In this case, good news travels fast.
Jane’s Walk – an annual event during which several dozen volunteers lead free tours all around New York City – runs from Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4.
With such themes as architecture, culture, demographics, food, history, and nature, the excursions last one to two hours. This column provides information on the 28 Queens walks. Click on the highlighted links below for more details and please notice that some events repeat, while others are sold out but have waiting lists. Plus, in many cases, the meeting locations are provided via email upon registration.
May 2
On The Revolutionary War Trail, 11 am. Donna Hrusovsky and Michael Brady uncover the hidden history of Middleburgh, which then became Newtown and is now Elmhurst. The itinerary includes churches and cemeteries that pre-date the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple, and the inspiration for a famous poem about jolly old St. Nicholas.
Queen Anne Architecture in Richmond Hill, 11 am. William Gati from Architecture Studio/AIA leads an exploration of the Queen Anne architecture in Richmond Hill’s historic district. Participants check out intricate facades, stained glass, and ornate details of homes nestled among tree-lined streets, showcasing a bygone era’s craftsmanship. Then, it’s on to Forest Park, where thoughtful urban planning created a natural oasis for city dwellers.
Jazz Greats in Flushing, 1 pm. Francie and Eileen Scanlon lead a visit to 172-year-old Flushing Cemetery, where Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Sr., Hazel Scott, and Johnny Hodges are at rest.
34th Ave Jackson Heights History, 2 pm. Daisy Gonzalez and NYC Department of Transportation Deputy Director Jessica Cronstein lead this exploration of the 34th Ave Open Street, a 1.3-mile, car-free corridor in Jackson Heights. Learn about the advocacy efforts, stewardship, and history behind this community project.
Flushing Bay & Flushing Creek, 3 pm. Cody Herrmann and Rebecca Pryor walk and talk about piers, parks, casinos, waterways, and history in Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek.
May 3
LIC Skyscrapers, 9 am. Fanny Chang takes registrants to the skyscrapers in Long Island City. Expect to learn about 27-38 Jackson Ave., 29-59 Northern Blvd., One Court Sq., 43-20 24th St., and 42-38 13th St.
What’s Growing in the Big Apples’s Fruit Basket, 9 am. Jordan Engel takes the group through Astoria’s Ditmars section and Astoria Park, exploring apple, black cherry, chokecherry, fig, and juneberry trees.
Queen Anne Architecture in Richmond Hill, 11 am. William Gati from Architecture Studio/AIA leads an exploration of the Queen Anne architecture in Richmond Hill’s historic district. Participants check out intricate facades, stained glass, and ornate details of homes nestled among tree-lined streets, showcasing a bygone era’s craftsmanship. Then, it’s on to Forest Park, where thoughtful urban planning created a natural oasis for city dwellers.
Sunnyside Bliss, 11 am. Fanny Chang leads an exploration of Sunnyside. Expect to check out the old Sunnyside Theater, which is about to be torn down, and the Sunnyside boxing ring that’s now a Wendy’s, Art Deco buildings, the Phipps Garden Apartments, Bliss Plaza, and Sunnyside Gardens.
Connecting the Borough: QueensLink, 11 am. QueensLink Communications Director Noelle Hunter walks and talks about a grassroots project to reuse land running through central and south Queens that’s been underutilized for more than 60 years. The goal is to create subway stations and 33 acres of parkland and establish the borough’s first north-south connection.
Jackson Heights: Landmarks, Vendors and Identity, 11 am. New York University’s Daniela Benitez leads a jaunt in the landmarked district within Jackson Heights before heading to Roosevelt Avenue and Junction Boulevard. Historic houses, Latin American culture, crowded sidewalks, and street vendors are on the agenda.
On The Revolutionary War Trail 11 am. Donna Hrusovsky and Michael Brady uncover the hidden history of Middleburgh, which then became Newtown and is now Elmhurst. The itinerary includes churches and cemeteries that pre-date the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple, and the inspiration for a famous poem about jolly old St. Nicholas.
Hidden Bel-Gems of the 1964-65 World’s Fair, 11 am. Katie Anderson visits the Garden of Meditation, the Westinghouse time capsules, and lesser known remnants of the 1964-65 World Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She also touches on the historical significance of sites whose pavilions were torn down.
Astoria: Ethnic History Through Food, 1 pm. Eirene Archolekas from Atelier Eirene leads an expedition that features stops at famous eateries. Expect Hookah, Phoenician rabbit stew, authentic souvlaki, and top-notch hummus.
Hidden Bel-Gems of the 1964-65 World’s Fair, 1 pm. Katie Anderson visits the Garden of Meditation, the Westinghouse time capsules, and lesser known remnants of the 1964-65 World Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She also touches on the historical significance of sites whose pavilions were torn down.
Hidden Bel-Gems of the 1964-65 World’s Fair, 3 pm. Katie Anderson visits the Garden of Meditation, the Westinghouse time capsules, and lesser known remnants of the 1964-65 World Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She also touches on the historical significance of sites whose pavilions were torn down.
The Hill: As Far Out As You Can Get in NYC, 3 pm. Douglaston/Little Neck Historical Society Board Members Kevin Wolfe and Victor Dadras take a group through historic Douglaston Hill. Expect to see beautiful old trees and historic monuments, including a Native American burial site.
May 4
On The Revolutionary War Trail, 11 am. Donna Hrusovsky and Michael Brady uncover the hidden history of Middleburgh, which then became Newtown and is now Elmhurst. The itinerary includes churches and cemeteries that pre-date the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple, and the inspiration for a famous poem about jolly old St. Nicholas.
Arts and Culture in Sunnyside, 11 am. Eric Narburgh leads this exploration of Sunnyside’s Art Deco buildings, the historically landmarked Sunnyside Gardens district, Thalia Spanish Theater (NYC’s first and only bilingual Hispanic theater), Bliss Theater (a rare surviving example of an Egyptian Revival movie palace), and Sunnyside Arch. It’s sold out, but the waitlist is open.
Queen Anne Architecture in Richmond Hill, 11 am. William Gati from Architecture Studio/AIA leads an exploration of the Queen Anne architecture in Richmond Hill’s historic district. Participants check out intricate facades, stained glass, and ornate details of homes nestled among tree-lined streets, showcasing a bygone era’s craftsmanship. Then, it’s on to Forest Park, where thoughtful urban planning created a natural oasis for city dwellers.
Jackson Heights: Landmarks, Vendors and Identity, 11 am. New York University’s Daniela Benitez leads this excursion through the landmarked district in Jackson Heights before heading to Roosevelt Avenue and Junction Boulevard. Historic houses, Latin American culture, crowded sidewalks, and street vendors are on the agenda.
A Tour of Long Island City, New York’s Other City, noon. Alan Arichavala and Greater Astoria Historical Society President Bob Singleton voyage through Long Island CIty, noting that the area has gone through a complete transformation over the past generation.
Long Island City Waterfront: Public Land and Raging Tides, 1 pm. Christina Chaise and Jenny Dubnau from the Western Queens Community Land Trust explore Long Island City’s waterfront with extra attention to the area’s industrial past, public waterfront land, environmental challenges, and community visions for future development. It’s sold out, but the waitlist is open.
The Lizards of Liberty Park, 1 pm. Isa Dorvillier visits the lizards in Liberty Park. Since their introduction to Long Island in the 1960s and subsequent spread across the region, Italian Wall Lizards have made a name for themselves as unlikely New Yorkers. They have adapted to colder climates and become a source of fascination for their human neighbors.
The Way of Water: How Forgotten Waterways Developed South Queens, 1 pm. Takisha Edwards leads an excursion in Baisley Pond Park with stops to explore former mouths of creeks. One stop looks at the old lake outflow into another creek that ran all the way to Jamaica Bay. Other stops are along major thoroughfares like Rockaway Boulevard, the Sutphin Playground Mastodon, and Mother Carter Garden.
What’s Growing in the Big Apple’s Fruit Basket, 3 pm. Jordan Engel takes the group through Astoria’s Ditmars section and Astoria Park, exploring apple, black cherry, chokecherry, fig, and juneberry trees.
The Way of Water: How Forgotten Waterways Developed South Queens, 3 pm. Takisha Edwards leads an excursion in Baisley Pond Park with stops to explore former mouths of creeks. One stop looks at the old lake outflow into another creek that ran all the way to Jamaica Bay. Other stops are along major thoroughfares like Rockaway Boulevard, the Sutphin Playground Mastodon, and Mother Carter Garden.
Sunset Walk Through Industrial Western Queens, 6 pm. Connie Murray explains architecture, public housing, and real estate development in Western Queens from Queensbridge Park to Gantry Plaza State Park with a visit to a local brewery. This walk is sold out and the waitlist is full.
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urban activist who led the successful opposition to plans for an expressway in Greenwich Village. The author of the 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities was also the inspiration for this multi-pronged activity whose main organizer is The Municipal Art Society of New York. Taking place over the first weekend in May to coincide with Jane’s birthday on May 4, this tradition began with a few programs in 2007 before spreading to more than 200 cities around the world.
