NEW YORK
FACT EXCHANGE

Queens · Neighborhood guide

Jackson Heights

For a Jackson Heights visit, 34th Avenue offers public space beside the neighborhood's designated historic district. Start with the Open Street, Travers Park and the plaza blocks. Keep the broader neighborhood, the historic district and the street project distinct.

Open map
A curved path beside the lawn at Travers Park, with benches, trees and visitors.
Deans Charbal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and converted to WebP.
Travers Park

Understanding Jackson Heights

Before development, the area was known as Trains Meadow. In 1909 the Queensboro Corporation purchased land and named Jackson Heights after local businessman John C. Jackson. The 7 train opened in 1917 and made the new housing more reachable.

The 34th Avenue Open Street began in 2020. It followed earlier experiments around 78th Street and Travers Park.

Places to explore

  • 34th Avenue Open Street

    69th Street toward Junction Boulevard

    Use the public-space corridor for a neighborhood stroll. Follow current street signs and crossings. The DOT describes a future permanent project between 69th and 96th streets; the final design is not a completed feature.

  • Travers Park and 78th Street

    Beside 34th Avenue

    The rebuilt park includes a lawn, flowering trees, play equipment and a performance area with stadium seating. Its expanded 78th Street plaza connects 77th and 79th streets. It is a public park, unlike residential garden courts.

  • 82nd and 83rd Street plaza blocks

    34th Avenue

    Look at how plaza space and curbside bike lanes change the street layout. The DOT records new plaza blocks here in 2024. Follow the marked division between pedestrian and cycling space.

Planning a visit

Choose a block along 34th Avenue, then check current transit to that part of the corridor.

Use public streets and keep residential courtyards private. Check current crossings and construction conditions along your chosen part of 34th Avenue.

Sources and visitor information