Those who opted for the 1-mile run complete two laps around the track. (Credit: Kat Struhar)
Two-hundred thirty-seven runners took their marks at Victory Field on Sunday, Oct. 5 in the second annual QueensWay 5k—a race to raise awareness and build excitement for the QueensWay, a community effort to transform a 3.5 mile stretch of abandoned railway into a linear park.
“Once the park is actually developed and designed, we intend to have lots of community engagement. So, we want to start that out even before the park’s developed,” said Allison Sesso, a member of the Friends of the QueensWay steering committee.
This creation of green space is especially important in Queens according to the Friends of the QueensWay website, which states that the QueensWay’s southern neighborhood has only 0.2 acres of park space per 1,000 people (in comparison to New York City’s optimal benchmark of 2.5 acres). In addition to providing more open space, the QueensWay website also promises that the project will boost neighborhood connections, stimulate economic activity and improve community health for the more than 322,000 people who live within a mile of the park.
“There’s 28 schools that are around here that are gonna be able to run and play and walk and also connect with nature. We know that nature is really important for our physical health and our mental health, and just to have an opportunity to connect with one another,” Tamar Renaud, the director for Trust for Public Land’s New York State Director told the crowd in her opening remarks.
“As a small business owner right here in Queens, I can’t tell you how important the QueensWay is to us, not just for our neighbors, but for our local economy,” said Rachel Kellner, president of Aigner Chocolates, on behalf of the Metro Village Small Business Association, in her greeting to the runners.
“This project will bring neighbors to businesses across the trail, create hundreds of construction jobs and drive foot traffic to the small businesses that are truly the heart of this borough.”
The runners gathered at 9 a.m. to stretch around the Forest Park Soccer Field. Participants added sticky notes to an easel pad sharing what inspired them to run—“community,” “My Family,” “My ❤️of Queens”—and what excites them about the QueensWay—“Walking to my best friend’s house,” “bike paths,” “I used to trespass in the QueensWay as a kid.”
“I was inspired to run today by the concept of seeing everyone here together, seeing everyone enjoy being outdoors, recreation. I think it breeds community,” Payson Helming, 22, said.
Helming is a resident of East Meadow, a town about 20 minutes away from Queens. He is a frequent runner, biker, and rock climber who loves being outdoors, whether he’s tending to his herb garden or taking his dog, Thea, on a walk. He says the QueensWay will get people outside and talking to each other, forming connections and forging bonds. He especially appreciates that the QueensWay would be a place he could take little Thea where she wouldn’t risk being hit by cars.
Opening remarks began at 9:30 a.m. Among the speakers were several supporters of the QueensWay and community partners who worked together to make the event happen, including Sesso, Renaud, Kellner, Hope Buerkle, director of the Fast Feet Board, Christina Perdos, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation representative, and District 38 Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.
“This morning we’re gonna run, we’re gonna run because we’re alive. We’re gonna run because we love each other and because we love our community, because we love Queens,” Rajkumar said.
In her speech, Sesso addressed the $117.7 million federal funding cut the QueensWay faced earlier this year. President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress passed in July, removed more than $100 million previously awarded to The QueensWay in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In an interview, Sesso explained that these cuts did not affect the $35 million grant that was already awarded to the project, but added that the federal cuts make it all the more important to hold community events to build excitement around the project and draw attention to its potential.
“There still is momentum,” Sesso told the crowd. “And this is what we’re going to have more of as this continues to be a reality.”
Racers gather at the 5k starting line. (Credit: Kat Struhar)
Then, at 10 a.m. the countdown to the race began. Runners took their final stretches and moved to the starting line as the announcer set off the starting signal.
“Go!”
Those running the 5k took to the Forest Park trails—trails that the QueensWay park would help connect to the wider community. Since the Rockaway Beach Branch line, the site for the QueensWay, was abandoned more than 50 years ago, the area has become a habitat for diverse wildlife. In some sections, wild shrubs, vines, young trees, brambles, and native understory plants fill in between and around the rails. In many places, old rail tracks and ties are still intact, though rusted.
The first to finish were those who opted for the one-mile run, which took place on the track around the soccer field. As the mile-runners began to finish, a crowd of supporters, volunteers, and event leaders gathered to cheer and hand out a medal to each participant. Children and adults alike grinned as they rang the bell to announce their victory.
Whether they finished running or walking, smiling or dripping in sweat, all participants received a warm greeting and were invited to participate in a finish line festival. The festival featured free food from Cuenca Coffee Bar, a crafts table and a performance from local singing duo Jack and Mary Music.
“Even though the QueensWay isn’t built yet, it’s still already living,” Sesso said.
About the author(s)
Kat Struhar is a full-time MS student at Columbia Journalism School, where she hopes to hone her video skills and pursue a career in audience engagement.