The permanent establishment of the 34th Avenue Open Street in Queens has become a point of concern and improvement for many of its senior residents. According to a report from the local senior services organization Selfhelp, shared by Gothamist, seniors have conducted "walk audits" to assess the street's functionality and identify several issues, including confusing signage, lack of trash bins, and insufficient seating. Transport officials have been hard at work, having achieved a 60% reduction in pedestrian-involved crashes, but admit there is space to further refine the street's design.
With considerable backing from Selfhelp’s Northridge/Brulene/Southridge NORC and funding from an AARP Community Challenge Grant, the walk audits have played a crucial role in giving seniors a chance to vocalize their experiences. As the Department of Transportation (DOT) initiates the development of this corridor, feedback collated from various community workshops appears to be a bedrock in the project’s scope. Yet, a need to consistently evaluate the street's layout emerges, developing a case for simplification and uniformity along its 1.3-mile stretch. Seniors specifically pointed out the inconsistent bike lanes, which appear to shift from block to block, sometimes marked with green paint and other times not.
Data from QNS reveals that several seniors are pushing for increased enforcement of traffic rules, particularly regarding motorized bikes. The issues extend beyond mere inconvenience, illustrating potential dangers as mopeds and e-scooters frequently exceed speed limits, despite signage forbidding their presence on the corridor. This sentiment of negligence extends toward the NYPD, with claims of inadequate enforcement on the Open Street, although NYPD has yet to respond.
While specific improvements have been suggested, such as more trash bins and seating, repair of roadways, and better landscaping, community members have also taken this opportunity to bridge connections with one another. The audits fostered a communal spirit, underscoring the importance of user input in shaping shared spaces. Amidst these discussions, concerns have also been raised about parking spaces, putting forth a call for officials to provide a municipal parking lot—an acknowledgement of the needs of those who both walk and drive within the area. "I really appreciate their feedback. I’m dedicated to listening to the community and finding ways to keep improving our beloved open street, which is always a work in progress," Council Member Shekar Krishnan told QNS in response to suggestions made by local seniors.
