The QueensWay

The QueensWay is the transformation of a 3.5 mile stretch of the abandoned 50 year-old Rockaway Beach Branch Rail Line (extending from Rego Park and Forest Hills to Ozone Park) into a "cultural greenway" that will become a community amenity enjoyed by residents, workers, pedstrians, cyclists and visitors to Central and Southern Queens. It will be a catalyst for culture and arts programs and economic change. It will celebrate the rich ethnic diversity of Queens, the most diverse borough in New York City. The Friends of the QueensWay (FQW) has worked closely with local community leaders and has partnered with the Trust for Public Land to realize this vision.

• Serve as a pedestrian connector and feeder from Rego Park and Ozone Park to Forest Park.
• Become an integral part of the NYC Bicycle path system throughout Queens.
• Encourage economic and cultural development in the Borough of Queens through the celebration of its rich ethnic diversity.
• Create landscaped paths, community gardens, cultural and arts event spaces adjoining discrete seating areas along its lengths that offer open vistas out over the urban fabric.
• Provide easy access at strategic intersections along its length to public transportation and proper illumination.
• Protect and maintain the privacy of adjacent residential properties.

The transformation of the Rockaway Rail Line into a "cultural greenway" is a multi-year project that will start with the undertaking of a feasibility study to identify the opportunities and constraints and the cost of undertaking this transformation. The result of the feasibity study and fundraising will be the construction of a northern demonstration segment between Rego Park and Forest Park. We plan to begin the Feasibility Study by December 2012 and complete the Study by June 2013.

Our goal on ioby is to raise $50,000 towards the funding of a feasibility study that will assess:

• Structural and Environmental conditions and prepare an engineering report
• Engage The Community in identifying Desired Features 
• Prepare a preliminary Master Plan
• Identify funding sources for Maintenance and Operations 
• Prepare Cost estimates for Construction

The Borough of Queens is the most underserved of all the boroughs in the category of open green space for its residents. The QueensWay, 8.45 acres of green space, will act as a community and cultural connector along its north-south path.