Promenade Along Flushing Creek Opens To Public

FLUSHING, QUEENS — A public path running along Flushing Creek had its grand opening Thursday, marking the first time in decades that New Yorkers will be able to access the waterfront area.

The new esplanade, which took nearly 18 months to build, is part of the Department of City Planning's larger ecological restoration plan for Flushing Bay and the smaller creek that flows from it.

"For too long, our community has been completely cut off from the Flushing Creek," City Council Member Peter Koo said in a statement.

"With the opening of this public waterfront esplanade, we are getting a glimpse of what the waterfront of the Flushing Creek from 40th Road to Northern Boulevard will look like in the future," he added.

Flushing Creek access at SkyView is open! We hope this privately owned public space next to a massive sewer outfall serves as both a critical green infrastructure asset and a truly accessible community resource. Let's make it happen @CMPeterKoo and @LiuNewYork! pic.twitter.com/WKv5rVGUwH
— Guardians of Flushing Bay (@FlushingBay) September 19, 2019

The promenade runs behind Flushing's Skyview Center, which will collaborate with environmental groups, gardening clubs and schools to use the new space for recreational and educational programs, according to a press release.

"People kayak and swim in the Hudson River off Manhattan; no reason why we can’t do the same in the Flushing River, someday soon," State Sen. John Liu said in a statement.