Highway Off-Ramp Strip Becomes Sculpture Garden in Queens
A neglected green patch next to a highway off-ramp in Queens, New York, has been transformed into a community sculpture garden by local artists, featuring benches with inspirational words and quirky sculptures, still used by neighbors for cookouts.
Green strips alongside highway off-ramps are usually desolate, littered with weeds and trash. The pocket where the Long Island Expressway lets drivers onto Queens Boulevard in New York City was no exception—until a group of sculptors decided to carve out a space for local art.
Origins and Installation
The space was already being used sporadically by neighbors, but local artist Susan Vario asked another artist, Yvonne Shortt, to collaborate on turning it into a true community space. A mission group from Texas performed the initial cleanup, while Shortt used a Burning Man Global Arts Grant to create several pieces. These include a series of benches spelling out “Life can be,” “an adventure,” “it’s up to,” and “you.” Over the years, sculptures from Shortt and others joined them, such as a cute red hippo or a colorful tangled heap of rope and shotgun shells. A nearby sign explains “how to relax,” first instructing patrons to ignore any garbage they may see.
Current Use and Condition
In recent years, the garden has looked a bit forlorn, with no new artwork being installed. Nonetheless, in nice weather, neighbors still gather there for cookouts and other outdoor activities, taking advantage of this convenient oasis in a sea of asphalt.
