Speaking truth! Speaking truth to Power! Working for a Sustainable Southeast Queens!
Idlewild Park, an ecological jewel in Southeast Queens, is the sixth largest park in Queens. One of NYC Parks Forever Wild sites, it is one of the largest expanses of salt marshes in Queens, “contains sandy grasslands, a unique dune swale, and one of the richest salt marshes in southeast Queens.” Its wetlands form a natural drainage outlet for Queens south of the Grand Central Parkway, draining out into Jamaica Bay. “Tidal creeks running through the park are the most extensive in and provide the largest volume of freshwater to the Bay.”
EQA has been a steward stepping up to the call for the preservation and restoration of the Idlewild Preserve that provides our communities with the many benefits that come from wetlands, including flood protection. Here are the actions we take to protect Idlewild:
A. Idlewild Park Preserve
Preserving and restoring the wetlands in Idlewild Park Preserve has been one of the main projects of EQA since 2003. This park is an approximately 324 acre natural Forever Wild site found just north of JFK Airport. Idlewild Park Preserve is the Head of the Bay and is a major source of freshwater to Jamaica Bay. Many rare species are abound in this park, including ospreys, snowy egret, fiddler crabs, and diamondback terrapins.
Idlewild, over the years, has been threatened by so-called economic development and industrialization. For example, approximately twenty years ago, to alienate 25 acres of parkland to build an air cargo logistics center, it was labeled as a “barren tract of land” ripe for development. Recently, trees have been and are being cut down because of proximity to JFK Airport, which was built on 5000 sq. acres of wetlands in Jamaica Bay, in the Atlantic Flyway. Air and water are being polluted by the aviation industry. The peace and quiet of surrounding communities are almost nonexistent because of airplane noise.
C. Idlewild Environmental Science Center
In tandem with the preservation and restoration of wetlands in Idlewild, Eastern Queens Alliance has worked tirelessly to establish the Idlewild Park Salt Marsh Environmental Science Learning Center. The center is now complete. It officially opened in April 2022. Here environmental education, as well as environmental, cultural, stewardship, and recreational activities, are offered to families and children in our communities and beyond.
The new award-winning state-of-the-art nature center makes it possible for EQA to provide a full-blown menu of exciting field trips, as well as hands-on environmental science learning workshops and activities, and other offerings, many of which integrate the arts and other fields with nature and ecology.
To learn more about EQA’s ongoing environmental education programs, visit our “Environmental Science Center” pages. You may also contact us to learn more about our current menu of activities, workshops, and community services.
D. Idlewild Trails
Through a contract with an international landscape architectural firm, an award-winning master concept plan and schematic design was completed. The concept design details our vision for a restored Idlewild replete with trails, walkways, boardwalks, blinds, and open classroom areas which increases opportunities for environmental education, recreation, and collaboration with research teams in wetland management and restoration.
At the moment, a subset of the master plan calling for aquatic restoration, trails, and an open classroom is under design development in collaboration with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation NRG Division. The funding for this trail restoration project comes through NYS DEC and capital funds in NYC Parks allocated by the Queens Borough President. Learn more information and get a better view of our master plan here.
E. Volunteer Opportunities
EQA seeks volunteers who share our vision to accomplish our goals. Generating a sustained spirit of community volunteerism and support is one of our top agendas, and we know that community education and involvement are essential. So, we are inviting you to be a part of the Idlewild Park solution to join our action of preserving and restoring the jewel nature has given us.
F. Funding Needs
EQA is actively seeking funding to be able to accomplish its environmental education and sustainability objectives. Over the years, it has been awarded small grants from the Kaplan Fund, NYS DEC, the NYC Environmental Fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Con Edison, legislative grants, and HEP. We also receive funds from NYCT and the New York Foundation. In addition, we receive discretionary funding from our council members.
Idlewild Park, an ecological jewel in Southeast Queens, is the sixth largest park in Queens. One of NYC Parks Forever Wild sites, it is one of the largest expanses of salt marshes in Queens, “contains sandy grasslands, a unique dune swale, and one of the richest salt marshes in southeast Queens.” Its wetlands form a natural drainage outlet for Queens south of the Grand Central Parkway, draining out into Jamaica Bay. “Tidal creeks running through the park are the most extensive in and provide the largest volume of freshwater to the Bay.”
EQA has been a steward stepping up to the call for the preservation and restoration of the Idlewild Preserve that provides our communities with the many benefits that come from wetlands, including flood protection. Here are the actions we take to protect Idlewild:
A. Idlewild Park Preserve
Preserving and restoring the wetlands in Idlewild Park Preserve has been one of the main projects of EQA since 2003. This park is an approximately 324 acre natural Forever Wild site found just north of JFK Airport. Idlewild Park Preserve is the Head of the Bay and is a major source of freshwater to Jamaica Bay. Many rare species are abound in this park, including ospreys, snowy egret, fiddler crabs, and diamondback terrapins.
Idlewild, over the years, has been threatened by so-called economic development and industrialization. For example, approximately twenty years ago, to alienate 25 acres of parkland to build an air cargo logistics center, it was labeled as a “barren tract of land” ripe for development. Recently, trees have been and are being cut down because of proximity to JFK Airport, which was built on 5000 sq. acres of wetlands in Jamaica Bay, in the Atlantic Flyway. Air and water are being polluted by the aviation industry. The peace and quiet of surrounding communities are almost nonexistent because of airplane noise.
C. Idlewild Environmental Science Center
In tandem with the preservation and restoration of wetlands in Idlewild, Eastern Queens Alliance has worked tirelessly to establish the Idlewild Park Salt Marsh Environmental Science Learning Center. The center is now complete and will officially open in early 2022. Here environmental education, as well as cultural, stewardship, and recreational activities, will be offered to families and children in our community.
EQA can’t wait for the opening because it will let us provide a full-blown menu of exciting field trips, recreational activities, hands-on workshops, and other exciting offerings from a state-of-the-art nature center.
To learn more about EQA’s ongoing environmental education programs, visit our Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center Project page. You may also contact us to learn more about our community services.
D. Idlewild Trails
Through a contract with an international landscape architectural firm, an award-winning master concept plan and schematic design was completed. The concept design details our vision for a restored Idlewild replete with trails, walkways, boardwalks, blinds, and open classroom areas which increases opportunities for environmental education, recreation, and collaboration with research teams in wetland management and restoration.
At the moment, a subset of the master plan calling for aquatic restoration, trails, and an open classroom is under design development in collaboration with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation NRG Division. The funding for this trail restoration project comes through NYS DEC and capital funds in NYC Parks allocated by the Queens Borough President. Learn more information and get a better view of our master plan here.
E. Volunteer Opportunities
EQA seeks volunteers who share our vision to accomplish our goals. Generating a sustained spirit of community volunteerism and support is one of our top agendas, and we know that community education and involvement are essential. So, we are inviting you to be a part of the Idlewild Park solution to join our action of preserving and restoring the jewel nature has given us.
F. Funding Needs
EQA is actively seeking funding to be able to accomplish its environmental education and sustainability objectives. Over the years, it has been awarded small grants from the Kaplan Fund, NYS DEC, the NYC Environmental Fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Con Edison, legislative grants, and HEP. We also receive funds from NYCT and the New York Foundation. In addition, we receive discretionary funding from our council members.
EQA does community outreach in Southeast Queens, NY, through community cafes, roundtables, public and community-wide meetings, and the Sustainable Southeast Queens newsletter in a bid to identify and tackle issues that heavily affect our people. We regularly explore and identify viable approaches and solutions to common problems and concerns that cut across neighborhood boundaries, affecting many of us in Southeast Queens. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive. We strive to be collaborative with those in a position to make decisions that impact us.
The six broad Areas of Emphasis identified and on which we focus are:
Our yearly program is consistent with our Areas of Emphasis. It’s important to note these areas were very much in evidence in a white paper entitled “A Comprehensive Plan—“Maximizing Quality of Life in Southeast Queens” rolled out in 2005 after a series of intense meetings with a true cross-section of community leaders and interested residents. While the focus may shift based on analysis of current situations, this document is still relevant and is the guide-star of our areas of emphasis, annual Alliance activities, events, and projects.
Current EQA Working Groups are:
All interested persons are welcome to become active members of our working groups.
Through cafes, roundtables, public and community-wide meetings and forums, virtual and in person, and the Sustainable Southeast Queens newsletter, the EQA actively engages the community to identify and tackle the issues that heavily affect our neighborhoods. We regularly explore and identify viable approaches and solutions to common problems and concerns that cut across neighborhood boundaries in Southeast Queens.
As a result, we have identified six Areas of Emphasis that we address through our various EQA initiatives. Click each area listed below to learn more.
Contact us to learn more about what we offer to our community.
1. Community Development
To maintain, protect, enhance and improve the quality and character of our communities by improving the condition, appearance, and maintenance of our neighborhoods, as well as increasing community awareness and advocacy for inclusion and involvement in the planning and provision of community services, as well as the enforcement of governmental ordinances, regulations, codes designed to protect the quality of life in our communities.
2. Economic Viability
To increase the capacity of our communities to generate the necessary employment and income levels needed to maintain, improve and grow our communities by encouraging business investment and skills training to create employment opportunities for residents; to foster relationships with various business owners and entrepreneurs to help achieve this goal; ensuring that our communities have the political, social, economic, and physical tools positioned in the right places to revitalize our communities, rehabilitate affordable housing, attract investments, build wealth, encourage entrepreneurship, and create jobs.
3. Health & Environment
To promote a safe, clean, healthy environment in Southeast Queens through raising community awareness and understanding about environmental harms and risks and impacts on community health, and promoting environmental education and awareness, including the importance of balanced, sustainable communities. To advocate for environmental monitoring and assessment, environmental protection, the enforcement of environmental justice policies, and a well-designed healthcare infrastructure that truly meets the needs of all Southeast Queens communities.
4. Parks, Open Space, and Green Infrastructure
To educate children and adults about and advocate for the development, preservation, and maintenance of our parks, open spaces, and green infrastructure. To develop, enhance and increase public awareness, usage, and stewardship for our parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. To continue our preservation and stewardship initiatives in Idlewild Park Preserve and other ecologically sensitive natural resources by raising community awareness about the importance of and need for their preservation and enhancement. To foster and advocate for the development of robust recreational and community programs to meet the needs of our communities.
5. Education
To ensure that education in our schools is provided through a multicultural lens emphasizing the historical perspectives, contributions, and cultures of all people. To advocate for the development and ongoing enrichment of educational, recreational, environmental, multicultural, leadership, and vocational programs offered by public and private entities to support our youth and adult learners; To raise community awareness about the programs offered in our schools.
6. Safety
To ensure that our communities are informed of general safety issues identified by the Alliance as current critical safety concerns. To better relationships between the community and the NYPD through various proven strategies, including police reforms to effectuate a decrease in criminal activity across our communities and an increase in home and neighborhood safety. To ensure the necessary training needed for effective emergency management during times of disaster, both natural and manmade.
Phone and Fax: (347) 824-2301
Email: info@easternqueensalliance.org
Service Area: Southeast Queens,
New York, and Surrounding Areas
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