old news, but it’s still worth talking about - Jackson Heights is getting more park space. This is a neighborhood that doesn’t have much of that, so it is a welcome advancement in the community. It will cost $6 million, and will be located at 33-16 79th Street (GMAP), adjacent to Travers Park. This is a 24,600 square foot “asphalt play yard” owned by the Garden School; the school will get to use the park from 8am-4pm during the school year.
We know there is a lot to be proud of in Queens – cultural institutions, parks, and restaurants, just to name a few. So what are you proud of? What really gets your Queens pride going? Let us know in the comments or via twitter at @queensnycity!
Motorcycles and Muni Meter receipts aren’t friendly with one another, so let’s just have free parking
Apparently motorcyclists have a hard time with Muni Meter receipts. Muni Meters are those kiosks where you purchase parking and leave the receipt in your vehicle to prove you’ve paid for your spot. All over the city you see them cropping up and slowly parking meters are going the way of the dodo (we are curious how this will affect bike parking, too, since parking meter poles are a prime spot for people to lock their bikes to), and the only way to prove you’ve paid for street parking is to have that little receipt showing, usually displayed on the dash.
Of course, with motorcycles, there is no interior, so motorcyclists are perplexed as to what to do with the receipts. Attached to the motorcycle, they are at the whim of wind and weather, as well as people that simply like to steal the receipts off the bike. DOT says motorcyclists should affix a clear plastic sleeve to hold the tickets. But motorcyclist and City Councilman Peter Vallone has another solution – free parking for all motorcycles in NYC!
Now that it’s cooling down, dig into potatoes and bacon
Since the weather has really turned Fall-like, it’s time to look to heartier foods, and we have a good one for you – Koliba’s potato spaetzle (dumplings). Koliba is a fantastic Czech/Slovak restaurant on 23rd Ave in Astoria (GMAP), and serves up delicious hearty Eastern European fare. The spaetzle, about an inch in length, are served with either a tangy sheep’s milk cheese and bacon or sauerkraut and bacon; we usually opt for the sheep’s milk cheese. The bacon is thick cut and the whole thing is fatty, carby goodness. It goes great with a Staropramen, too.
Greenpoint Landing in Brooklyn will have a fancy footbridge connected it to Queens
Greenpointers wrote about a massive development called Greenpoint Landing, that is coming to the northern tip of Greenpoint. The plans include a footbridge to LIC (over Newtown Creek) to be designed by Santiago Calatrava. He designed the WTC transit hub in Manhattan. Looks like Greenpoint and LIC will be kissing cousins in the waterfront highrise department.
LIC Vernon Blvd dog run fans and users – there’s a Facebook group for you
The LIC dog run on 48th Avenue and Vernon Blvd is a popular spot for pups and their parents. To join in conversation and community with others that use this dog run, there’s a Facebook group for you - Long Island City Vernon Blvd Dog Run.
Most photogenic spots in Queens? Parks are a popular choice
Sometimes you just need a break from it all: the rumble of the train, the text alerts, the taxi honks. Here are some of our favorite places to recharge.
The hidden pathways in Sunnyside Gardens – Sunnyside - You’ll know you’re stepping into this section of Sunnyside when the trees suddenly get taller, the gardens lusher, and the houses infinitely more charming. It’s the city’s largest private park, and it’s meticulously maintained. Keep your eye out for narrow pedestrian alleys that let you cut through the block surrounded by greenery. (GMAP)
Where to go for your next beach escape? There are lots of guides to finding the right Queens beach for a weekend getaway — Queens Mamas lists great beaches for kids, Huff Post lists a number of restaurants and activities on the peninsula, and Gothamist’s 2011 guide is rich with photos of good eats, architecture, and local dives. We’ll tell you how to get there, what to bring, and where to eat once you’ve made enough sandcastles to work up an appetite.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk - This beach is the easiest to access via subway. That means it’s where everyone else is headed too, which has its benefits — especially in the form of yummy goodness at Rockaway Taco and Veggie Island, and from the Shore Fruit bike kabob ladies. The masses generally pack in between Beach 85th and Beach 110th Streets, so if you want more peace and less party, we recommend either the swimming beach at Beach 60th Street or the end of the boardwalk past Beach 115th Street. The city-owned Rockaway Beach is super long, so take advantage of that fact to find your own spot to enjoy for the day. (GMAP)
What to bring - All you really need is your towel and your suit; you can pick up lunch, snacks, surfboards, and more in the neighborhood
Who to take - Everyone you know, including your foodie friends and your boogie-boarding kids
How to get there -
A train to Beach 57 St or beyond
A train to Broad Channel; transfer to S (shuttle) train to Beach 90 St or beyond
Q52/Q53 bus from Woodside, Elmhurst, or Forest Hills
We’ve got you covered for BBQ in Queens this hot July weekend. Pack a bag of charcoal, load the cooler with beer and burgers, and get to any of these parks to legally grill outdoors. Here is a map of all three parks.
Alley Pond Park - It’s a small park with a mostly blacktop area to BBQ so get there early to claim a grill. The best place to enter the park is at Springfield Blvd and 76th Ave. GMAP
Flushing Meadows Corona Park – Two BBQ areas and 24 grills make this park your best bet if you’re getting a late start after that brunch Bloody Mary. Go in at Jewel Ave and Van Wyck Expwy. GMAP
Forest Park, Woodhaven – 5 grills available in Forest Park, the largest continuous oak forest in Queens. You can enter at Woodhaven Blvd at Forest Park Dr for quickest grill access. GMAP
