FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS Neighborhood Arts and Cultural Inventory

Home , Edgemere Landfill, Fort Tilden, Jacob Riis Park, Triangle 54

Rockaway Waterfront Alliance in Rockaway Artists Alliance partnership with Far Rockaway Arverne Nonprofit Coalition BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY BACKGROUND CAPACITY The Rockaway Peninsula is a New York City Building Community gem with over 25 miles of shoreline. Situated Capacity (BCC), takes between the Atlantic Ocean and Jamaica a collaborative and Bay in southeast Queens, the eastern end comprehensive approach encompasses seven neighborhoods—Far to building cultural capacity Rockaway, Bayswater, Wave Crest, Edgemere, in targeted low-income Arverne, Hammels, and Rockaway Beach—and neighborhoods. This multi- is home to an estimated 93,000 individuals. It is year program strives to a diverse community, racially, culturally, and in ensure both that culture its urban form. About 44% of residents identify is included as part of the as Black/African American, 27% as Latino/ City’s interagency efforts Hispanic, and 22% as White. Communities around neighborhood from the Caribbean, Central America, Eastern planning, affordable Europe, and Africa are nestled in with earlier housing, and economic settlers from Ireland, Italy, and the American development; and that South. The urban character is composed of local cultural stakeholders inner city and suburban elements. High- and have ownership and voice low-rise towers and elevated subway tracks in their own community’s are intermingled with one- and two-family development efforts. homes and expansive beaches. This melding IN THIS REPORT is reflective of the area’s history as a summer The research data and resort and as site to Robert Moses’ ambitious analysis outlined in the top-down planning. following sections express This part of the Rockaway Peninsula is home to the voices of 523 Far a growing arts and cultural community. Local Rockaway community artists and culture makers reflect the diversity members representing of the local population and work across art a broad cross-section of mediums and professional levels. Many artists people who live, work, and in the area appreciate the area’s relative visit the neighborhood. affordability, tight-knit community, proximity 3 NEIGHBORHOOD to the city and nature, and ability to impart SNAPSHOT on a relatively unrecognized cultural footprint. 5 KEY FINDINGS There are a growing number of local cultural 12 INSIGHTS organizations and a few anchor institutions, 16 CULTURAL ASSETS such as the Queens Library and Rockaway 23 CULTURAL Waterfront Alliance. However, many artists who LANDSCAPE AND live in the area work and showcase their talents ENGAGEMENT off the peninsula. Meanwhile, local residents 27 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS seek out arts and culture experiences and recognize that arts and culture make a valuable STUDY AREA contribution to the Rockaways, impacting This study focuses on quality of life, economic and business the eastern end of the development, and community resilience. Rockaway Peninsula from The peninsula’s peripheral position to the rest Beach 94th Street to the Nassau County boundary. of New York City can make travel to and from This areas distinctive the area a challenge. Travel times to work are neighborhoods include Far some of the longest in the city, though the Rockaway, Bayswater, Wave area is served by multiple modes of public Crest, Edgemere, Arverne, transportation including the MTA A-subway Hammels, and Rockaway line, LIRR, express and local bus service, Beach. For the purpose of a robust (though unregulated) dollar van brevity the study will refer system, and a new ferry service to downtown to the extent of this area as Manhattan just outside the study area. In 2018, Far Rockaway. the City piloted a bike share program locally. Front cover photos (clockwise from top left): Joshua Simpson, 2018; Joshua Simpson, 2018; Giles Ashford; Ben Martin, 2018; Ben Martin, 2018 Though recent estimates date the formation of the peninsula just 400 ears y ago, the Lenape, from whose language the area takes its name, were believed to be the first to populate the area. Their land was subsequently bought and sold by the Dutch, then English, then capitalizing New Yorkers, who reshaped the area into a fashionable summer resort. At its peak, the Rockaway Peninsula as a whole drew 48 million summer visitors and had a summer population of 225,000. The mid-19th century also brought significant change reflective of city, state, and federal policies. Robert Moses altered the landscape through road and rail infrastructure and opened Jacob Riis Park. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlined Hammels and Arverne from investment. A number of low- and middle-income public housing developments were planned and constructed. The City moved many poor families to scantily winterized summer homes with little investment in transportation, education, or economic opportunity. As a result of these and other policies, the Rockaway Peninsula today remains divided along lines of race, socioeconomics, and politics while the public realm is deeply

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 1 fragmented. There is an estimated 270 acres of vacant land. It is a recognized environmental justice impact area and disproportionality carries the burden of poor health outcomes in obesity, diabetes, asthma, and mental health. Local arts and culture play an important role in recognizing and grappling with these legacies. Superstorm Sandy devastated the Rockaway Peninsula in October 2012, and many residents are still recovering from the damage. Sandy compounded the neighborhood’s already vulnerable housing market still recovering from the 2008 recession. In Edgemere alone roughly 10% of all 1–4 family homes were in the foreclosure process in 2017.1 Many small businesses, which make up the majority of commercial activity on the peninsula, closed after the storm, and some never reopened. In spite of the area’s environmental vulnerabilities, locals remain devoted to the area’s natural beauty and enjoy engaging in outdoor activities that abound during warm weather. A perennially popular summer destination, the area attracts several million visitors each year, including a growing number of surfers. With the long-term health of the community in mind, Rockaway residents, civic leaders, and artists are working toward addressing long-term resilience in transportation, climate-resiliency, civic space, and cultural access.

1 New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). 2017.Resilient Edgemere Community Plan.

2 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY NEIGHBORHOOD SNAPSHOT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SOURCE: LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/ ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY GRADUATE SOME COLLEGE OR HIGHER DEMOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTS 2014–2016, US CENSUS BUREAU 26.7% 43% 30.4% TOTAL POPULATION INCOME 19.3% 42.1% 38.6%

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEW YORK CITY 19.2% 28.2% 42.6% 93,267 2,310,011 8,461,961 MEDIAN INCOME 41,822 HOUSEHOLDS AGE $59,758 $55,191 MEDIAN AGE 29,736 HOUSEHOLDS IN FAR ROCKAWAY 41.9% 51.8%

QUEENS FAR ROCKAWAY NEW YORK UNDER $75,000 32.1% 33.8% CITY $15,000 21.9% TO 9.9% 46.2% 11% 30.1% 36.7% 37.9 $99,999 ARE RENT BURDENED OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN NYCHA 33.3 35.9 11.4% 13.1% (PAY 30% OR MORE OF HOUSING, ACCOUNTING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH RESIDENTS 65 AND OVER 16.2% 10.9% INCOME IN RENT) 14% OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS WITH A DISABIITY

UNDER 5 25 TO 44 $15,000 $100,000 YEARS 9.7% YEARS 24.9% TO 21.9% TO 10.7% LANGUAGE RACE/ETHNICITY $34,999 $149,999 6.3% 30.6% 18.8% 15.1% FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEW YORK CITY 6.6% 31.6% 18.9% 13.1%

$35,000 $150,000 TO 13.6% TO 3.7% 5 TO 14 45 TO 64 $49,999 $199,999 YEARS 15.5% YEARS 24.0% 12.3% 6.6% 10.9% 26.5% 11.1% 6.1% 11.3% 24.6% $50,000 $200,000+ TO 15.7% 2.6% $74,999 36.4% 17.9% 4.9% OF RESIDENTS SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER % % % 15 TO 24 65+ THAN ENGLISH AT HOME. Two or More Races 1.6 Two or More Races 2.2 Two or More Races 1.8 YEARS 13.7% YEARS 12.1% 15.3% 8.3% Some Other Race 0.7 Some Other Race 2.0 Some Other Race 0.9

12.2% 13.7% Native Hawaiian and Other 0.1 Native Hawaiian and Other 0 Native Hawaiian and Other 0 24% OF RESIDENTS 65 AND OVER Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone 16.3% Asian Alone 4.3 Asian Alone 24.6 Asian Alone 13.6 13.0% 13.0% LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, OF ALL RESIDENTS American Indian and American Indian and American Indian and AS COMPARED TO 13.9% IN QUEENS 24% SPEAK ENGLISH LESS Alaska Native Alone 0.1 Alaska Native Alone 0.2 Alaska Native Alone 0.2 AND 18.7% IN NEW YORK CITY THAN “VERY WELL.” Black or African American Black or African American Black or African American Alone 44.2 Alone 17.3 Alone 22.2 18.7% White Alone 22.0 White Alone 25.6 White Alone 32.3 OF FAR ROCKAWAY RESIDENTS 13.9% 29.5% ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 Hispanic or Latino 26.9 Hispanic or Latino 28.0 Hispanic or Latino 29.0 SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 2011–2015, US CENSUS BUREAU. NYC Population FactFinder https://popfactfinder.planning.nyc.gov/#12.25/40.724/-73.9868, retrieved June 7, 2018

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 3 NEIGHBORHOOD SNAPSHOT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SOURCE: LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE ASSOCIATES DEGREE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY GRADUATE SOE COLLEGE OR HIGHER DEMOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTS 2014–2016, US CENSUS BUREAU 26.7% 43% 30.4% 19.3% 42.1% 38.6% 19.2% 28.2% 42.6%

HOUSEHOLDS 29,736 HOUSEHOLDS IN FAR ROCKAWAY 41.9% 51.8% 46.2% 11% 32.1% 33.8% ARE RENT BURDENED OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN NYCHA 30.1% 36.7% AY OR ORE OF HOUSING ACCOUNTING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH RESIDENTS AND OVER INCOE IN RENT OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS CHILDREN UNDER YEARS WITH A DISABIITY

LANGUAGE RACE/ETHNICITY

36.4% OF RESIDENTS SEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER % % % THAN ENGLISH AT HOE Two or More Races Two or More Races Two or More Races Some Other Race Some Other Race Some Other Race Native Hawaiian and Other Native Hawaiian and Other Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone 16.3% Asian Alone Asian Alone Asian Alone OF ALL RESIDENTS American Indian and American Indian and American Indian and SEAK ENGLISH LESS Alaska Native Alone Alaska Native Alone Alaska Native Alone Black or African American Black or African American Black or African American THAN VERY WELL Alone Alone Alone White Alone White Alone White Alone

Hispanic or Latino Hispanic or Latino Hispanic or Latino

NYC Population FactFinder https://popfactfinder.planning.nyc.gov/#12.25/40.724/-73.9868, retrieved June 7, 2018

4 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY KEY FINDINGS Forces and Trends The eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula— particularly the neighborhoods of Far Rockaway, Edgemere, and Arverne—is currently the subject of a growing number of planning initiatives and community investments. The NYC Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Downtown Far Rockaway Neighborhood Development Project aims to completely rethink the future of the downtown area to bring more housing and density to the area while substantially improving the public realm. NYC Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD)Resilient Edgemere Planning Initiative aims to plan for the future of the area’s communities and coastline in the face of sea level rise. NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT)Access to Opportunity: Transportation and Housing Study in the Eastern Rockaways aims to improve multimodal transportation in the area. These various initiatives are much needed after decades of institutional disinvestment and neglect. In light of these plans and investments, supporting and building the existing arts and cultural infrastructure of the eastern end is not just a strategy to preserve the integrity of the community, but vital to the health, safety, and educational outcomes of local residents.

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 5 Strengths ¡¡A diverse range of artists, dancers, musicians, and filmmakers come from many different backgrounds, ethnic, and religious affiliations. Residents come from West Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe. ¡¡An abundance of underutilized privately- and publically-owned outdoor spaces. ¡¡The area is surrounded by ecologically rich and scenic landscapes including Jamaica Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and their shorelines. ¡¡A close-knit and passionate community with “Fort Tilden might as well as a strong history of volunteerism and sweat- be Florida. We need cultural equity, including the recent Sandy recovery spaces and programs on efforts and the volunteer-run Far Rockaway the east end. Arverne Nonprofit Coalition. ” – Business Owner ¡¡Art played an important role in healing the community after Superstorm Sandy. ¡¡Engaged local politicians are committed to growing the capacity of the community’s arts and culture. ¡¡Real estate developers working in the neighborhood have a track record of supporting local organizations and a willingness to provide community benefits in incoming developments. ¡¡Millions of visitors flock to the area during the warm season every year.

6 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY Challenges ¡¡Improved cultural access requires more opportunities to address financial, physical, marketing, and geographic barriers. ¡¡Arts and cultural programming flourishes in the summer, but wanes in the winter. ¡¡There is a lack of ongoing programs SPOTLIGHT ON (although there are many one-offs) and few EXPO 1: NEW YORK central and inclusive community-accessible VW DOME 2, ROCKAWAY BEACH arts and cultural spaces. MARCH – JUNE 30, 2013 ¡¡Rockaway schools are under-resourced Superstorm Sandy in and there is limited capacity in existing October 2012 underlined after-school programs. the importance of social ¡¡Local artists and cultural organizations have connectivity for resilience. low capacity in staff, funding, and marketing. As the community recovered, MoMA PS1 constructed a temporary geodesic dome in collaboration with Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, Rockaway Artists Alliance, and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, to serve as a center for culture, education, and community. The flexible space, located at Beach 94th Street and the boardwalk, was a

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 7 venue for lectures and ¡¡ Artists have few resources in place and conversations, rotating art experience difficulty finding local economic exhibitions, film and video and exhibition opportunities. screenings, performances, ¡¡Community members do not know where to youth programming, and find information about local arts activities. community events that ¡¡Lack of programming for youth that targets helped reimagine the future their needs and interests. of a resilient Rockaway. ¡¡There are difficulties in bringing together The Dome included a café, populations from the peninsula’s east security, and a designated and west ends due to existing community coordinator who worked divisions along socio-economic, racial, and with community members political lines. to schedule the space. ¡¡Many existing arts programs are not easily Ongoing maintenance accessible to local families. For example, and management was a Rockaway Artists Alliance’s popular sTudio 6 challenge, but the Dome and 7 Galleries, and the Rockaway Theatre was a vivid example of the Company are on average a 5–10 mile power and potential for local distance from the study area. community space. Currently, local spaces like Dred Surfer, ¡¡Negative perceptions of Far Rockaway as an Rockaway Brewing Co., the unsafe place persist, deterring visitors and Queens Libraries, and NYC contributing to local isolation. Parks’ Open Air Auditorium at O’Donohue Park play a similar role in providing space for community- initiated programs.

8 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY Opportunities ¡¡Build awareness and increase local engagement in local arts activity by mapping and marketing existing arts and cultural assets. ¡¡Create processes for arts and culture to activate underutilized spaces in a way that connects the local communities. ¡¡Establish public spaces as vital places for creative expression and community building and connection. ¡¡Consistently engage the existing local talent in Rockaway and strengthen the cultural community’s ability to identify cultural resources, preserve a sense of cultural heritage, and forge cross-sector relationships. ¡¡Capitalize on incoming development to build out the soft and hard infrastructure for existing arts and culture. ¡¡Explore strategies and resources to bring diverse and accessible arts and culture activity to the broader community. ¡¡Encourage community members and businesses to support arts and culture through the City’s Participatory Budgeting and other processes.

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 9 ¡¡Support the many artistically and creatively talented residents and young people through arenas to showcase their work. ¡¡Engage community members who are interested in experiencing arts and cultural activities closer to home. ¡¡Advance arts and culture’s ability to attract more of the Rockaways’ millions of visitors to the east end. ¡¡Increase art’s role in developing social cohesion, civic engagement, and knowledge of community history.

10 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY “ Families have been here for generations. But as we grow more diverse, arts and culture are paramount. They allow people to share in culture, in commonality, and to harmonize the community.” – Local Elected Official

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 11 INSIGHTS The following central themes emerged through conversations with community stakeholders during town halls, focus groups, and “ There is a lot of individual interviews: separation between communities; we need ways to connect Community Connection through the Arts communities, neighbor to ¡¡More inclusive arts spaces would bring neighbor, neighborhood together disparate communities for shared to neighborhood.” cultural experiences. – Faith Based Leader ¡¡When the community is culturally1 active, it is healthier and more resilient; the arts help bridge divisions, serve as a driver for local business, and play an important role in healing, as it did during Sandy. ¡¡An action-oriented coalition of cultural stakeholders could: • engage and connect the community in forthcoming local development. • help build community awareness about local arts and cultural activities throughout the peninsula.

12 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY Power of Art in the Public Realm ¡¡Activating underutilized public space with arts and cultural programming is an effective way to: • Bring together artists and community “ The boardwalk is one of members for dynamic experiences. those communal spaces • Make isolated areas feel safer and that everyone can be a more attractive. part of and that everyone • Attract visitors for unique adventures. utilizes, it’s an amazing • Shape a positive narrative for the area. universal space, especially 2 for art programming like the Rockaway Times Photography Exhibit.” – Artist

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 13 “ We have a long way to go, but Value of Diversity the future looks bright. The ¡¡The community values arts and culture more people are engaged in programming that represents the the process the better, we neighborhood’s diversity. need to hear the voice of ¡¡Arts and culture is a valuable asset that the community. We got the enhances the quality of3 life for individuals, families, and the community alike. ball rolling, and we need ¡¡Diverse local voices are critical to creating to get DCLA to focus on effective community development Far Rockaway.” efforts and preserving Far Rockaway’s – Local Elected Official cultural heritage.

Art and Youth ¡¡Provide more opportunities for youth and children to participate in arts education (in-school, after- 4school, summertime) by identifying local resources and advocating for increased public support. ¡¡Support pathways for youth to careers in the creative sector.

14 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY “ You would never know what Local Cultural Ecology was in Far Rockaway until you ¡¡Bring together the cultural asked.” community as strong partners in – Town Hall Attendee the incoming development. ¡¡Help cultural providers and creative sector businesses maintain their vital local presence. ¡¡Identify community partners who can provide year-round space for the cultural community to create, exhibit, and perform. 5

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ay 8 aw 21 81 ock wy 26 19 Holland Ave 4 6 R k t t P 113 h 76 Fron 39 106 ore y B Sh w e 42 Channel Dr F 34 ac ch B ay 15 11 a e aw h 49 Be a k 20 oc 77 9 lvd c R B h 6 h th y 73 c 10 w Bea 40 101 nt Pk way 12 2 Fro ka nd e Roc 102 Shor 8 55 29 34 These spaces were identiﬁed through conversations 2 Ocean Prom with stakeholders and community members, and is 37 not an exhaustive list of local assets.

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 17 Blvd ach y Be kawa Roc LEGEND

CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS 11 Rockaway Artists Alliance 1 Arts in Parts 12 Rockaway Theatre Company 2 Beach Sessions Dance Series Rockaway Village Public Art 13 3 Beach64retreat (Artist Residency) Commission Beachside Bungalow Preservation Rockaway Initiative for 4 14 Association Sustainability & Equity 5 Beach 59th Street Playground 15 Rustwoods 6 Elaine’s School of Dance Science and Resilience Institute 16 Far Rockaway Cultural at Jamaica Bay 7 Performance Arts 17 Stan’s Pepper Steppers Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks 18 sTudio 6 Gallery, Fort Tilden 8 Conservancy The Black Surfing Association 19 9 Luke Glanton Gallery of Rockaway 10 Ready Rockaway 20 The Castle

PUBLIC ART 21 Beach Channel High School The Family, Costantino Nivola, sculpture Untitled, Jordan Steckel, sculpture Untitled, Jordan Steckel, sculpture Untitled, Eduardo Ramirez, sculpture 22 Belle Harbor Memorial Circle Best on the Beach, Jane Greengold, 23 sculpture (Far Rockaway Fire/EMS Station) 24 Birds of Paradise, Ruth Hofheimer, mural 25 Community Mural

18 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY LEGEND

26 Eat, Robert Proper, sculpture First on the Beach and Wednesday 27 Edgemere War Memorial Night Fireworks, KK Kozik (Rockaway 28 Farewell, Scott Khan, mural Park / Beach 116th Street) Flight 587 Memorial, Freddy Ocean Fence and Ocean Floor, Julie 29 Rodriguez, sculpture 35 Dermansky, sculpture (Beach Channel 31 History of the Rockaways, mural Drive Day Care Center) 32 Monarch Landscape, Esther Grillo, mural 36 PS43 Murals Monument to Culluloo Telewana, Gatehouse to Knowledge, Willie Cole, 33 Last of the Rockaways mural (PS43) MTA Arts & Design Murals The Flying Imagination, Alfredo Ciebal, 34 (A Train Stations) mural (PS43) Respite, Jason Rohlf (Far Rockaway/ Rockaway Mosaic, Ann Evans & Mary 37 Mott Avenue) Nell Hawke, mural Past/Present/Future, Mauricio Lopez Rockaway Petroglyph, Kevin Sudeith, 38 (Beach 25th Street) sculpture Symphonic Convergence 1&2, George Rockaway Veterans Memorial, 39 Bates (Beach 36th Street) Joseph P. Pollia, sculpture Coom Barooom, Jill Parisi Rockaway Veterans Memorial (Beach 44th Street) Tree Markers The Beaches of New York City, Simon Rockaway Women Veterans Levenson (Beach 60th Street) Monument, Eileen Barry, sculpture On and Off the Boardwalk, Ingo Fast 40 Surfs Up, Esther Grillo, mural (Beach 67th Street) The Big Wave-Not a Superhero - In Surf Station 90, Michael Miller 41 the Ocean of Language, Luca Buvoli, (Beach 90th Street) sculpture (PS253) Be Good or Be Gone, Duke Riley 42 The Deep, Esther Grillo, mural (Beach 98 Street) We Rose Above the Challenge, Misha 43 Vast, Callie Hirsch (Beach 105th Street) Tyutyunik, mural

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 19 LEGEND

PARKS AND GARDENS 65 Rockaway Community Park 44 Arverne East Dune Preserve 66 Rockaway Youth Task Force Garden 45 Bandshell at Beach 17th Street 67 Seagirt Boulevard Community Garden 46 Bayswater Point State Park Seagirt Wetland Protected 68 47 Beach 20th Street Pedestrian Plaza Wetland Area 48 Beach 88th Street Park 69 Skate Park at Beach 9th Street 49 Beach 91 Community Garden 70 Surfing Beaches 50 Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary 71 Thursby Basin Park 51 Culinary Kids Garden 72 Vernam Barbadoes Park 52 Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary 53 Edgemere Farm Edgemere Landfill - “Edgemere 54 Community Park” 55 Fort Tilden / Gateway National Park 56 Freeway Dog Park Gateway National Recreation Area – 57 Jamaica Bay 58 Greenthumb Community Garden Healing Garden by Coalition 59 Against Hunger 60 Jamaica Bay Park 61 Michaelis Bayswater Park NYCHA Beach 41st St. Community 62 Garden 63 O’Donohue Park 64 Rockaway Beach Boardwalk

20 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY LEGEND

MEDIA COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTERS Rockaway Beach Broadcasting Arverne Church of God 73 84 Company NY Rising Community Center 74 The Wave Beach 41st Street Community 85 75 The Rockaway Advocate Center (NYCHA) 76 The Rockaway Times Catholic Charities 86 Seaside Neighborhood Senior Center SMALL BUSINESSES Community Center of the Rockaway 87 Hipsterville in the Beach 90th Peninsula, Inc. 77 (Umas, 109, 98th Street) 88 Hammels Community Center (NYCHA) 78 Local Landscape Architecture Jewish Association Serving the 89 79 Marina 59 Aging (JASA) 80 Seaview Marina Jewish Association Serving the 90 81 Sunlites Stained Glass Aging (JASA) 82 TheSMALL Crate BUSINESSES 91 Ocean Bay Community Center (NYCHA) 83 Zingara Vintage

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 21 LEGEND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND ENGAGEMENT 92 Redfern Community Center (NYCHA) RESTAURANTS/FOOD MARKETS NEIGHBORHOOD 93 Rockaway Summer House 108 DredSurfer

94 Rockaway YMCA 109 Goody’s BBQ Chicken & Ribs The data below comes from 411 completed surveys both HOW DO YOU RELATE TO OUR 95 Sorrentino Recreational Center 110 Rockaway Brewery Co. online and in print (made available in English, Spanish, and NEIGHBORHOOD? Russian.) In person contributors included attendees at local 96 Young Israel Program Inc. 111 Rockaway Beach Surf Club events, gatherings, town halls, and focus groups. 112 Thai Rock The Insights on pages 8–9 come from seventy local residents, stakeholders, youth, and arts and cultural Employee HISTORIC SITES 113 Uma’s producers who participated in two town halls held at RISE and at the Queens Library for Teens in Far Rockaway. 97 Cornell Burial Ground Thirty local community members participated in four 98 Far Rockaway Police Precinct SOCIAL SERVICES focus groups targeting artists, business owners and entrepreneurs, residents (in collaboration with Ocean 99 Far Rockaway Post Office Ocean Bay Community Development Bay CDC’s Women of Empowerment Group that met 114 Firehouse, Engine Companies 264 & Corporation at NYCHA Redfern), and the faith-based community. Resident 67% 100 Additionally, 12 diverse cross-sector stakeholders granted Student 25% 328 / Ladder Company 134 Rockaway Development and in-depth individual interviews. 115 Employee 12% Jacob Riis Bathhouse / Naval Air Revitalization Corporation Visitor 6% 101 Other 6% Station (NAS) 116 Rockaway Youth Task Force 102 Strand Theatre 117 St. John’s Episcopal Hospital 103 Women’s Industrial Service League Jewish Community Council of the COMMUNICATION 118 Rockaway Peninsula HOW DO YOU HEAR ABOUT CULTURAL EVENTS IN FAR ROCKAWAY? LIBRARIES Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs 46% 104 Queens Library, Arverne Word of Mouth, Friends, Family 46% 105 Queens Library, Far Rockaway Local Newspapers or Magazines 26% 106 Queens Library, Peninsula Library 24% Queens Library, Queens Library Community Centers 17% 107 for Teens Children’s School 14% Websites 14%

Direct E-mail 14%

Place of Worship 12%

Direct Mail 6%

Radio or TV 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

22 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND ENGAGEMENT

NEIGHBORHOOD

The data below comes from 411 co mpleted surveys both HOW DO YOU RELATE TO OUR online and in print (made available in English, Spanish, and NEIGHBORHOOD? Russian.) In person contributors inclu ded attendees at local events, gatherings, town halls, and focus groups. The Insights on pages 8–9 come from seventy local residents, stakeholders, youth, and arts and cultural Employee producers who participated in two town halls held at RISE and at the Queens Library for Teens in Far Rockaway. Thirty local community members participated in four focus groups targeting artists, business owners and entrepreneurs, residents (in collaboration with Ocean Bay CDC’s Women of Empowerment Group that met at NYCHA Redfern), and the faith-based community. Resident 67% Additionally, 12 diverse cross-sector stakeholders granted Student 25% in-depth individual interviews. Employee 12% Visitor 6% Other 6%

COMMUNICATION

HOW DO YOU HEAR ABOUT CULTURAL EVENTS IN FAR ROCKAWAY?

Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs 46% Word of Mouth, Friends, Family 46% Local Newspapers or Magazines 26% Library 24% Community Centers 17% Children’s School 14%

Websites 14%

Direct E-mail 14%

Place of Worship 12%

Direct Mail 6%

Radio or TV 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 23 CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ARTS AND CULTURAL PARTICIPATION IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAVE YOU… (check all that apply.) 57% AND ENGAGEMENT Visited arts and cultural organizations? 68% 36% Watched live performances? 59%

31% Done something creative? 31%

Participated in neighborhood activities? 54% 40% Here Elsewhere

WHERE HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ARTS AND CULTURE? (check all that apply.)

Outdoors (streets, parks, etc.) 60% Library 43% Place of worship (Church, temple, mosque, etc.) 33% An elementary, middle or high school 32% Community center 27% At home 22% Informal venue (coffee, shop, small business, etc.) 22% Formal cultural venue (museum, theater, etc.) 8% Senior center 7% A college or university 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PREVENT YOU FROM PARTICIPATING IN ARTS AND CULTURE IN FAR ROCKAWAY? (check all that apply.)

I don’t hear about events at all or until it’s too late 59% I don’t have time 56% Too early/late, conflicts with other things I need to do 52% I don’t have anyone to go with 38% Too far or too difficult to get there from home, work or public transit 37% It’s difficult to plan far enough in advance 36% I feel out of place/uncomfortable/unaccepted 30% Not appropriate for families/youth/seniors or not representative of my culture 26% Too expensive 25% No access for accommodations for people with disabilities 22% I don’t have extra help for people I take care of 20% No offerings in my language 17%

24 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ARTS AND CULTURAL PARTICIPATION CCUULLTTUURRAAL LL LAANNDDSSCCAAPPEE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAVE YOU… (check all that apply.) 57% AND ENGAGEMENT Visited arts and cultural organizations? AANNDD EENNGGAAGGEEMMEENNTTSOURCE US CENSUS 68% 36% Watched live performances? COMMUNITY ISSUES 59%

31% PLEASE MARK THE 5 FAR ROCKAWAY COMMUNITY ISSUES THAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU. Done something creative? 31%

Participated in neighborhood activities? 54% Safety (Issues and concerns related to safety and crime) 52% 40% Education Here Elsewhere (Quality of schools and school-based education programs) 48%

WHERE HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ARTS AND CULTURE? (check all that apply.) Youth engagement (Afterschool activity and training opportunities for local youth) 47% Outdoors (streets, parks, etc.) 60% Quality of life and community connection Library 43% (Improving quality of life for our residents, including 46% our belief in a positive future and sense of belonging) Place of worship (Church, temple, mosque, etc.) 33% Police and community interactions An elementary, middle or high school 32% (The nature of communication and 46% connection with law enforcement) Community center 27% At home 22% Informal venue (coffee, shop, small business, etc.) 22% KEY FAMILY ISSUES Formal cultural venue (museum, theater, etc.) 8% Senior center 7% 99% 83% 99% A college or university 4% EDUCATION YOUTH SAFETY 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% ENGAGEMENT DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PREVENT YOU FROM PARTICIPATING IN ARTS AND CULTURE IN FAR ROCKAWAY? (check all that apply.)

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 25 CULTURAL LANDSCAPE WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT FAR ROCKAWAY?

AND ENGAGEMENTSOURCE US CENSUS

NY Arverne

26 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT FAR ROCKAWAY? ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Create Far Rock is a community-wide initiative to envision the future of the arts AND ENGAGEMENTSOURCE US CENSUS on the eastern end of the Rockaways. Residents and stakeholders gave voice at town halls, focus groups, interviews, and surveys to help identify cultural assets and ways to grow the capacity of art and culture in the community. Over four

months residents took part in the process to ensure that arts and culture have a solid foundation in a vibrant, equitable, and diverse eastern end, especially in the

face of recent city initiatives. Their input will help formulate investments in the local arts and cultural sector over the next two years. The initiative launched on March 9, 2018 at the Rockaway Institute for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) with an Art Slam. It brought together and showcased a diverse program of artists, creators, performers, musicians, vocalists, designers, filmmakers, writers, and others.

Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) inspires all NY generations of Rockaway residents to care for their environment and community. We provide civic engagement and youth development programs that advance social equity and the physical well-being of our vibrant urban coastal community. Key project staff: Ana Fisyak, Jeanne DuPont, and Judah Asimov. Arverne

Rockaway Artist Alliance (RAA) is a nonprofit arts organization incorporated in 1995. RAA’s mission is to encourage and engage community residents, particularly youth and seniors, in the arts and cultural activities. Key project staff: James Dalid and Regina Moerdyk

FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 27 The Far Rockaway Arverne Nonprofit Coalition (FRANC) is an alliance made up of two dozen nonprofit organizations. The goal of the coalition is to improve the lives of young people by strengthening Rockaway’s nonprofit network. Key project staff: Denean Ferguson, Brandon Jeffries, Helen Montero, and Ebony Littlejohn-Beaty.

Data analysis and research support provided by Webb Management Services (WMS). WMS is a research and planning practice dedicated to advancing the arts and culture. Founded in 1997, the firm supports preservation, development, and delivery within the arts and cultural sector with sound planning, research and consulting services that lead to cultural and community development. Webb Management Services has worked on more than 400 projects for governments, arts organizations, educational institutions, and other related entities across North America.

Photo credits Page 1: Library of Congress • Page 4: (top) Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2013; (bottom) Joshua Simpson, 2018 • Page 5: Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2013 • Page 6: (top) Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2017; (bottom) Giles Ashford, 2018 • Page 8: (top) Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2014; (bottom) Giles Ashford, 2015 • Page 9: (top) Joshua Simpson, 2018; (bottom) Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2017 • Page 12: Ana Fisyak, 2017 • Page 13: Joshua Simpson, 2018 • Page 16: Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2019 • Page 19: (top) Felicia Saucedo, 2018; (bottom left) Brandon Rios, 2016; (bottom right) Giles Ashford, 2016 • Page 20: (top) Giles Ashford, 2016; (bottom) Branden Rios, 2015 • Inside back cover: (top left) Giles Ashford, 2018; (top right) Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, 2016; (bottom) Giles Ashford, 2017

28 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 29 30 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public- oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information visitwww.nyc.gov/culture . Building Community Capacity is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.