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Forest Hills Gardens Corporation
Monthly News & Updates
August 2026
| | | Declaration #3 Renewal Update | |
Hopefully by now you have heard that the FHGC has started the process of renewing Declaration #3 (also called our Covenants & Restrictions) as the document itself requires us to do every 20 years. The initial filings of the FHGC’s intent to renew has been recorded with Queens County and owners or signatories for 70 properties have signed their assent. Those assents will be filed with Queens County shortly.
Signatures were gathered at three FHGC events in June, by homeowners on the Dec #3 Renewal Committee and by the FHGC office members. There will soon be a concerted effort by the Dec #3 Renewal Committee to approach homeowners one on one as well as at future community events. You can also sign your assent at the FHGC office during normal business hours, as several hundred homeowners did the last time Dec #3 was renewed. The legal signatories need to sign; each person whose name is on the deed or individual signatories who are authorized through a Trust, LLC or other entity. If you would like to come in to sign or if you have questions, please call the office at 718-268-2420 or email: info@fhgc.com.
As a reminder, Dec #3 can get renewed only by the assent of 67% of the residential land area of The Gardens (excludes streets, sidewalks, parks, etc). Twenty years ago, 613 separate property assents were recorded to renew Dec #3.
Forest Hills Gardens’ essence derives from Dec #3. Specifically, some of the benefits and protections that Dec #3 provides to Gardens homeowners include:
- Dec #3 is the source for our review and enforcement over FHGC architecture. Maintaining architectural standards creates much of the beauty of FHG.
- Dec #3 gives the FHGC the right to charge maintenance fees, which are used to maintain the landscaping in the parks, the upkeep of our streets, our sidewalks, our historic lampposts, snow removal, etc.
- With Dec 3 in place, our properties are NOT subject to NYC Zoning code. Current zoning laws, if applied to FHG, would allow multi-family houses (R3-2) on virtually every Gardens property. Conversion to rental and mixed use properties would be possible. Houses could also occupy a greater percentage of their lots.
- Without Dec #3, businesses could be established on blocks and lots as allowed by NYC Zoning, including retail stores and also possibly “clean” manufacturing on larger lots.
Read the full text of both Dec #3 and the concurrent deeding of Sage Foundation property from 1923 on the FHGC website: Declaration 3 and Property Deeding
The Board understands that there is some confusion and disinformation about the renewal process and documents. The 2030 Dec #3 renewal language is identical to the language when the document was renewed on all four previous occasions (1950, 1970, 1990, 2010); the archaic language and all. The Board would never transfer any rights of the FHGC to the WSTC to support stadium events as some rumors circulating have suggested. Here are links to the current 2030 renewal filing and the 2010 renewal so you can compare the language. If you should have questions or concerns, please reach out to obtain facts rather than listening to speculation.
We look forward to continuing progress on the renewal of Dec #3.
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With all the extreme heat and dry weather, we sought expert advice from our arborist Almstead about how to better care for the grass in our parks. We thought many of you could benefit from the advice as well!
First, in shady parks and lawns during the height of summer, Almstead recommends watering twice per week for 45 minutes before 10 a.m. Less frequent but deeper watering promotes the development of stronger, deeper root systems and reduces the risk of fungal disease as the turf has a chance to dry out between waterings.
Second, while mowing short (2½ to 3 inches) is fine in the spring, Almstead recommends raising the mower deck to 3½ inches in the peak of summer to help with water retention and reduce stress on the turf. Grass growth typically slows this time of year. Mowing too short can actually stress the turf by allowing too much sunlight to penetrate down to the soil, which accelerates moisture loss, and reduces the grass’ photosynthetic capacity.
We hope this advice proves helpful!
| Quarterly Financial Update | |
FHGC’s third fiscal quarter ended on June 30th. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, we are tracking to surpass our revenue budget and have lower expenses than planned. Any remaining funds will be used towards our FY’27 insurance premiums which are due October 1st.
- In June 2026, FHGC received a $150,000 legal settlement for the litigation against the NYPD and NYC, bringing overall revenue for the year to $2.54MM (103% of budget).
- Operating expenses are on track at $1.6MM (75% of annual budget). Insurance premiums and snow removal are over budget, while professional fees are below budget.
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Only $31,000 of the capital improvement budget (13% total) was spent through June. While sidewalks, landscape and sewer survey investments are expected to be made by the end of the fiscal year, no new equipment will be purchased ($32,00 was budgeted).
| 2027 Board Nomination Deadline | |
The FHGC 2027 Nominating Committee has convened and is seeking property owners to interview for board positions starting in January. You may self-nominate or nominate another eligible community member to be considered.
Candidates first complete a questionnaire to identify interests and talents and then interview with the Nominating Committee. Telephone the FHGC Office at 718-268-2420 or email FHGCNominate@aol.com to request an application or for more information. There are nine openings this year (1 to 3 year terms).
Serving on the FHGC Board is a wonderful opportunity to give back to this historic community while meeting new neighbors through volunteering. The nominations deadline is September 1, 2026
| How the Women of Forest Hills Built a Community (Video Presentation) | |
The Forest Hills Gardens Foundation is sharing part 1 of a historical video series capturing the foundational years of our community through anecdotes and records from the Women’s Club of Forest Hills and the Forest Hills Bulletins spanning 1915 to 1924.
Step back in time to the early 1910s, when Forest Hills was a burgeoning village evolving from farmland into a bustling modern suburb. This chapter features a unique period of grand transformation, marked by the completion of the LIRR Station, the opening of the Forest Hills Inn, and the widening of Queens Boulevard. Through rare photographs and archival accounts, this video segment sets the stage by bringing to life the vibrant atmosphere, the physical growth, and the collective excitement of a neighborhood beginning to rise from Station Square up the Terraces.
Watch the video here.
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Reminder: FHGC Parks are ‘Dog Free’
FHGC community parks are for the use of our human residents. Please refrain from bringing your dogs to the parks to play so everyone can fully enjoy them.
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FY27 Budgeting Time
FHGC Treasurer Brett Shironi, along with the Board of Directors, are preparing the proposed FY’27 budget which will arrive in your mailbox by the end of August. Please be sure to review the budget and plan to attend the annual budget meeting at the Community House on Tuesday, September 15th. If you can’t attend, please send in your budget vote via the proxy card included in the budget package.
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Fortunately, no home burglaries have been reported so far this year in the Gardens. Two cars were recently stolen. Both were Honda CRVs. Honda CRVs are especially vulnerable to theft as criminals are able to program fake electronic keys for them. The NYPD recommends that all Honda CRV owners secure their vehicles with a steering wheel club. The 112th Precinct has free steering wheel clubs available for Honda CRV owners. Contact Officer Cumbo if you need one: 718-520-9319.
In general, whenever you see suspicious behavior, be sure to call 911 first, followed by Excel Security (212-239-8086). While Excel Security is not authorized to act as law enforcement, it coordinates with the 112th Precinct, and along with our residents, serves as our eyes and ears for our neighborhood. You may also share any concerns with the FHGC Board (info@fhgc.org) so that we can alert residents of any issues as necessary.
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New York Times Features FHG Home
The New York Times recently published Uncovering a New, Though 100-Year-Old, Oasis in Queens about the extensive home and garden renovation by Kate Orff and Oded Horodniceanu. We are fortunate to have Kate, a landscape architect, serve on our Landscape Committee while Oded, a civil engineer, is the co-chair of the Upkeep Committee.
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Correction Notice
In the July 2026 newsletter, it was reported that FHGC would be resurfacing residential sidewalks for the first time in 3+ years. In fact, residential sidewalks were resurfaced during this time. We apologize for this error and any confusion it may have caused.
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Upcoming Community Events
Tuesday, September 1st: Deadline for FY'27 Board Nominations
Tuesday, September 15th: Annual Budget Meeting at Community House
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Forest Hills Gardens Communication Committee:
Susan Gregg (co-chair), Ross Peyser (co-chair),
Monika Bialokur, Bob Hofman, Karen Koffler, Steve Silberberg (photo editor)
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