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Forest Hills Gardens Corporation
Monthly News & Updates
July 2026
| | | FHGC President’s Mid-year Update | |
It has been 6 months since this board took office and wanted update the community about what we have been working on. The board is now a mix of nominating committee candidates and alternate candidates, plus three members elected by the board to serve out the year to replace directors who resigned. This accomplished, smart and dedicated group of people have been able to pull together to make significant progress on important issues affecting our community. Here is a list of work that has been done:
Declaration #3 Renewal
- Started the Dec #3 Renewal process with initial filings and gathering of signatures. Used June’s three community events to gather signatures, have gotten ~60 property assents.
Administration, Process and Security
- Board governance documents were approved for the first time, focused on free flow of information to the Board and the sharing of responsibilities amongst the full Board.
- The board of directors now has official FHGC emails instead of using personal accounts, assuring the capture of communication and corporation records.
- Refreshed and renewed multiple committees that had no meetings in recent years.
- Re-established working relationships with city agencies including NYPD and elected officials. One Official helped dramatically reduce LIRR vehicles parking in Station Square which had been a years-long problem. The 112th Precinct is working with us on issues large and small with a focus on issues affecting homeowners; working together a recent “teen takeover” was thwarted.
- Revived review of operating structure for potential modernization, efficiency and clear roles and responsibilities.
- Restarted program of having an FHGC representative on site for concerts to ensure NYPD and stadium promoters are taking the steps promised to minimize impact/solve issues of residents.
Legal
- We got out of Federal case against NYC and clawed back some funds in the process. We are now a part of the process of planning stadium event security. Having police on site increases safety for stadium events.
- We have an ongoing negotiation with Tiebreaker, WSTC; some issues resolved but we will not accept an unbalanced settlement that doesn’t respect the community, so no agreement as of this moment.
- The Board hired experienced governance counsel which we use only as needed.
Upkeep
- We are almost finished setting up stable water supply (permission to use hydrants) to water community parks and new plantings
- Focused on keeping parks open for resident use.
- Will be resurfacing some residential sidewalks for the first time in 3+ years, using funds from reduced spending on legal fees.
- Continued coordination with National Grid to complete last phase of gas line upgrades.
- Major paving project completed on GWS, Summer, Seasongood, Ivy Close, Winter and Fairway Close - areas updated by National Grid last year.
Landscape
- Consolidated Tree and Landscape Committees and added new members including a world-renown subject matter expert. Enhanced tracking methods to capture outstanding tree issue.
- Took first steps towards restoring our community parks to Olmsted’s vision with small new plantings in two sections of Flagpole Green.
Communications
- Established regular and informative communications to full community on a variety of issues.
Architecture
- Instigated regular Board reviews of larger Architecture Committee applications to gain insight into movement and process times of applications and react to any issues
- Reduced processing time for applications; including processing more applications as Restorations of Originals. Increased proactive communication with homeowners for complex applications.
- Adopted a more proactive approach to seek Temporary Restraining Orders for major architectural violations
Traffic
- Reviewed current conditions and existing Traffic Studies to finds areas to improve flow; resulting in “daylighting” in several area including GWS/Slocum Crescent.
- Added parking spaces on GWT, Burns and Bow to support spaces lost during LIRR project.
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Adding 15 mph signs near P.S. 101 and Church in the Gardens school areas to support city initiative on making streets safer (in process).
- Revised commercial and residential unloading zones to better fit uses around Tennis View Apts and the WSTC.
- Converted temporary speed bumps into permanent humps on GWN and GWS. Will soon be placing temporary speed bumps in problem areas around PS 101, GWT, Burns and Slocum Crescent.
There is still so very, very much to do but we continue to make progress in multiple areas
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Community House Pool Reopens | |
On June 13, the Community House officially reopened its newly renovated pool, welcoming residents back to one of Forest Hills Gardens' most important gathering places after nearly three years of construction. For generations of families, the pool has been where children learned to swim, swim teams practiced, neighbors met, and friendships were formed. Its reopening marks the return of a facility that has played a central role in community life for nearly a century.
The project began in August 2023 when a structural problem was discovered in one wall of the nearly 100-year-old pool. As engineers and contractors assessed the facility, additional waterproofing and foundation issues were uncovered, turning what first appeared to be a repair into a complete reconstruction. The result is a bright, modern facility with updated systems, improved lighting, enhanced heating, and a completely rebuilt pool designed to serve the community for decades to come.
Leading the effort was Community House Executive Director Dave Murphy, who has spent the past 17 years at the Community House. "I feel a huge sense of pride that we were able to get this project across the finish line," Murphy said. "While there were many unforeseen challenges, this project is a lesson in perseverance and determination, and I am grateful that I had a strong support system around me to get us to where we are today." He said the highlight of the day was seeing residents return. "The best part was getting to see people smiling and excited about the improvements we have made to the facility and hearing from people about how excited they are to get back to the Community House."
The pool's reopening is certainly a welcome improvement to a beloved neighborhood facility. More importantly, it represents an investment in the connections, activities, and shared experiences that continue to bring residents together and make Forest Hills Gardens a special place to live.
| Thank FOSS for Station Square Beauty | |
The annual plantings in Station Square are undertaken each year by Friends of Station Square (FOSS), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support the preservation, improvement and beautification of Station Square and its surrounds. FOSS raises its entire operating budget through generous donations from residents and businesses; it is not affiliated with or financially supported by the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation.
FOSS would like to thank all those members of the community who participated their annual Spring raffle. They would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the FHGC maintenance crew who are keeping the plantings in the Square alive with regular watering when mother nature doesn’t supply the rain (and while their sprinkler system is incapacitated due to the work on the
LIRR). It takes a village to keep Station Square blooming!
Find out more about FOSS and/or support their efforts to beautify Station Square on their website.
| Recap of June Events in FHG | June was a busy month in the Gardens, with several annual events, all of which were held with great weather. Children’s Day kicked off the celebrations on June 6th. Flag Day followed a week later where we were joined by many of the politicians who serve our community. Lastly, a concert was held in Olivia Park on June 28th that featured the Brownstone Brass Quintet playing songs that celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary. All these events included volunteers gathering signatures for the Dec 3 renewal. | | |
2027 FHGC
Board Nominations
Every year, the FHGC asks property owners to submit suggestions for candidates for the FHGC Board. You may self-nominate or nominate another eligible community member to be considered. The process consists of filling out a questionnaire to help identify interests and talents and then meeting with the Nominating Committee for a short interview. Serving on the FHGC Board is a wonderful opportunity to give back to this historic community while meeting new neighbors through volunteering.
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 including
five three-year terms plus three one year terms and one two-year term.
The 2027 FHGC Nominating Committee: David Duff, Terry
Godlove, Soumaly King, Chris O’Malley, Kayur Patel and Andrew Radford.
Nominations deadline: September 1, 2026.
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Annual Street Closing
Wednesday, July 29th
For FHGC to maintain the private status of our streets, we are required to close them at least one day a year. This year, the streets will be closed on Wednesday, July 29th, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Residents should be respectful of the crew and volunteers who man the barricades and not insist on passage. Only official emergency vehicles are allowed through the barricades i.e., FDNY, NYPD and ambulances.
Anyone interested in working on street closing day should contact the FHGC office.
| Commemorating FHG’s Place in US History | As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, the Forest Hills Gardens Foundation has recently added related content about celebrations past to its collection. There is a new article about Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Forest Hills Gardens on July 4, 1917, which dives into the untold history of that historic Independence Day—exploring how a strategic local lobbying effort convinced him to accept our neighborhood's invitation out of more than 500 he received that year. There is also a story about a 1976 bicentennial quilt made by members of the Women’s Club of Forest Hills that depicts many of the landmarks and cherished scenes that define our neighborhood. A photo gallery features each of the quilt's panels. | | | |
Upcoming Community Events
Wednesday, July 29: FHGC Annual Street Closing, 8am - 4pm.
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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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