Jackson Heights, Queens

Jackson Heights is a neighborhood in north-western Queens, New York City. In addition to a large population of multi-generational Europeans, the area currently includes a large immigrant population, notably from India and Bangladesh, and a large Hispanic community, especially people from Cuba, Ecuador and Colombia. "Little India" is located around the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway (not the famous Broadway of Manhattan) at 74th Street. This is also where the IRT Flushing Line ({{NYCS 7}}) meets the IND Queens Boulevard Line ({{NYCS E}}, {{NYCS F}}, {{NYCS V}}, {{NYCS G}}, and {{NYCS R}}) and numerous bus routes at a $140 million transportation hub that was completed in July 2005. The community is bounded by Northern Boulevard (formerly Jackson Avenue) to the north, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to the west, Roosevelt Avenue to the south, and Junction Boulevard to the east. The area immediately to the north, from Northern Boulevard to the Grand Central Parkway, though somewhat different in character, is also sometimes regarded as part of the neighborhood.

Related Topics:
Neighborhood - Queens - New York City - Europeans - India - Bangladesh - Hispanic - Cuba - Ecuador - Colombia - Roosevelt Avenue - Broadway - IRT Flushing Line - IND Queens Boulevard Line - Brooklyn-Queens Expressway - Grand Central Parkway

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Most of the neighborhood is a National Register Historic District and about half is a designated New York City Historic District. It is comprised of large Garden Apartment buildings (the term was invented for buildings in Jackson Heights) and many groupings of private homes. It was a planned development laid out by Edward MacDougall's Queensboro Corporation in the 1920s, following the arrival of the Flushing Line elevated train. A former golf course located between 76th and 78th Streets, and 34th and 37th Avenues was built upon during the 1940s.

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Jackson Heights was the first garden community built in the United States, as part of the international Garden City movement at the turn of the last century. There are more private parks (historically called gardens by the residents) within walking distance of each other than in any other city in America. They are tucked in the mid-blocks, mostly hidden from view by the buildings surrounding them. Several approach the size of Gramercy Park, in Manhatan, and one is slightly larger. As befits private parks, unless given an invitation, the key to gain entry is to own a co-op around its perimeter. The basis for the private ownership of the parks of Jackson Heights is derived from its founding principal--as a privately owned little garden city, built largely under the oversight of one person.

Related Topics:
Garden City movement - Gramercy Park

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The community consists mostly of middle-income to upscale cooperative apartments. Many residents commute to nearby Manhattan, just fifteen minutes away by subway. The main retail thoroughfare is bustling 37th Avenue. 35th and 34th Avenues and most side streets are zoned residential. Jackson Heights is an urbane melting pot with heavy Indian, Jewish, Korean, Polish, Irish, Chinese, Russian, South American, and other ethnic populations. It also contains the largest gay and lesbian community in New York outside of Manhattan.

Related Topics:
Manhattan - Indian - Jewish - Korean - Polish - Irish - Chinese - Russian - South American

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Jackson Heights has more school choices within walking distance than anyplace else in America, except for some sections of Manhattan. Most students attend P.S. 69 or P.S. 212 for primary school. There are other Catholic, Jewish, private, and charter schools. The community is home to old churches and temples. The highest density of sidewalk trees in New York City can be found along the residential streets of Jackson Heights.

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Colombian broadcaster RCN has its American headquarters there.

Related Topics:
Colombian - RCN

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http://jhbg.org/

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