MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
At the November 13 Community Board 5 meeting, local residents and board members discussed key issues affecting the area. These included recent improvements like the resurfacing of Wyckoff Avenue and the development of a bike lane, as well as ongoing concerns about illegal car washes in Ridgewood. Highland Park residents voiced frustration over safety issues and conflicts caused by a new disc golf course. The meeting also included an update on a city initiative to shut down illegal smoke shops and encouraged community cooperation in addressing these concerns.
Daniel Heredia, a first-year board member, took a moment to reflect on the progress the board has made during his tenure and to raise concerns about ongoing issues in his district. Heredia, who also attends various other board meetings across the city, expressed pride in the work the board has accomplished, particularly in his home neighborhood of Ridgewood.
He highlighted the recent resurfacing of Wyckoff Avenue, which had long been a source of frustration for residents, particularly along the nine-block stretch of Summerfield Street. Heredia credited the board’s efforts and Eric Butkiewicz for his instrumental role in pushing the project forward.
In addition to the improvements on Wyckoff Avenue, Heredia also acknowledged progress on the bike lane along Cypress Avenue, another important project for the area. However, he pointed out that more work remains to be done, especially when it comes to installing physical barriers to better protect cyclists using the lane. He also raised concerns about illegal car washes operating on local streets, which have contributed to increased traffic and disruption in the neighborhood. Heredia urged the board to continue addressing these issues in order to improve quality of life for local residents.
“We’re working on getting those illegal Car Wash stops off of that street, which is making a ton of traffic and a ton of issues for our community,” Heredia said.
Closing his remarks, Heredia expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board and his optimism working with the boarabout tackling future challenges.
Tammy Green, a representative from the Upper Highland Park Association, raised concerns regarding the newly implemented disc golf program at Highland Park. Green explained that while she had initially supported the introduction of the program, several months of its operation had brought to light significant public safety and quality of life issues that needed addressing. She shared that attempts to resolve these problems through community meetings with the Disc Golf Association had been unsuccessful, with the issue largely ignored until recently.
Green emphasized that the situation had escalated to the point where District 37 Council members became involved to help facilitate a resolution. One of the most troubling developments, she said, was the harassment of longtime parkgoers and local homeowners by some members of the Disc Golf Association. She specifically pointed to discriminatory comments made towards park regulars, many of whom are of Central and South American descent. Green made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated, especially from an organization or corporate entity using public spaces like Highland Park.
In addition to the harassment, Green highlighted safety concerns, particularly incidents involving flying discs that had come dangerously close to park goers. She noted that members of the community would be sharing their experiences during the meeting, underscoring the real dangers posed by the program. Green called on the board to address the issue in a professional and progressive manner, stressing the importance of finding a solution that balances the interests of all park users.
“We want to raise this issue before the Queens community board so that we can address it professionally, intellectually, and progressively,” Green said. She thanked the board for hearing the community’s concerns and expressed hope for a positive resolution.
Steve Langston, a resident of the Highland Park area, voiced his concerns about the disc golf program that has recently been implemented in the park. Langston, who has lived in the area for nine years, explained that one of the main reasons he bought his home was because of the park’s natural beauty, which he had always enjoyed as a peaceful place to relax with family and friends.
He described the discs used in the sport as “very hard plastic projectiles” that are designed to travel great distances at high velocities—up to 200 feet. With multiple disc golf holes spread throughout the area, Langston said the game takes up large portions of the park, which had previously been a tranquil space for people to enjoy nature.
Langston also expressed concerns about safety, noting the potential danger posed by flying discs. However, he emphasized that his main issue was the conflict of interests between disc golfers and other park users. He explained that disc golfers, who are focused on their game, often view parkgoers as obstacles in their way. Meanwhile, families and other visitors, including Langston and his own family, simply want to enjoy the park in peace.
While he acknowledged that the disc golfers themselves are polite and passionate about their sport, Langston argued that the park would be a better place if the two groups could be separated. He suggested that disc golf could be relocated to a different area, much like how baseball fields are designated for sports, allowing both disc golfers and parkgoers to coexist without interfering with one another. Langston concluded by asking the board to consider the concerns of local residents and help address the ongoing conflict in the park.
Jasmine Chino, a mother and teacher from the Highland Park area, shared her concerns about the impact of the newly introduced disc golf course on the local community. Chino explained that she had raised her daughter in the area, and they spent many cherished moments together in the park, enjoying picnics and the natural beauty of the space. She described the park as a “special place” for her daughter, particularly the quiet areas like the “troll bridge,” a spot loved by local children.
Chino emphasized that before the introduction of the disc golf course, the park was a peaceful haven for families, children, and dog owners. Highland Park offers a variety of recreational facilities, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts, but Chino noted that the disc golf course occupies a unique, beautiful green space that had previously been a quiet refuge.
However, she explained that since the disc golf course was introduced, the atmosphere in that part of the park has changed. The presence of flying discs has made it uncomfortable for parkgoers who want to relax or enjoy the area. Chino cited incidents where people have been asked to move, and in some cases, individuals have even been hit by flying discs. She expressed frustration that such a large portion of the park is now taken up by the course.
Later at the meeting, Dermot Smyth introduced himself to the community as a candidate for City Council in the upcoming election, vying for the seat currently held by Bob Holden, who is term-limited. Smyth, a 30-year resident of the district, shared his background, noting that he had spent 10 years as a middle school teacher in District 30 and, for the past 15 years, worked with the United Federation of Teachers. In his role with the union, Smyth became well-known as a political strategist and coordinator, working on campaigns across the city.
Smyth emphasized that he hoped to bring his experience, skills, and relationships to the City Council, advocating for the district and standing up against any agendas that could negatively impact the community. He expressed his enthusiasm for engaging with local residents, saying he looked forward to getting to know them better.
Kevin Morris, the Queensborough Director for the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, provided an update on a citywide initiative called Operation Padlock, which aims to combat illegal smoke shops. Morris explained that this program, launched in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Department, focuses on identifying and shutting down illegal smoke shops operating throughout the city.
Morris shared that, as part of the ongoing effort, 1,200 illegal smoke shop sites have already been closed across New York City, with over $80 million worth of illegal products seized. He reassured the community that these seized products will not be dumped within the city. Instead, they will be safely disposed of at a designated facility in Ohio within the next couple of weeks.
Morris encouraged residents to continue reporting any illegal smoke shops they come across, urging the public to inform his office so that the city can take swift action. He emphasized that the Mayor’s Office is committed to addressing this issue and asked for the community’s continued cooperation in keeping neighborhoods safe from the harmful effects of illegal operations.
