Google DocsCommunity Opposition to Parkland Alienation[Leer texto en español]
Community Members of Queens
May 7, 2025
The Honorable Members of the New York State Senate
New York State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Re: Opposition to Parkland Alienation for Casino Development at Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Dear Senators,
We write to you today regarding a matter of grave importance to the future of our community. We urgently implore you not to support any bill that would alienate parkland to bring a casino to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
This letter is written as a last resort. It is our understanding that, in matters of land use, the New York State Senate traditionally defers to the local senator who represents the affected community. Our local senator has clearly spoken out against this bill. And yet, it appears the Senate may still vote to remove parkland from our community to advance this casino project.
We understand that the sponsor of the legislation to alienate parkland in our community represents a small portion of the project. However, that should not outweigh the concerns of the community in which the majority of the project is located. Put simply: the casino will bring harms to our communities, and the developers do not have our consent to take away public parkland for this predatory casino project.
The threat to our parkland in Willets Point is not new. In 2010, we were similarly forced to unite to defend our community’s open space. At that time, then-State Senator Tony Avella sued the City of New York for attempting to repurpose Willets Point into “Willets West,” a planned mega-mall that would have seized public parkland for commercial use. The court’s decision in that case was unambiguous: no one can repurpose public parkland without the express consent of both the State Senate and the Assembly.
It was clear then—as it should be now—that the support of both the local senator and assemblymember is essential when considering such significant changes. When a casino was first proposed for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, we met with our elected officials to make our position known: we do not want a casino in our community, and we do not support the alienation of public parkland to make way for one.
Now, we understand the Senate may choose to disregard its longstanding tradition of respecting the will of local representatives. It appears poised to alienate our parkland—against our wishes and without the full support of those who represent us.
As you consider this decision, with the future of our community and our public space in your hands, we ask you one simple question:
How many of you would vote to put a casino in our district while opposing one in your own?
If you believe a casino is not in the best interest of your constituents, how can you justify placing one in ours? In Willets Point. In Corona. In Flushing. In East Elmhurst. In Jackson Heights.
We respectfully request your full consideration and urge you to stand with our community—not against it.
Sincerely,
Signed,
