Behind The Scenes with Friends of The QueensWay Executive Director John Surico
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QueensWay with preserved historic railroad infrastructure.
BY MICHAEL PERLMAN
mperlman@queensledger.com
“Hop aboard the QueensWay!”… Not to catch a train, since trains were last decommissioned from the LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch Line in 1962 due to minimal passenger counts and fire damage, but for Queens’ first linear park and cultural greenway of its kind. The QueensWay will be stationed along an abandoned route, such as where a Forest Hills trestle on Metropolitan Avenue bears a stone inscription of 1908. Fast-forwarding, late 2026 will mark the groundbreaking of the QueensWay’s construction, complete with community leaders driving shovels into the soil alongside a lush forested but long-neglected industrial backdrop for phase 1, the Metropolitan Hub.
Volunteer opportunities are plentiful and can be found on the QueensWay’s social media and Trust For Public Land’s website. A public cleanup of the QueensWay in Forest Park will be held on September 27 at 10:30 AM (meet at Stop & Shop), and the QueensWay 5K 2026 will be on October 4 at 9 AM at Victory Field.
Enter the world of 35-year-old John Surico, a 12-year Astoria resident and former Floral Park resident, who has his heart throughout Queens, beating in the direction of its future while celebrating its past. This adds to last week’s column, which focused on the QueensWay’s status and goals, as well as the background of Friends of the QueensWay’s board member, Karen Imas of Forest Hills. Surico is an outstanding voice in urbanism and a largely respected writer, researcher, and organizer, who prioritizes mobility and open space. As September rolled in, he made history as Friends of the QueensWay’s first executive director, which is his dream come true.
The QueensWay will ultimately bridge the Central and Southern Queens communities of Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Glendale, Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park, and also anchor Queens enthusiasts through recreation, the arts, cultural foods, and historic and environmental preservation. It also bridges historically disconnected residential areas. A much-needed green space will feature current and new diverse trees, native vegetation, and edible gardens. A pedestrian and bike path will offer a newly commanding bird’s-eye exposure of neighborhoods, and enable access to nearby bike lanes en route to Rockaway Beach and Jamaica Bay’s recreational spaces, as well as five subway lines, numerous commercial corridors, and schools.
Back in 2011, Queens residents living alongside the abandoned LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch had an ambitious vision for the 3.5-mile stretch, joined forces, and began advocating for its revitalization into a vibrant yet serene public park. This grassroots initiative led to the creation of Friends of the QueensWay, a community-driven organization supported by hundreds of individuals and groups through petitions, fundraisers, cleanups, tours, and events.
In recent times, Surico served as Senior Fellow for Climate and Opportunity at the Center for an Urban Future, and drew his energy towards parks and open space. “I led their parks portfolios and focused on research reports and policy recommendations on how to improve the parks of New York City, and acquire more funding. It was through that work, the QueensWay was placed on my radar,” said Surico.
For 10+ years, he has provided coverage of parks among public spaces as a journalist. For over five years in Astoria, Surico has been a strong advocate for public space, and proudly became the Chair of 31st Avenue Open Street Collective. He explained, “It is a pop-up space on weekends, where on two blocks we introduce tons of free programming, including performances, have long tables of outdoor seating, and partner with local businesses for events. That exposed me to the need for thriving public space, engagement, programming reflective of the community, and building up a volunteer effort in 2020 with few people to a nonprofit with 100+ volunteers and 100+ programmers.” This enabled him to work with elected officials and help introduce additional permanent public space to Western Queens, which ranks upwards of the lesser ten of council districts for the lack of public space. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
“For much of my work early on, I was in touch with Trust For Public Land, which plays a pivotal role in the QueensWay,” said Surico. That entails engagement and elected official support. “I wrote about the QueensWay and visited then. To make history as QueensWay’s first executive director is unbelievable. I could not have imagined it a couple of years ago. It has been an exciting project, specifically since we do not have many projects like it in NYC. It is unique in terms of where it is and what existed. It is quite different from the High Line. Being able to do a project in the borough that I live in is really exciting,” he continued.
Surico explained his vision for The QueensWay. “As someone who has a family history in Queens and knows the navigational disconnect between the neighborhoods that it would serve, it is a tremendous opportunity to link them through walking, running, biking, and open space. I want to show people that it is possible and have New Yorkers reimagine the space.” Surico, who views historic photos, finds this rare redevelopment opportunity intriguing, and marvels over how the route has been abandoned for decades, causing trees to grow between the rails. “Let’s think about the diverse benefits; not only recreational space, especially for the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School, but rewilding the space with amazing biodiversity, adding stormwater retention (flooding has been on the rise in recent years), and making it accessible to all. Let’s also make it accessible for all these neighborhoods as a backyard to put on programming, and I am really excited about that potential.”
In the short-term, his goal is lifting much of the work from the plate of volunteers over the years and centralizing the initiative. “The fact that Karen Imas and the rest of the board have pursued this in their free time is admirable. Let’s determine everyone’s roles and what we can focus on, including which kinds of fundraisers and volunteer engagements we can coordinate. The question becomes, ‘What’s a one-stop shop where everyone can see what’s going on with the QueensWay? Where are places we can pop up to tell people what’s happening?”
As for a long-term goal, he said, “Once construction starts, I will be the eyes on the ground and want to be a trusted messenger to all businesses along Metropolitan Avenue. I will be an on-the-ground liaison for all community residents. I plan to potentially bring on additional staff and would love to have a benefit in the next calendar year.” His goal is to determine how the organization can assure that once the QueensWay opens, routine maintenance, programming, and safety protocols will be in place to live up to the envisioned world-class amazing park.
With a background in communication and engagement, Surico is ideal for the QueensWay’s promotional factor. “Before becoming an executive director, I would see what’s going on along Austin Street, at Forest Hills Stadium, Metropolitan Avenue, as well as along other parts of the rail, such as Ozone Park and Richmond Hill,” he said. His eyes are open to upcoming tabling events that he and his team can participate in, as well as citywide tour dates that would be ideal for parties of interest to become acquainted with the QueensWay. He is also on the lookout for presentation opportunities, press conferences, and becoming a panelist at diverse events. He visualizes presenting at Community Board 6 and the Forest Hills Greenmarket. Friends of the QueensWay will continue to be a dynamic force with the Trust For Public Land.
The route’s history, ambiance, and its potential inspires Surico, who estimates two to three years for completing phase 1 of the QueensWay. “These are the backyards my parents grew up in. My mom grew up in City Line, just below Forest Park, and my dad was raised in Ozone Park. I’ve been going to Eddie’s Sweet Shop and Aigner Chocolates since I was a kid. To be able to do a project here feels like a higher-level fate. The potential is remarkable for this long-abandoned stretch of land in our backyard that the city wanted nothing to do with. I have been heartened by a number of the design elements that the city put forward so far in its presentations, which bears homage to its history, such as reusing some of the rail and steel infrastructure. I will keep an eye on how to highlight artifacts. Karen Imas and the team have been using the term ‘cultural greenway,’ which not only shows what came before, but the future.” He noted other rail lines that have been abandoned in New York, such as the High Line, which the public helped repurpose into a major destination.
John Surico, New Executive Director of Friends of the QueensWay.
Surico feels that the ambiance of being able to create a transporting place behind busy commercial and vehicular corridors, and have a refuge and hub of activity, has been essential for the team to translate to partners. Additionally, he explained, “The history of residents and their advocacy behind this project for a long time has been amazing to watch. I have been learning a lot about that local community.”
Cleanups and tours influence attendees to imagine the QueensWay’s potential, which will bring nature to the forefront. The QueensWay’s stretch will border Forest Park, which is among the most idyllic destinations citywide for migratory birds besides Jamaica Bay, according to Surico, who goes birding. Such events are periodic. “Some of our earliest supporters were the birding community and hikers, since they would come upon this rail and say, ‘What is this?’ You have an opportunity to improve the route with more parkland for wildlife species to go, and reintroduce local native trees and pollinators.” He commended the Forest Park Trust and explained that what exists can be enhanced and expanded upon.
The EDC’s presentation provides hints of graceful to flamboyant species of trees and plants, which will be introduced. Some consist of Shadblow Serviceberry, known for its white blooms in the spring and feeding birds all summer long, as well as Tulip Trees, where tulip-shaped flowers peak after decades, and the deciduous trees are regarded as North America’s tallest. Eastern Redbud is praised for its energy, where abundant pink blooms are first to take wing. Then there is Red Maple, which Friends of the QueensWay stated, “Goes full flame every October. The one photo everyone reposts.” Taylor Eastern Red Cedar is a majestic evergreen.
Diverse plants will include Staghorn Sumac, recognized as “The drama queen. Goes full crimson every October like it’s got somewhere to be.” As for Oakleaf Hydrangea, they stated, “Already booked for every corridor selfie. No notes.” Making our way to New Jersey Tea, it is referenced for its fireworks depiction. “Works like one too, where every pollinator in the block shows up,” stated Friends of the QueensWay. It is known that the birds will quarrel over Elderberry plants. Inkberry is praised for remaining green in February. “Somebody on this corridor has to,” they stated.
“One of my first short-term goals is devising a volunteer set of touchpoints for upcoming events, such as cleanups and landscaping, and other forms of engagement,” said Surico, who encounters an audience that wishes to lend a helping hand. “There are so many people who want to help, so how do you tap into local talent?” he asked.
One of his immediate major focuses besides the construction of the QueensWay’s phase 1, the Metropolitan Hub, will be promotions. Surico explained, “Phase 1 will be an existential moment, since it shows people that the project is still happening. There will be such a powerful message once we get the shovels in the ground. Then we need to acquire additional political and institutional support for funds for the next phases. Once phase 1 is underway, we can gain momentum. Borough President Donovan Richards recently visited and said, ‘This is the year of the QueensWay.’ He committed to funding a little more of an expansion further south into Forest Park during phase 1, which would be really exciting.”
Volunteer cleanup along the QueensWay.
Phase 1 will be somewhat more than a half a mile, which accounts for a little less than a third of the QueensWay’s total length. That phase would currently span from Metropolitan Avenue behind Trader Joe’s and the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School to Union Turnpike. “I feel it is really important for New Yorkers to see that there are improvements being made where they live. Queens residents felt like other parts of our city are receiving more attention, but now we will have a world-class, first of its kind project,” he said.
When Surico is not focusing on the QueensWay, he is always exploring the beautiful borough of Queens, leading park and tree pit cleanups, becoming acquainted with diverse foods, and enjoying travel. In response to Queens’ nickname as “The World’s Borough,” he said, “We will determine different ways to introduce programming along the QueensWay to reflect diverse culture.”
The QueensWay will offer a multi-generational, exploratory, and neighborly experience. Some residents recall the route’s past as a rail. “It’s crazy for me, since I live with a parent who remembers when it was a rail when he was a kid. I spoke to my father all about this. He can’t even imagine what it would be like as a park, but he has been to other parts of the city that were transformed in his lifetime,” said Surico. The commendable and dynamic team is committed towards developing a momentous destination that is part of a larger picture of a more equitable and livable city. Queens is ready for a new chapter. To follow the cause and volunteer, visit www.thequeensway.org
