Institutions
Jackson Heights is a neighborhood located in North Western Queens, bounded by Astoria Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue. Only a short commute to Manhattan, the area is home to many residents who commute into the city using the neighborhood’s convenient subway stop, which happens to be the largest in all of Queens with both six subway and six bus lines. Jackson Heights is a very historic neighborhood; much of it is part of the National Register Historic District. As a result, the community is home to many parks both private and public. The area is one of the most diverse in the country, and this is reflected in the wide array of religious institutions, markets, eateries, and retailers available to residents (6). Approximately half of Jackson Heights has been designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee (1). The historic area is mainly comprised of garden apartments, a golf course, and private parks. Travers Park is the area’s main playground, and offers basketball courts, a spray shower, roller hockey area, picnic benches and jungle gyms for children (2). The park was refurbished in 1995, when much of the equipment was replaced and public access to the schoolyard was later removed (1). It hosts a greenmarket each Sunday morning, where produce is sold by food vendors to local residents and those who commute to the gatherings, and outdoor concerts for families (6).
Easy Access to Manhattan
The diversity of Jackson Heights is evident in the wide array of religious institutions found throughout the area. Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, the Community United Methodist Church, the Jackson Heights Jewish Center, the Jackson Heights Church of Christ and the Jackson Heights Islamic Center are just a few of the worship houses in the neighborhood (3). The diversity in the immigrant groups that comprise Jackson Heights is also reflected in the numerous English Classes and “Learn English” institutions. Religious places such as the Community United Methodist Church and other businesses like The New York Language Center offer a wide variety of courses in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean (6).
A Methodist Church in the Neighborhood
In an area so diverse in culture and ethnicity, it is no surprise that food stops and eateries make up a great number of the storefronts. There are hundreds of establishments offering Asian, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisine. One of the destinations frequented by tourists and locals alike is The Jackson Diner- known for it’s flavorful North Indian dishes and affordable prices (5). Food emporiums can also be found, such as the Patel Brothers store where one can find 40-pound sacks of basmati rice (6).
When searching for a neighborhood to raise a family, schools are an obvious concern. Jackson Heights boasts more schools within walking distance than any other area in the United States. Private, public, and parochial schools have high graduation rates and attract students from the neighborhood and beyond (6). The options for entertainment also abound, with landmark sites such as the Palace Theatre on 37th Road offering exclusive Bollywood showings and Hindi films.
Jackson Heights is an area alive with diversity and teeming with culture. The religious, education, and recreational institutions it has to offer, combined with its convenient location and close proximity to Manhattan, make it an ideal place to live and work.
Local Jackson Heights Eatery, La Abundancia
