Forest Hills Stadium Receives Overwhelming Community Support Amid Legal Challenges

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By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

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Forest Hills Stadium is gearing up for the latter part of its 2024 concert season, buoyed by a surge of community support despite facing legal and public challenges.

The historic venue, which has been a cultural staple since its opening in 1923, recently initiated a “Petition of Support” to gauge local and broader public backing amid ongoing lawsuits and adverse publicity.

As of mid-August, the petition has garnered over 25,000 signatures, with 60% coming from the local area, particularly the stadium’s own zip code of 11375. The initial outreach, which targeted local community partners, saw the petition accumulate 2,000 signatures within the first few days.

Support has continued to build, encompassing fans of music, architecture, and culture from across New York City and beyond. Each signature reflects the community’s endorsement of the venue’s mission, which has thrived for a decade under its current management.

John Kelly, a spokesperson with the venue and Tiebreaker Productions, addressed the ongoing support for Forest Hills Stadium amid its current legal disputes and community concerns.

“Forest Hills Stadium was built in 1923 to entertain people,” Kelly said. “It was built into the community to serve exactly as what it is. Providing shows 30 odd nights a year really brings a cultural viability to the neighborhood, but also a massive economic impact.”

Kelly confirmed that the “Petition of Support” for Forest Hills Stadium was a collaborative effort by the Forest Hills team, aimed at rallying public backing amid legal and public challenges.

“We wanted to gather some of that love, put it out there, and say, you know, we’re 101 years old,” Kelly said. “You don’t last that long by accident. We want to make sure that we have the support of our neighbors, the support of our friends, and support of our fans.”

The petition, which has garnered over 25,000 signatures, reflects a significant outpouring of support, with 60% of the signatories being local residents. The initiative seeks to underscore the venue’s value and long-standing presence in the community.

The primary motivation behind the petition was to validate the stadium’s role as a cherished part of the neighborhood, emphasizing its historical significance and ongoing contributions to the local culture and economy. The petition’s success, according to Kelly, serves as a testament to the community’s support and affirms the stadium’s commitment to open communication and collaboration with local residents.

Residents and visitors alike rallied around the petition, flooding it with heartfelt comments and enthusiastic endorsements that showed their deep connection to and support for the historic Forest Hills Stadium.

“I lived in FH when the stadium hosted the US Open,” John Suzuki said. “I’ve lived in FH while the stadium sat silent, decaying and sad. I’ve lived in FH as the stadium has been revitalized and come back to life. Living in FH is better when the stadium is full of life.”

“As a performing musician myself venues like these are the lifeblood of touring artists,” Joseph Caravella of Queens said.

“Forest Hills stadium is our favorite venue for concerts,” Gwenyth Allred of Brooklyn said. “Not only are they a great place to see a show, but they also provide unparalleled revenue, work opportunities, and economic gains for the entire neighborhoods of both Forest Hills and Kew Gardens, as well as the LIRR and MTA.”

Residents’ dissatisfaction with Forest Hills Stadium largely stems from ongoing disruptions and heightened demands from the venue’s operations. Key grievances include increased noise levels from concerts, which some locals feel disrupts their peace, despite the stadium’s efforts at sound mitigation. Additionally, there have been complaints about litter and congestion during events, exacerbated by the stadium’s popularity. These issues are compounded by a contentious legal dispute between the Forest Hills Gardens board and the West Side Tennis Club, which has sought a substantial increase in payments.

Christopher Rizzo, Esq., the lead attorney for Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, addresses the ongoing lawsuit against the Westside Tennis Club, currently before Judge Esposito in Queens County Supreme Court.

The lawsuit, filed on May 16, 2023, includes several allegations against the Club: operating a commercial music venue in a residential zoning district, breaching the restrictive declaration governing Forest Hills Gardens, trespassing on private streets, and creating significant public and private nuisances through noise violations and other unlawful actions.

Although much of the public’s attention has focused on noise complaints, the lawsuit addresses a range of issues, including zoning and property rights violations. In April 2024, Judge Esposito recognized the severity of the situation and issued a preliminary injunction. However, according to the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, the situation has deteriorated with an increased number of concerts and continued unauthorized street closures. The Gardens is working with the NYPD to manage safety concerns while the litigation proceeds.

The Gardens board of directors has issued the following statement on the matter.

 “We were compelled to sue due to the significant increase in concerts beyond the original agreement, now nearing 40 events per season. Tiebreaker Productions seems to prioritize profit over the well-being of our residents, affecting their access to their homes and causing excessive noise. We are confident in our legal position and hope the Westside Tennis Club and Tiebreaker will address these ongoing issues and show respect for our community.”

Despite these challenges, Kelly highlighted the venue’s efforts to address noise concerns and maintain positive relations with neighbors through extensive sound mitigation measures and community engagement.

In a separate lawsuit filed by Concerned Citizens of Forest Hills Inc, where plaintiffs alleged that the West Side Tennis Club (WSTC) caused excessive noise from its Forest Hills Stadium, leading to a private nuisance, the court reviewed the defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint. The court found that the plaintiffs’ allegations of widespread harm to the entire Forest Hills community did not meet the criteria for a private nuisance claim, which requires harm to a relatively few individuals, and their argument for a public nuisance with special injury was also insufficient. Consequently, the court dismissed the complaint on August 14.

“The entire Forest Hills Stadium team is delighted and grateful to the court for today’s decision,” Akiva Shapiro of Gibson Dunn, Counsel to the West Side Tennis Club said. “We are also heartened by the outpouring of love from the Forest Hills community, our neighbors, and the more than 25,000 people who have signed a petition to support the Stadium. We remain committed to thoughtfully preserving a cultural icon and delivering the best possible experience inside and outside of the Stadium. While this does not mean the end of the Stadium’s legal challenges, we are hopeful that the Stadium’s rights will soon be fully vindicated in the remaining lawsuits as well.”

Kelly expressed gratitude for the public’s support and reiterated the stadium’s dedication to being a good neighbor while continuing to provide cultural and economic benefits to the area. He emphasized that the petition’s success and the supportive comments from the community illustrate the stadium’s integral role in Queens and its ongoing commitment to delivering memorable experiences for its patrons.

“I understand both sides of the question there, it’s a unique venue,” Forest Hills resident and local music historian, Daniel Olson said. “You don’t have too many venues that are that size, that are so easily accessible to public transportation. I think the promoters over the years have done a lot to address the concerns of the community. We don’t have that many venues in Queens. There aren’t that many in New York either. Not everybody can play in Madison Square Garden.”

In response to recent legal disputes and public criticism, the stadium’s management has highlighted its commitment to community relations. The venue enforces a 10:00 p.m. curfew for performances, implements extensive noise mitigation measures, and has invested significantly in controlling amplification.

Forest Hills Stadium is recognized for its positive economic impact and role as a beloved local landmark. As it faces potential shutdown due to ongoing lawsuits, advocates are calling on local representatives to recognize and support the stadium’s enduring value to the community.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the love and support of our friends and neighbors,” Kelly said. “This petition is just a great demonstrative side of how many people really care for the stadium and really want to see it continue.”

For more information and to view the full event calendar, visit the Forest Hills Stadium website at foresthillsstadium.com. If you would like to view or sign the petition, you can do so at change.org/p/show-your-support-for-forest-hills-stadium.