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The Brian Lehrer Show / May 20, 2008 / It’s My Park: Travers Park

It’s My Park: Travers Park

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

As part of our series on parks around the five boroughs, Len Maniace, chairman of Friends of Travers Park in Jackson Heights, talks about his park.


Comments

  • [1] Ralph W from Jackson Heights, NY May 20, 2008 - 01:20AM

    The city has taken upon itself to name any area with a few trees and a playground a Park, I have been living in Jackson Heights for over fifth teen years and their is not one single self respecting area that can call itself a Park in Jackson Heights, their aren't any parks in this neighborhood.

    And on another note I don't understand this campaigns that has been going on, calling Jackson Heights "Little India" this neighborhood is the most diverse neighborhood not only in the city but the in the country and the overwhelming group in Jackson Heights are with out doubt Latino immigrants! If you have any doubt come see all the businesses owned by them here yourself, Indians only make up about a block and half in businesses that is all.
  • [2] Steven from Manhattan May 20, 2008 - 01:45AM

    I lived in Jackson Heights throughout the 90's on 82nd St and 34th Ave and never considered Travers Park a real park.

    #1 is correct. Jackson Heights is really diverse and I think that diversity has kept it an affordable neighborhood. A lot of lip-service is given to diversity in NYC. The really popular(hence pricer) neighborhoods have little real diversity.

    Why did I leave Jackson Heights? A diverse neighborhood is an interesting place to visit but not a great place to live.


  • [3] jtt from jackson heights May 20, 2008 - 10:21AM

    It's Travers Playground. There is no park in Jackson Heights.
  • [4] Carmen from Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 11:00AM

    I wish their was a park in this neighborhood, it really needs one, it would really be nice to stroll, sit and reflect. This is a real deficiency in this neighborhood, which has so much to offer.
  • [5] Joshua from Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 11:13AM

    Travers Park is the name of the playground, but the name should not be confused with a real park, it is really a playground. But for a playground it has a nice little farmer's market on the weekend!
  • [6] Robert from NYC May 20, 2008 - 11:42AM

    Will you be checking out Franz Siegal park in the Bronx? Brings back memories of my childhood in the '50s and my 86 year old mom's memories in the '30s (where she snuck off to the park's gazebo with her boyfriend).
  • [7] LNE from jackson heights May 20, 2008 - 11:50AM

    Travers Park, has a paved area were people play stick ball, and other ball activities, has a playground, and a handball court. Is this a park?

    And I agree with #1 Jackson Heights is extremly diverse to call it (Little India), it is a disservice to most people who are not Indian. Doesn't a neighborhood has to be comprised of a majority or at least a strong percentage of any ethnicity to be called Little anything?


  • [8] Larry from jackson heights May 20, 2008 - 11:58AM

    The play ground is square block. This guy is trying to make more that it is sad.
  • [9] Frank from Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 11:58AM

    As a neighbor, I think this is mis-named. It's a playground -- NOT a park. There's no greenspace in this park.
  • [10] Liam from East Elmhurst/Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 12:01PM

    Gorman Park and that park down by the BQE off 30th ave. Sheez! PLAY BALL!!!
  • [11] Jack May 20, 2008 - 12:02PM

    What about school yards? When I moved back to NYC I nostalgically visited the old schools I went to and was shocked to see how much yard space was now taken over by faculty parking or garbage storage?

    Not like a paved over piece of land should be a replacement for a park, but where do kids go when they have recess in some schools? Are they just cooped up with no chance of casual mingling?
  • [12] Eebs from Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 01:37PM

    I have to agree with most of the posters here stating that Travers is not a park but a playground. A real park services a community, young, old and visitors of the non-human nature (pets). Nevertheless, I applaud the efforts by those currently working to improve the playground for the young.
  • [13] Len Maniace from Jackson Heights May 20, 2008 - 01:44PM

    At Friends of Travers Park, we're all about getting more green space for Jackson Heights and improving what we have. Believe me, we have kids and are not satisfied with the lack of park space here

    Our shortage of park space is probably worse than you think. Council District 25, which contains Jackson Heights, ranks 50 out of 51 council districts in NYC for park space, according to New Yorkers for Parks.

    Actually, last place isn't so bad off. District 4 on Manhattan' East Side has a pretty good park just over the district boundary of Fifth Avenue. It's called Central Park.

    We are working on developing a Green Agenda for Jackson Heights, together with the Queens Community House, a non-profit group that works with recent immigrants. A key goal is to find more green space. That's not an easy thing in Jackson Heights or New York City in general.

    We hope those or you who are dissatified with the status quo will join us. You can contact us through www.jhbg.org. Thank you.


This thread is closed.


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