The Jackson Heights Beautification Group (JHBG) opposes legislation to alienate parkland in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
A bill that would allow Mets owner, Steve Cohen, to build a casino in the parking lot of Citifield is before the NYS Assembly. Though the parking lot has been paved over for decades, its 50 acres are official New York City parkland. If the legislation were to pass, “alienating” or decertifying its status as parkland, it would never again be available as parkland to future generations.
The borough of Queens already suffers from a shortage of parkland, we rank fourth out of the five boroughs. Removing park status from this land and allowing its development would be a terrible mistake, forever depriving residents of something in too short a supply—a place for recreation and to enjoy nature.
We wish Steve Cohen and the Mets well in their baseball endeavors, but considering the above the Jackson Heights Beautification Group’s Board of Directors approved the following resolution.
The JHBG strongly opposes the alienation of parkland, particularly in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which for too long has been the destination for the endless series of sports and business proposals that have no place in a public park.
These developments would never be acceptable in Central Park, Prospect Park, or Van Cortlandt Park, but are deemed acceptable for Queens’ premier park.
It is time to say no to this loss of our public park space. We agree with the Queens Civic Congress, the Flushing Bay Guardians and other organizations and stand opposed to the bill introduced in the New York State Assembly as A5688.
It is imperative that you share your opinion on the alienation of Queens parkland with our elected officials:
NYS Senator Jessica Ramos ramos@ntsenate.gov 718 205 3881
City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, skrishnan@nyc.gov and 718 809 6373
City Councilmember Francisco Moya fmoya@council.nyc.gov and 718 651 1917
NYS Assemblyperson Catalina Cruz ccruz@nyassembly.gov 718 458 5367
NYS Assemblyperson Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas gonzalezroj@nyassembly.com and 718 457 0384
NYS Assemblyperson Jeffrion Aubry AubryJ@nyassembly.gov 718-457-3615