The QueensWay

We’re building a park and greenway that’s fit for Queens. By teaming up with the community, we can transform a forgotten rail line into a game-changing green space that will connect neighborhoods, drive economic growth, boost health, and help tackle today’s most pressing climate challenges.

Abandoned Track to Community Treasure

For nearly 60 years, a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned railway has sat idle in Queens. The former LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch (LIRR) was completed in the 1910s and 1920s, and once ferried people from Rego Park south through Ozone Park and across Jamaica Bay to the Rockaways. But after several track fires in the mid-1900s and dwindling ridership, the LIRR ceased operations in June 1962. Over the years, efforts to revive the line as a rail route have been deemed infeasible due to high costs, environmental impacts, and disruption to local communities—until now.

We’re working with the local community to transform this forgotten corridor into the QueensWay: a vibrant, 47-acre greenway connecting communities, boosting local businesses, and giving New Yorkers a safer, greener way to move. Imagine biking to school without dodging traffic, jogging through a tree-lined trail instead of along busy streets, or simply having more park space to gather, play, and breathe. The QueensWay will deliver all that and more, linking Rego Park, Forest Hills, Richmond Hill, Glendale, Woodhaven, and Ozone Park with a dedicated pedestrian and bike path. This greenway makes commuting easier—and greener—by providing zero-carbon routes, connecting to seven subway lines, a commuter rail station, and the Woodhaven bus rapid transit line. And with 28 schools nearby, it will also give students a safer way to get to class, one that’s off busy streets and into nature.

More park space for families. Safer, greener routes for walking and biking. A solution for heat and flooding. The community has been all in for 20 years—now, we can make it a reality.

This project isn’t just about a trail; it’s about transforming how people experience their neighborhoods. With our partners at Friends of the QueensWay, New York State, New York City, and other local community organizations, we’re making sure Queens gets the green space and connectivity it deserves. The threat of climate change means we need to tackle transportation emissions by supporting zero-carbon walking and biking transportation options. The QueensWay will allow people to connect to seven subway lines, a commuter rail station, and the Woodhaven bus rapid transit line. And it will be an important north-south link in the greenway network in Queens, connecting currently separated bike and pedestrian corridors throughout the city.

You can help support the QueensWay by signing our petition.

Sign the Petition

The Plan

Big plans ahead for the QueensWay! With the power of community, strong partnerships with local and state governments, and support from local organizations, we’re turning this vision into reality. Need more? Download the QueensWay brochure.

Health & Safety

The QueensWay is built with health, safety, and accessibility at its core, meeting the needs of residents and park users alike. This 3.5-mile greenway will feature ramped entries, comfort stations, and rest areas, ensuring it’s welcoming for people of all abilities. Thoughtful lighting will illuminate pathways and activity spaces for safety while minimizing light pollution for nearby neighbors. Activity zones will be strategically placed away from homes, offering privacy and peace for families, while creating a safe, inclusive environment for everyone.

By transforming a neglected corridor into a year-round recreational space, the QueensWay will support community health and carbon-free transportation. Walking, biking, and other activities will provide safe ways to stay active, with programming for youth expanding through partnerships with schools and local organizations. Seasonal plantings will enhance the trail’s beauty, and with fewer cars on the road, air quality will improve for surrounding neighborhoods. Research shows people living near parks are more active, and the QueensWay will help build healthier, safer, and more connected communities for all.
Neighborhood Connections

The QueensWay will be a vital connector, linking six communities to some of Queens’ most cherished destinations. This greenway is anchored by Forest Park, extending south toward the Jamaica Bay Greenway and Gateway National Recreation Area, and north to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Along the way, it intersects with key commercial corridors and provides access to 28 schools within a 10-minute walk.

This 47-acre space will be a celebration of the vibrant, diverse neighborhoods of Central and Southern Queens, some of the most culturally rich areas in the world. For residents and visitors alike, it’s a gateway to explore the unique character and communities of the borough, offering a space for connection, exploration, and discovery.
Education & Ecology

Green and nature-rich, this rail trail will be a vibrant, interactive learning landscape and a model for climate-smart infrastructure. Native plants and vegetation will create an arboretum-like atmosphere, with outdoor classrooms and interpretive signage that engage students, residents, and visitors in hands-on environmental education. These spaces, located near schools, will bring learning to life in a fun, accessible way.

Climate-smart features, including rain gardens, will capture stormwater runoff, reducing flooding in nearby homes, backyards, and community spaces. This innovative design not only demonstrates sustainable practices but also helps meet the city’s stormwater management goals, building a healthier, more resilient Queens for generations to come.
Culture & Economic Development

The QueensWay will be a cultural greenway like no other, celebrating the rich traditions and diversity of Queens while creating fresh opportunities for community and local businesses. This dynamic space will connect visitors to the borough’s iconic restaurants and small businesses, boosting economic activity across neighborhoods. Gathering spaces like the Elevated Zone and Forest Park Grove will become lively destinations for performances, public art, and cultural events.

By restoring and highlighting the industrial structures of the old rail line, the QueensWay will honor its history while transforming it into a modern community hub. With an estimated one million annual visitors, each spending between $7–$21 per trip, the QueensWay will deliver meaningful economic and cultural benefits for Queens and beyond.
Where We Stand Today

You can help support the QueensWay by signing our petition today.

Sign the Petition

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $117 million to New York City Parks and Trust for Public Land for the next phase of the QueensWay—the Forest Park Pass. This 0.7-mile expansion will create 9 acres of vibrant greenspace, connecting the Met Hub to Forest Park and providing residents with car-free access to nature, local shopping, and beloved community spaces like Victory Field. With added features like bleachers for Little League fields, this phase will enhance both recreation and connectivity for Queens.

In 2022, the City of New York invested $35 million for the first section of the QueensWay, the Metropolitan Hub (Met Hub). This 0.3-mile segment will transform into a 5-acre greenway with improved access to recreation, schools, and businesses, benefiting the community with safer, more accessible spaces.

The journey began in 2014 with the QueensWay Plan, fueled by grants from New York State Parks and the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council, marking the first steps toward revitalizing this historic corridor into a green oasis for all.

Watch

The QueensWay

Get to know our partners at Friends of the QueensWay

In 2011, local Queens residents united to advocate for transforming this abandoned rail line into a public park, leading to the creation of Friends of the QueensWay (FQW). This community-driven organization has been supported by hundreds through petitions, fundraisers, cleanups, and events, all working toward a shared vision of a greener, more connected Queens.

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Before & After

Community Voices

Danzas Multiculturales entertain the crowd at the community wellness festival held Saturday at at Kiwanis Methow Park, in Wenatchee.

Events

Find an Event Near You

Check out upcoming events happening right here in Queens! From guided tours to clean up days, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and ways to help shape the future of our shared green spaces.

QueensWay Bird Tour

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