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Forest Hills Gardens Corporation
Monthly News & Updates
May, 2025
| | | Update on Concert Litigation | | |
On April 4th, the FHGC Board shared the encouraging news that progress had been made regarding the concert litigation. Whereas the Board values and respects all parties involved in this matter, the primary concern has always been to minimize the impact of the concerts on the surrounding community. Noise, crowd and traffic management, sanitation, access to homes and businesses and concert use and closure of our community’s streets consistent with historic norms are real and pressing issues that must be addressed to ensure a safe, respectful, and successful concert season for everyone.
The Board announced in their email distribution that in March, it offered professional mediation as a constructive path forward in the ongoing concert litigation, and they were pleased to announce that the West Side Tennis Club has agreed to participate. The Board looks forward to engaging in good-faith negotiations that prioritize thoughtful solutions and mutual respect. The Board also thanks the NYPD for its recognition of a very important legal principle that the Board will always fight for-- use and closure of private property by anyone for the benefit of a third party requires FHGC’s consent. We continue to reiterate to the NYPD and City that while FHGC embraces the NYPD’s vital role in policing our community, closures and concert operations on our private streets require FHGC consent.
We have since learned that the NYPD is considering approving a concert event on
May 31st with widespread street closures. We are concerned about the impact on our community and are addressing this event with NYPD and the Club at this time. We are committed to resolving issues related to this single event and any further events the Club may propose for 2025 in a constructive manner. But FHGC will not waiver from its core commitment to a program of closures that reflects historic norms, compliance with the Noise Code and recognition of the requirement to FHGC’s consent.
To read Inspector Gallagher’s March 19, 2025 letter, click here, and his April 14, 2025 letter regarding a proposed May 31 event, click here. It is vital that our members stay informed about shutdowns in this community, especially those whose homes and streets are directly impacted.
The Board extends their heartfelt thanks to our community for its ongoing support, patience, and encouragement. The community's voices and well-being continue to guide their efforts.
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Be Part of the Celebration! | |
It is almost here! The Celebrations Association of Forest Hills Gardens is hard at work preparing for the beloved Children's Day festivities, a time-honored tradition that beautifully unites our community in a joyful celebration of spring!
Set for Saturday, June 7th, this enchanting day is all about laughter, fun, and connection—where young families can bond over shared experiences while long-time residents give back, volunteering their time and efforts to the community that shaped their children's lives, and relive the joy of their own children’s adventures.
Every family is encouraged to circle this date on their calendars and join their fellow neighbors in creating magical memories for our little ones, as well as rekindling the cherished spirit of togetherness that defines Forest Hills Gardens. Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming flyer from the Celebrations Association, which will detail all the exciting events planned for the day, reminding us all of the importance of participation and the vibrant community spirit that makes our neighborhood such a wonderful place to call home!
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FHG Foundation Revisits Historic
Land Grab by NYC in 1931-35
| Take a look at the FHG Foundation article page for a fascinating look back at the loss of Gardens property to the City to make way for the Interborough Parkway (renamed the Jackie Robinson Parkway in 1997). | |
Aerial Photo of The Kew-Forest School and Union Turnpike taken in 1931
BEFORE the Parkway was constructed.
(Note you can see subway construction in upper left corner and a grassy median down the
"original / old" Union Turnpike
(photo courtesy of The Kew-Forest School)
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Gardens Infrastructure
Upgrades Continue
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As National Grid continues their city-wide infrastructure upgrades in Forest Hills Gardens, they need to visit some of the homes in their current work area in order verify where the gas service comes into the house. You may be visited by either a representative from National Grid or their sub-contractor Hallen Construction for this review. All representatives should provide appropriate identification if requested.
If you have any questions, please email info@fhgc.org or call the office at 718-268-2420. Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated and will help to expedite the completion of this work.
| Pansies Installed in Station Square | After a somewhat chilly beginning to Spring, Friends of Station Square were happy to be able add pansies to various locations around the square, notably the rose planters leading up to Greenway Terrace and the bed outside the former Reading Room. These cheerful flowers added to the already dazzling display of daffodils on the LIRR side of the Square. Happy Spring everyone! | Roadway Changes and Installations | |
An email went out from the Board on 4/13/25 and again on 4/25/25 regarding roadway modifications are a result of their continued collaboration with VHB (traffic consultants) and Liz Sargent HLA (historic landscape architects), and our residents’ input from last summer's roadways workshop.
Noted in their communication from last week, new temporary changes were implemented to Rockrose Place (between Greenway North and Greenway South) and Norden Road. As per guidance from VHB, these designated areas will now be one way. Please pay attention to the new signage.
The next phase is set to begin in a few months and will include areas around PS 101 and Ascan Avenue. Stay tuned for more!
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Many Gardens homeowners had huge chunks of their property taken by the City in 1934 when the Jackie Robinson Parkway was built. Some residents had their entire front yards right up to their front door - and in one case, even 9 feet of their actual home - taken over by the construction (see article). | Committees Plan Various Projects for our Legacy Parks | |
The Upkeep, Architecture and Landscape Committees recently highlighted via email their joint collaboration on the next steps for the Gardens' multi-phased restoration project for our valued community parks.
New plantings, walkway restoration and continued spring grass and soil treatments are planned for the coming months. More details and photos to come!
| Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Report Available | Our treasurer, Robert Lehrman, distributed an email in April to all residents that the FHGC auditors, Marin & Montanye, have completed the Financial Report dated March 26, 2025. It is now available on the Forest Hills Gardens website. Additionally, paper copies are available at the FHGC office upon request. | Queens Bus Routes Are Changing This Summer! | Starting in June, new NYC bus routes will go in effect, skirting around our neighborhood's private streets. Please click on this link for more specific details | |
Year Long
Gardens Resident:
The Carolina Wren
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The Carolina Wren is a small, typically non-migratory bird that resides throughout the Eastern Seaboard and into Canada to the North and down to Mexico to the South.
They are commonly found in wooded and shrubby areas, as well as at backyard feeders. Only the male sings the distinctive and piercing songs that emanate from this tiny bird. Carolina Wrens are monogamous and will pair for life with both parents helping raise the young.
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Security Corner:
April Update
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Everyone should be aware that we have had several residents report of individuals breaking into cars in driveways. Fortunately there have been no reports of anything stolen. Nonetheless this is still an invasive attempt to perhaps partake in theft or vandalism.
We encourage all residents to keep their doors and windows locked and report these types of incidents to the 112th precinct so they have a record of these crimes. In addition, please notify the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation office of any such activity so that we can share the news with the entire community, if necessary.
As always, as the eyes and ears of the neighborhood, if you see anything, notify the office so that we can work together to protect the Gardens.
| | | Maybe you have noticed shots of the Gardens on Spectrum News NY1 | | | | | Gardens Committees Get to Work | |
The FHGC Executive Committee is exited to announce the formation of ten dedicated committees, each tasked with the essential responsibility of maintaining and enhancing the beauty and functionality of our cherished neighborhood. The Committees and their respective Chairs are as follows:
Architecture - Steve Thomas and Sid Rose
Communication - Christine O'Brien Beydoun and Fouad Beydoun
Finance - Bob Lehrman and Sue Gregg
Landscape – Anthony Oprisiu
Law - Matthew Mandell
Membership - Bruce Eaton
Parking - Sid Rose and Tony Barsamian
Security - Fouad Beydoun and Tony Barsamian
Tree - Larry Pearlstein and Anthony Oprisiu
Upkeep - Art Masella and Rob Webb
These committees, helmed by enthusiastic Chairs, are poised to tackle various aspects and neighborhood needs, from landscaping and event planning to safety and sustainability initiatives. Pooling their collective expertise and passion, these committees are tasked with not only upholding the standards of our community but also fostering a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie among residents.
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Upcoming Community Events:
-Musica Reginae Productions: Free Children's Concert - Saturday, May 3, 2025
-American Legion Continental Post #1424: Annual Forest Hills Memorial Day Weekend Parade - Sunday, May 25, 2025
-Celebrations Association of Forest Hills: Children's Day - Saturday, June 7, 2025
-Musica Reginae Productions: Free Children's Concert - Saturday, June 7, 2025
-Forest Hills Gardens Corporation: Flag Day Celebration - Saturday, June 14, 2025
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Forest Hills Gardens Communication Committee:
Fouad Beydoun (co-chair), Christine O'Brien Beydoun (co-chair),
Wendy Bachman, Ann Chamberlain, Jennifer Meier, Steve Silberberg,
Mona Tata, Catherine Wigdor, Rose Wolner
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