Jackson Heights Life

I just noticed a new aluminum sidewalk bench installed on the corner of 37th Avenue and 76th Street. Are there others or plans to have more throughout the neighborhood?

And here I had just assumed that was a gift to the neighborhood from the Dime Savings Bank on that corner, since they had just recently renovated. Oh well.

I submitted a few requests for more CityBenches for Jackson Heights. The process is very easy through the link in my last post.

From what I read, I do think we would have a better chance of getting more of these benches if a neighborhood group were to submit a large request. I would still encourage individuals to submit requests for any location they would like to see a bench that also meets the criteria the DOT lists on their website.

If there is a neighborhood group out there reading this that is interested in submitting a request for many benches and needs someone to organize, please reach out to me. I'd be happy to do so.

Below is a photo of the CityBench on 76th Street on the corner of 37th Avenue.

Matt,
  I agree that the bench looks great and wish there were many more + more bike racks. Try contacting the JHBG through
their webpage or directly at info@jhbg.org. They have been working hard for many years tracking the new tree planting and
requests. On average it seems like a 1 1/2 to 2 year period between the request and the actual trees in the ground. JHBG
also helps insure the survival of these street trees in their early years when they are so vulnerable. Keeping trash, dog urine
and other stuff like decorative lights is a problem here. But applause for your interest and efforts. Maybe join the Green
Agenda part of JHBG and work through them.
 

Matt,
  There are two different local groups and how they vary as I see it is this. The Jackson Heights Beautification Group has been around for 25 years and addresses
green, environmental concerns as well as civic matters, the historic district, tree lighting, composting, the dog run, our new community orchestra among other
things. It has members and events and volunteers as well as Facebook/twitter accounts with news. The Green Agenda seems to also want more green space
but is primarily focused on Travers Park and Playstreet and activities for little ones and have been around something like 3-4 yrs. They are both good groups
but JHBG casts a wider net as far as the neighborhood goes and is more hands on.
  I know that the tree planting can be erratic. A lot of trees that were requested over a year ago were just planted in December. I think someone said we got
40 new trees in JH in December which is not an optimum time to plant anything here so we'll have to help nuture these trees along. Sometimes they can
be delivered faster but it can be because you are duplicating a previous request which was not yet filled. I know that two years ago a massive request was
put in for Jackson Heights trees and we got quite a few - but not all- the trees from that time. I also know that someone is working on a list of best trees for
our neighborhood given the amount of branches dropped in recent weather events.
 I think the benches are wonderful and would love to see more of them. I know that the benches that used to be at the Post Office were removed because
some folks were doing their toilet activities and the postal clerks were none too happy to add cleaning up crap to their job description. So there are hazards
but these look like they could be hosed down easily if the neighboring businesses lend a hand in keeping them clean.
  As for the bike racks, I remember hearing that Danny Dromm's office was going to get more of those. We could sure use them and in fact, it would be great to
have one of those covered little huts for the bike racks like the have in Union Square and on 31st Avenue in Astoria near Grand Liquors. Up by 37th avenue,
the bikes attached to trees are yet another hazard for our trees health. It's amazing when you think about the abuse that they are as many standing as we
have!
 So thanks for your efforts on these improvements and whether you join a group or keep going individually, JH is better off when we ask for these
upgrades so good on ya for doing it.

Hey... just walked past and saw that this bench on 76th Street had been knocked over...and is lying on its side...on the sidewalk.

Anyone know what happened?

A Car???

Thanks for the info on where to report it.  I saw the fallen bench today but hadn't gotten around to looking up how to report.

Londonjo

queens has maintained its neighborhood identity in that manner intentionally since the boroughs consolidated in 1898. it's not a slight. it's a matter of pride and longtime residents would be incredibly angry if it changed.

people in Brooklyn write 'Brooklyn,' people in the Bronx write 'Bronx,' people in queens write in their neighborhood designation.