Woodhaven Today

Famous writer Betty Davis in 1943 had lived in this Forest Parkway house, Woodhaven.

While New York City is a “melting pot” of cultures, Woodhaven, which is considered to be a mostly residential, semi-suburban neighborhood with a low-density population, conducts its commerce principally on Jamaica Avenue, which runs diagonally east to west and bisects Woodhaven. With the elevated J and Z subway lines roaring overhead and dozens of small shops stacked below, Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven is a portrait of an old Queens shopping strip. Residents greet each other at these neighborhood stores, most of which have survived generations with ownership passed from parent to child. Local merchants offer reasonably priced food and merchan dise—from clothing and toys to hardware and laundries—to residents.

Hollywood actress Mae West had lived at 89-05 88th Street, Woodhaven, a landmark property.

But the recent economic downturn has taken its toll on neighborhood businesses, which are hard-pressed to provide good service and remain profitable. One of the oldest and well-known stores in this neighborhood, Lewis’ of Woodhaven became a victim of the Wall Street collapse. After 68 years in business, it recently closed both of its locations because of high rentals for its 10,000 square foot warehouse and after being displaced by the giant Duane Reade drugstore. Established in 1933 by Julius Lewis, this store was the epicenter of the commercial strip, offering everything from hardware to groceries at bargain prices. Local folks have dubbed the variety store an icon. Marie Clark, who has been a resident of the neighborhood for more than 20 years, said she is saddened about the closure because she always buys all her supplies from this neighborhood store. “I believe in supporting our business because they depend on us and we depend on them. It’s a real shame to see Lewis’ go. I will miss shopping here,” Ms. Clark said.

Woodhaven Park Estates at 89-15 Woodhaven Blvd, once Columbia Park, was redeveloped recently.

With mainly one-to-two-family Victorian and Colonial homes and the median home sales price at $450,000, Woodhaven households also include several first-generation war veterans. Many of these homes are over 120 years old and homeowners have been asked to remodel and beautify their properties to ensure their stability and safety. One of the oldest and still surviving structures in Woodhaven is the home located at 87-20 88th Street, which, in 1920, had to move from Jamaica Avenue due to the construction of the J elevated subway system. Besides the J and Z trains which cater for the neighborhood’s transportation needs, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train zooms across Jamaica Avenue not far away and many major bus routes zip zaps across Woodhaven including the express QM15, QM16, QM17, QM 18, QM21, QM23 and QM24 and local Q11 and Q53. ^[1]

A signage at Forest Parkway to welcome visitors to Forest Park in Woodhaven.

As for recreation, Woodhaven, with its abundance of trees and open space, seems to provide ample opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors. Forest Park, one of New York City’s biggest parks, is known for its golf course, tennis courts, band-shell, carousel, playgrounds, athletic fields and wooded parkland, is the most sought place for joggers, picnickers, fun seekers and sports training. In addition, Forest Park is the venue where the Queens Borough Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic present symphony, jazz and other music events. The Metropolitan Opera, Big Apple Circus and other organizations stage recreational activities in the famous Bandshell within the park. Forest Park also has nature trails and over 500 acres of land that stretches between the cemetery belt, Kew Gardens, Union Turnpike and Glendale and Park Lane South in Woodhaven and Richmond Hill. The city bought up many acres of unused property which it used to create the park. Woodhaven has remained as one of the preserved areas of Queens with traces of its history still in sight. ^[2]

The once popular Dexter Park had been demolished and is now being renovated.

Another important park was Dexter Park baseball field just east of Franklin K. Lane High School in Woodhaven which had once occupied 10 acres of land with playgrounds, bowling alleys, a carousel and a dance hall. It made baseball history in 1930, when the first engineered lighting system for night games was installed and later became a 15,000-seat park with a steel grandstand. Woodhaven has remained as one of the preserved areas of Queens with traces of its history still in sight. ^[3]

Other attractions in Woodhaven include an annual motorcycle parade on Woodhaven Boulevard to commemorate the bravery of War Veterans. During the parade, the Salvation Army collects donations and toys for the winter holidays, when it helps needy children in depressed countries. A street fair in appreciation of the cultural diversity of Woodhaven residents is held every year on Jamaica Avenue. Among notable current and former residents of Woodhaven are George Gershwin, composer of many famous show-tunes; Betty Smith, author; Barry Sullivan, film and television star; and Fred Trump, father of the famous Donald Trump and real estate developer. Betty Smith is well known for her work “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”. Her house is still intact and is located across the street of Woodhaven Library.

References

1. ↑ Wikipedia Web Site 2009. “Woodhaven Queens” March 22, 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodhaven,_Queens
2. ↑ Forgotten New York Web Site 2007 “Woodhaven” February 25, 2007 http://www.forgotten-ny.com/NEIGHBORHOODS/woodhaven/woodhaven.html
3. ↑ Forgotten New York Web Site 2007 “Woodhaven” February 25, 2007 http://www.forgotten-ny.com/NEIGHBORHOODS/woodhaven/woodhaven.html