Woodside, Queens
Encyclopedia : W : WO : WOO : Woodside, Queens
- For other places with the same name, see Woodside
Throughout its history, Woodside has been the largest Irish American community in Queens, and has a large number of Irish expatriates. In the early 1930s, the area was approximately 80% Irish. (p. 414) Woodside has served as the primary destination for more recent immigrants from Ireland as well, with many arriving in the mid-eighties searching for economic opportunities in New York City. Even as the neighborhood has seen an increased ethnic diversity today, the area still retains a strong Irish-American presence.
In the late 1990s, many Asian American families moved into the area, particularly east of the 61st street station. Woodside's population is now 39% Asian-American. Woodside has a large population of Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos, each with their own respective ethnic enclaves. There are also sizable numbers of South Asians, particularly Indian, Bengali, and Pakistani groups, as well as a large Hispanic-American population, mostly immigrants from Colombia, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
Reflecting its longtime Irish flavor, the neighborhood is filled with Irish pubs, many catering to natives of particular cities and regions in Ireland. It is also home to some of the city's most popular Thai, Filipino, Colombian and Ecuadorian eateries. A rather unofficial Little Manila stretches from 65th-71st Streets at the strip of Roosevelt Avenue, where many Filipino businesses have flocked to serve Woodside's large Filipino-American community.
Woodside's diversity lends itself to a number of festivals and street fairs. It commemorates Saint Patrick's Day with a parade prior to the famous celebration in Manhattan; it also hosts several events in the summer, including an Independence Day street fair.
The neighborhood has many places of worship, as well as many schools (including PS 11, PS 12, PS 151, PS 152, PS 229, IS 125, Corpus Christi Elementary School, and Grover Cleveland High School). The parks in the area include Windmueller Park, Big Bush Park [link], and Laurel Hill Park.
Transportation
Woodside is easily accessed from the rest of the city. The New York City Subway's IRT Flushing Line (7) has stations at 52nd, 61st and 69th Streets on Roosevelt Avenue; the IND Queens Boulevard Line's local services (E (5) G (345) R (1234) V (123)) make stops at Northern Boulevard and 65th Street along Broadway. In addition, the LIRR makes a stop at Woodside station, which provides a direct connection to the 7 train at 61st Street. The Q18, Q39, and Q45 buses connect Woodside to the rest of Queens, while the Q32 and Q60 run to Manhattan. Access by car is provided by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) and Long Island Expressway (I-495).References
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