King Park
Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street

Located in the heart of Downtown Jamaica, this 11-acre park is on the former farm of Rufus King, a framer of the U.S. Constitution and outspoken opponent of slavery. The park surrounds the King Manor Museum and contains a playground, a children's mist pool, handball and basketball courts, winding paths, and open space for soccer and concerts.

GJDC is currently partnering with Centro Hispano - Cuzcatlan, Jamaica Neighborhood Center, and King Manor Museum to improve the physical quality and programming of King Park:

Through the support of the J. M. Kaplan Fund's "Immigrants and Parks Initiative" GJDC along with the aforementioned organizations have begun an effort to improve the environs of King Park. The partnership's efforts will focus on programming the new multi-use turf field as well starting a volunteer-led horticulture program.

To see a video produced by the J.M. Kaplan Foundation about the "Immigrants and Parks" Collaborative work click here.

Pathways

Jamaica Pathways is a system of enhanced pedestrian routes designed to create a safe and attractive environment to encourage visitors to leave their cars and explore Downtown Jamaica on foot. The first three pathways, now open on Sutphin Boulevard, 159th Street and 160th Street, connect downtown street sections to transit or parking facilities. The project provides pedestrian amenities like special sidewalk surfaces, lighting, path finding information, trees, landscaping and coordinated graphics. Jamaica Pathways will be expanded to connect other streets in the community in the near future.

Jamaica Market
90-40 160th Street

This town center contains a variety of restaurants, boutiques, and unique craft shops that represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of Jamaica. A multicultural food court and shopping area offering everything from Thai food to authentic African tribal sculptures to Peruvian music CDs, Jamaica Market is the perfect place to meet for lunch. This Greater Jamaica Development Corporation facility hosts a weekly Farmers' Market and houses 30 shops run by local entrepreneurs, including many minority and women-owned businesses.

Coming Soon!

Station Plaza

Station Plaza will be Jamaica's most animated public space. A forecourt to the LIRR Jamaica Station, it will consist of two public spaces on Archer Avenue on either side of Sutphin Boulevard, with seating, trees, landscaping and outdoor dining. Transit information, new subway exits, public information kiosks, and concessions will be new amenities for transit users. These spaces will be managed, maintained, and secured by the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District. It is anticipated that construction will be completed in 2010.

Gateway Plaza

Gateway Plaza combines several important objectives: It creates a new image for Downtown Jamaica's western entrance from Atlantic Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway, provides a new neighborhood park in an area that is underserved, and will allow the construction of the Atlantic Avenue extension. The new Gateway will be named and planted with decorative grasses and indigenous roses. It will have special lighting and signage, giving this entrance to Jamaica, seen primarily by motorists, a new and welcoming image. The new Gateway will be completed in 2009.