The Abandoned Railway Urban Hike: Forest Park & the Future QueensWay

New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com How did an abandoned railway become the centerpiece of a plan to create Queens’ own version of the High Line? Get ready to lace up your walking shoes for an urban hike through the woodlands of one of Queens’ largest parks before tracing the path of a future greenway taking shape along a train line unused for more than half a century. Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive double-header urban hike exploring two distinct green landscapes in the heart of Queens. Beginning in Forest Park, we'll trek through one of the borough's great urban forests before tracing portions of the future QueensWay along the former LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch — uncovering plans to transform the long-abandoned rail corridor into a 3.5-mile linear park and greenway along the way. Led by experts from the Natural Areas Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and Friends of the QueensWay, our nature- and infrastructure-focused experience will include: • A guided walk through the lush and secluded trails of Forest Park, with a closer look at the native plants, wildlife, and natural features found throughout this expansive urban forest • An overview of Forest Park's ongoing restoration efforts, including the intensive forest restoration and tree planting work being undertaken by the Natural Areas Conservancy and its partners at the Forest Park Trust • A walk along the proposed route of Phase 2 of the QueensWay, with a firsthand look at the existing rail infrastructure and landscape that could be incorporated into the future park • The inside story behind the QueensWay's evolution from grassroots idea to reality, including more than a decade of community advocacy and planning, the vision for connecting surrounding neighborhoods, and what's next for the project See you there! *Please bring water, snacks, comfortable, close-toed shoes, and warm clothes as we'll be outdoors and on our feet for the duration of the experience. This one-way experience is about two miles long. **While this experience includes educational content along the route, please note that it's mostly an urban hike versus guided history tour. ***Our experience will finish across from the Stop & Shop at 89-89 Union Tpke, Glendale, NY 11385 (here's a google map pin). About the Organizations The Natural Areas Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and caring for New York City's 20,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Through research, partnerships, and advocacy, the organization works to strengthen the health and resilience of the city's natural areas while advancing urban conservation efforts in New York and beyond. Founded in 2011 by local residents living along the long-abandoned LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch, Friends of the QueensWay is a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming the former railway into a vibrant public park and greenway. Over the past 15 years, the organization has built a broad coalition of residents, community groups, and civic leaders while hosting more than 150 tours, events, and engagement sessions to help turn the QueensWay vision into reality. Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization that works to connect communities with the outdoors by creating parks and protecting public land. In Queens, TPL has partnered with Friends of the QueensWay since 2011 to engage local communities and advance plans to transform the former Rockaway Beach Branch into a 3.5-mile linear park and greenway. Transportation: *Please double check train/bus departure times the day before as schedules can shift. By Subway: Take the E or F train to Kew Gardens–Union Tpke; the Overlook is approximately a 10-minute walk from the station. At the conclusion of the tour, take the Q23 bus directly in front of Stop & Shop to the Forest Hills–71 Av, with access to the E and F trains. By Train: Take the Long Island Rail Road to Kew Gardens station; the Overlook is approximately a 10-minute walk from the station. At the conclusion of the tour, take the Q54 bus from Metropolitan Av/71 Rd to Metropolitan Av/Lefferts Blvd; the Kew Gardens LIRR station is approximately a 7-minute walk from the bus stop. Disclaimer By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service. Categories: In-Person, Activities