K 354: Commemorating the 190th Anniversary of the neighborhood of Woodhaven to be celebrated on July 1, 2025

 Assembly Resolution No. 354 BY: M. of A. Rajkumar   commemorating the 190th Anniversary of the neighborhood of Woodhaven to be celebrated on July 1, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 190th Anniversary of the neighborhood of Woodhaven in Queens, New York; and WHEREAS, The area now known as Woodhaven has been inhabited for centuries, having been the home of the Rockaway, Lenape, and Delaware Native American tribes, followed by the Suydam, Wyckoff, Ditmar, Lott, and Snediker families settling in the eighteenth century; and WHEREAS, Woodhaven traces its inception to July 1, 1835, when John R. Pitkin purchased land to found a community he named Woodville, which in 1853 became Woodhaven in order to avoid confusion with another town of the same name; and WHEREAS, One of the pivotal developers of Woodhaven was Florian Grosjean, who in 1863 established the Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing Co. factory with his partner Charles Lalance, and then built a company town with homes, churches, a park, and a library; and WHEREAS, Today, Woodhaven is a charming neighborhood in Queens boasting many stores and restaurants that are individually or family owned, beautiful homes in the Victorian and Colonial styles, and residents filled with love for their community; and WHEREAS, The neighborhood is a suburban oasis in New York City, replete with low density housing, low-rise commercial buildings, and one of the largest tree populations in Queens; and WHEREAS, Historic small businesses, some of which have operated for over a century, abound in Woodhaven, including Neir's Tavern, Pop's Restaurant, Manor Delicatessen, and Schmidt's Candy; and WHEREAS, Woodhaven is home to numerous historic residences, houses of worship, and other landmarks, including St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, the Emanuel United Church of Christ, the Wyckoff-Snediker Family Cemetery, the Crystal Manor Hotel building, the Queens Public Library Woodhaven Branch, the Queens Fire Alarm Telegraph Station, the Woodhaven Post Office, the Spear and Company Factory, and homes that are over a century old; and WHEREAS, The crown jewel of Woodhaven is the beautiful Forest Park, founded in 1895, and known for its hiking and biking trails, Strack Pond, the George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell, and the historic Forest Park Carousel; and WHEREAS, The neighborhood is a center of the arts, home to many artists, the Woodhaven Art Circle, and frequent cultural events in Forest Park; and WHEREAS, Woodhaven is known for its diverse community of over 55,000, and was the home of notable people including Adrien Brody, Betty Smith, Mae West, Barry Sullivan, and George Gershwin; and WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the neighborhood of Woodhaven continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its residents, ensuring a positive business and social climate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 190th Anniversary of Woodhaven to be celebrated on July 1, 2025, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the community of Queens, and the State of New York as a whole; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to various Woodhaven organizations.