Concluding Thoughts

Forest Park gives to its residents and visitors a chance to relax and get away from the pressures of everyday life.

Essentially covering residents in postal zip code of 11421, Woodhaven today has a population which consists of not only Europeans and Hispanics but also small numbers of Asians and African-Americans who have moved and settled here with their families. Whites are 18,054 or 47.9% of the population, while Hispanics are 16,414 or 43.6%, Asians 5,155 or 13.7% and African Americans 1,949 or 5.3%. (4). Woodhaven’s strong appeal lies in the fact that it offers affordable housing to a large number of tenants and beautiful parks to city residents as well as its easy access to public transportation, shopping and basic services. Besides, there has been a spike in the Woodhaven population growth since 1990 which has resulted from more immigrants coming into the neighborhood. This surge has been a source of concern for many long-time residents who have decided to relocate to other neighborhoods. Because of this demographic phenomenon, there are a series of illegal tenements springing up in different sections of the neighborhood. However, in order to address this situation and diminish illegal tenement, landlords will have to create more affordable housing on a much larger scale.

Woodhaven Library, which is easily accessible to its residents, is located near Woodhaven Strip.

For me, the research has provided a wonderful insight about how neighborhoods are established. To know that land ownership could change over many years and that each owner had a different vision regarding the use of land is remarkable. Perhaps, Woodhaven would not have come about had it not been for the remarkable Connecticut real estate investor John R. Pitkin, who wanted residents of his community to enjoy the outdoors.

Park Lane South - A cool drive along Forest Park in Woodhaven.

Although Woodhaven has come a long way and is providing one of the best recreational accommodation through its amazing parks, it still needs to encourage the creation of more industries or businesses which could offer employment to many of its residents. In addition, many of its homes and structures seem to be in dire need of modernization. By increasing affordable housing accommodation, it would encourage more city workers, who’re desirous of avoiding the high Manhattan rent rates, to come and live in the neighborhood. An increase in population would motivate and attract major business franchises which could inject a large amount of economic stimulus through their businesses in this neighborhood. Landlords with buildings along the main shopping district on Jamaica Avenue should offer cheaper rents to attract businesses to keep the space occupied rather than to have empty storefronts and hold out for high rents. Besides its major commerce being conducted along Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, Woodhaven could open other streets to commercial activities.

While Woodhaven has a modest population with ethnic diversity compared with other Queens neighborhoods such as Flushing, Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill and Astoria with high ethnic enclaves, it has managed to retain its recreational flavor, which is exactly what its founder John R. Pitkin had in mind.