Astoria resident John Surico, longtime public space expert, writer and organizer, was named the new executive director of Friends of the QueensWay, a grassroots effort to transform the long-abandoned portion of the LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch into a 3.5-mile linear park in Central Queens.

For over a decade, Surico, who regularly advises on public realm policy, has worked to innovate public spaces, bringing his policy knowledge and on-the-ground experience to the position. His past research has sparked meaningful change, including a historic infusion of $43 million in operations funding for the city’s parks system. 

Surico has reported for major publications like the New York Times, New York Magazine and Bloomberg, highlighting solutions to challenges facing cities everywhere. 

Surico is the first to hold this role at the Friends of the QueensWay, which was formed by neighbors in 2011 to bolster community support for the project.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Friends of the QueensWay at this pivotal juncture for one of the city’s most innovative new public space projects — especially one that lands in my home borough,” Surico said. “I’ve cheered on this project from the sidelines since it was first imagined by neighbors, and have deeply admired the passion and determination by the board to make it a reality. Now let’s get started.”

Part of the LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch that has been abandoned. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay
Another part of the abandoned railway. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay
Graffiti on the side of a building near the Rockaway Beach railway. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay

Since 2022, he has chaired the 31st Ave. Open Street Collective, helping to build an all-volunteer organization into a nonprofit with over 100 members that delivers a premium pop-up public space every weekend in Astoria from April to December. He was recently appointed to the board of the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park by the Mamdani administration for his work advocating for public space in Queens.

Surico said he is excited to work with the board, stakeholders and, most importantly, the neighboring communities to help shape the vision and potential of QueensWay as the next premier public space for the World’s Borough. 

He said he also looks forward to strengthening the organization’s capacity as Phase 1 of the project — the $49 million Metropolitan Hub, led by NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) — breaks ground this fall. By working closely with neighbors, businesses, schools and other local partners, he said he will ensure the project’s successful implementation.

Last, Surico said he plans to leverage his citywide network to explore ways in which QueensWay can be linked to and supported by other efforts unfolding across the five boroughs. He is eager to build upon the immense work done by the Friends of the QueensWay and Trust for the Public Land, he continued, to introduce more people to the project and plan for future phases.

A number of elected officials weighed in to congratulate and support Surico’s appointment and the progress being made on the QueensWay.

“The announcement of an executive director for the QueensWay project marks a significant step forward in making this project a reality for our district and all Queens residents,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “I’m thrilled to see the progress of the QueensWay and I look forward to breaking ground soon on a park that will improve our health and quality of life for generations to come.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said Surico is one of his office’s most valued partners in the fields of open space, safe streets and more.

“With his immense experience in public policy and urban planning and his strengths as an advocate and community organizer, I know he will make a fantastic executive director at Friends of the QueensWay,” Richards said. “I look forward to working closely with John to achieve the important goal of developing the much-needed QueensWay linear park and cultural greenway in Central Queens.”

Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi congratulated Surico, noting that his bold leadership and ideas will bring transformation to the community. 

For years, he said, advocates and organizers have worked alongside community leaders to raise capital funds and build momentum behind the effort to reclaim abandoned infrastructure and space within Queens and return it to the people. With Surico in charge, he continued, he believes the project will finally come to fruition.

“John’s public policy background, prior successes while working alongside NYC Parks, and his deep commitment to his hometown make him the perfect candidate to take on this challenge,” Hevesi said. “His leadership will strengthen Friends of the QueensWay as they enter a critical phase of bringing this dream to reality.”

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng also said she believes Surico’s appointment will bring crucial expertise to the role, which she is happy to see.

“I am pleased that Friends of the QueensWay has hired its very first Executive Director and I congratulate John Surico for being appointed to this crucial position,” Meng said. “He has a long track record working on parks and public space issues including here in Queens, and I wish him all the best in his new and exciting role. I look forward to working with him and continuing to help move QueensWay forward.”

Renderings of QueenWay’s plans to turn the abandoned railway into public space. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay
More renderings of the plans to create a small courtyard. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay
More renderings of the plans to turn part of the area into a pedestrian walkway and bike lane. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the QueensWay

Civic leaders echoed elected officials’ support for Surico’s appointment and emphasized how important it is for the Queens community as a whole. Between local businesses, public land, schools, cultural institutions, community organizations and transportation, they are confident Surico will champion all parts of the Queens community.

“This is a special milestone for our organization and the culmination of more than a decade of extraordinary work by our volunteers, elected and government partners, civic and business leaders and, most importantly, the communities along the QueensWay who have believed in this vision from the beginning, said Travis Terry, Board Member of the Friends of the QueensWay. “After so many years of planning, advocacy and community engagement, we are thrilled to enter this exciting new chapter with John leading the way.”

Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said not only is Surico focused on the public spaces in the community, but also ways of benefiting local businesses.

“The QueensWay has the potential to transform a unique piece of Queens into a vibrant public space that connects neighborhoods, expands access to open space and creates new opportunities for residents and local businesses,” Grech said. “John’s experience, energy and commitment to our city’s parks make him an excellent choice to lead the QueensWay into this next chapter.”

“His experience and commitment to parks, transportation, and community-centered development will be a tremendous asset as the QueensWay moves into its next chapter,” added Rachel Kellner, chair of Metro Village of Forest Hills. “Metro Village of Forest Hills looks forward to working with John and continuing to support efforts that strengthen and connect our Queens communities.”

As for Tamar Renaud, New York State director of the Trust for Public Land, he believes Surico’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the QueensWay as it breaks ground on Phase 1 of the project, which will benefit nearly 245,000 people who live along the corridor.

“Trust for Public Land is thrilled to welcome John as Friends of the QueensWay’s first Executive Director,” Renaud said. “TPL has been proud to work alongside Friends of the QueensWay for more than a decade, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with John and the Friends team to turn the QueensWay vision into reality.”