Read the Op-Ed OANA supports the proposed 31st Street bike lane project in Astoria contingent on the full implementation of critical safety, enforcement, and operational measures. We believe the corridor’s unique conditions—including heavy pedestrian activity, elevated subway infrastructure, and overlapping transportation modes—require integrated traffic controls for vehicles, bicycles, micromobility, and pedestrians to improve safety and reduce conflicts. Our support also depends on meaningful enforcement, including visible NYPD presence and long-term accountability measures for bikes and micromobility devices. OANA considers this a probationary approval and recommends a formal public review after one year to evaluate safety, congestion, emergency response impacts, and overall performance. Additional concerns regarding student safety near PS 85 and FDNY emergency operations must continue to be monitored and addressed throughout implementation. The success of this project will depend not only on design, but on how effectively it is controlled, enforced, and evaluated in practice.

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OANA is excited to share information about Queens Taste, an event featuring restaurants and eateries from across Queens, NY. Join the most delicious event of the year on May 12 at Sound River Studios in LIC for an unforgettable evening featuring unlimited sips and samples from more than 50 of Queens’ best restaurants, breweries, dessert makers, and food artisans. Enjoy incredible food, skyline views along the East River, and celebrate the flavors that make Queens the food capital of the world. 📍 Sound River Studios, Long Island City 📅 Tuesday, May 12 | 6 PM – 9 PM Get your tickets before sales end at QueensTaste.org!

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We’re happy to share updates on upcoming May programming at the Noguchi Museum in Queens. This month offers a range of opportunities to engage with Isamu Noguchi’s work through exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, and community programs. Curator’s Tour: Noguchi’s New York Saturday, May 9 (11:30 am–12:30 pm) Join the museum curator for a guided tour of Noguchi’s New York, focusing on Noguchi’s relationship with the city and its influence on his practice. Socrates x Noguchi Field Guide: Green Spaces Saturday, May 16 (11 am–1 pm) An outdoor, hands-on workshop at Socrates Sculpture Park exploring experimental art-making inspired by nature. Drawing from a Distance (Virtual Program) Monday, May 18 (7:30–9 pm) A free monthly online drawing session centered on Isamu Noguchi’s work, designed for reflection and community engagement. You can view the Noguchi’s events calendar here.

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OANA is excited to share that world-renowned sculptor Chakaia Booker will be returning to Socrates Sculpture Park on May 11. This special “Homecoming” installation will feature three of her monumental works: Serendipity, Gridlock, and LIKE. The exhibition highlights Booker’s powerful use of recycled materials to create dynamic sculptural forms that explore movement, resilience, and transformation. Her return is especially meaningful in the context of Socrates’ 40-year legacy as a space for experimentation, public art, and community engagement. We encourage neighbors and visitors to experience this milestone installation beginning May 11. Learn more here.

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Read the Op-Ed OANA has released a new op-ed arguing that New York should extend the proposed Interborough Express beyond Queens and into the Bronx. The op-ed, “Don’t Stop the IBX at Queens. Extend It to the Bronx,” argues that while the IBX is one of the most important transit projects proposed in generations, the current plan leaves a major opportunity unfinished by stopping at Jackson Heights. The piece points out that the existing rail corridor already continues north along the Hell Gate route into the Bronx, raising a simple question: why stop in Queens at all? According to the op-ed, extending the line into the Bronx would improve cross-borough connectivity, reduce long and inefficient commutes, expand access to jobs, and create new opportunities for housing and economic development. The article calls for the MTA to formally study an extension to Hunts Point Avenue as an initial phase, with future expansion to Parkchester and beyond. It also emphasizes the need for coordination between the MTA, Amtrak, Metro-North, freight rail operators, and federal agencies to make the project possible. Please read the op-ed here and the accompanying Supporting Case document here. This op-ed was also published in the National Herald. 

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OANA is excited about spring at Socrates Sculpture Park. May is kicking off with new exhibits and their 40th anniversary celebration. Dome Cartographies: Scribble Scores, Archival Projections, and Jazz in the Dome May 2 | 5–9 PM A free evening of participatory art, live music, food, and community with artist Natalia Nakazawa. Expect hands-on workshops, sunset projections, and a relaxed BBQ-style gathering in the park. Homecoming: Chakaia Booker (Opening) May 11 Opening of a major outdoor exhibition featuring three monumental works by Chakaia Booker. The show highlights her long relationship with Socrates and her powerful sculptural practice. Field Guide X Noguchi: Green Spaces – Plant Terrarium Workshop May 17 | 11 AM–1 PM A hands-on workshop in collaboration with The Noguchi Museum where participants build terrariums and explore connections between sculpture, nature, and natural forms. Sunset Meditation with Mindful Astoria Starting May 5 (Tuesdays) | 7–8 PM Weekly evening meditation sessions in the park focused on breathwork, gentle movement, and relaxation. Open to all levels, no experience needed. For more information, please check out the full calendar here.

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The NYC Department of Transportation is hosting a free public event aimed at helping older adults and people with disabilities better understand and access transportation options across New York City. The Access to Independence Transportation Resource Fair will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Union Square Park in Manhattan’s North Plaza. The event will run rain or shine and does not require an RSVP. Attendees will be able to learn about accessible transportation services, meet transit providers and public agencies, explore new mobility technology, and connect with organizations that support disability and older adult communities. There will also be travel training demonstrations and cultural programming throughout the day. This is a free opportunity for anyone interested in improving independent travel and understanding the resources available across NYC. Please pass this event along to anyone you know who might be interested! To learn more, please visit this link: https://www.nyc.gov/main/events/?permalinkName=access-to-independence-transportation-resource-fair&id=951976&sequence=1&

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A five-alarm fire sadly tore through a vacant church property in Astoria on Thursday evening, injuring six firefighters, including one who was struck by falling debris. The blaze began in an empty building and spread to the historic First Reform Church of Astoria, both over 100 years old. The original church building dates back to the 1830s, but after a major 19th-century fire it was rebuilt in 1888. The FDNY sent over 270 personnel to battle the flames. Parts of the roof collapsed and firefighters were forced to fight the fire from outside. Luckily, all injuries are reported as non-life-threatening. The cause is under investigation, but the fire highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding abandoned buildings in NYC. OANA President Richard Khuzami was cited in the Queens Chronicle, which covers this incident in more detail.

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Walk-in interviews will be held on Thursday, April 23 from 11 AM – 2 PM for a free, full-time 8-week Green Construction & Energy Efficiency Training Program (May 4 – June 30). Important: Only open to residents of these zip codes: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, 11106, 11369, 11373, 11377. You must bring proof of address to attend. The program offers hands-on training, industry certifications, and job readiness for those serious about a career in construction and energy efficiency

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Hello Friends, Members, and Supporters. We will be kicking off our events this year in April and May with two cleanups, on April 25th and May 2nd, at Whitey Ford Field. Details are available in the attached flyer. The flyer is being exhibited on all LinkNYC Kiosks in Astoria and parts of Long Island City, and will run through May 2nd 2026 All supplies, including gloves, garbage bags, brooms, rakes, and wheelbarrows, are provided by the Parks Department. There will be snacks and water on hand -we like to feed and take care of our volunteers! OTHER ACTIVITIES We will have an exciting lineup this Spring and Summer.    For the first time in the field’s history, the City Parks Foundation is organizing a puppet show, “Pinocchio,” in July, followed by a Home Run Derby a few weeks later, organized by New York City Rising Stars. Expect other events to be penciled in. We are also excited to announce that we will be partnering with a top arts school in Queens on one of the most innovative and ambitious projects in the city. More news in a press release in a month or two! If you would like to volunteer or help fund many of our programs, you may find more details at https://friendsofwhiteyfordfield.org/how-you-can-help/. No donation is too small. Kind regards,Blair Clancy and Neil HerdanCo-ChairsFriends of Whitey Ford Field

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