(continued from page 36) embraced the ideas of “health, open space, greenery, and idyllic community living for all” as well, and all sorts of people were encouraged to buy a home here, including Jews, and Catholics, which was uncommon at the time. “Ownership” not “tenancy” was another driving concept in the process. It also helped that real estate taxes were not going to be a concern for these new homeowners—city officials in 1923-1924 voted to exempt this development from them. One of the defining elements of the garden city—a style of urban planning—is the presence of shared green space in proportion to the homes (and garages were built on the edges of the area). Throughout the townhomes of Sunnyside Gardens are tree-lined paths (some private, some accessible to the public, whether intended or not) and shared gardens and courtyards in the apartment buildings. The hope was that this would provide a sense of community among neighbors and respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Though in the mid-20th century the area was less in demand with lax upkeep, in the 1970s Sunnyside Gardens caught the eye of preservationists and concerned residents, and in 1974 the community was designated as a Special Planned Community Preservation District. Then in 1984 it became a historical district in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, the neighborhood was officially landmarked by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This decision caused both frustration and angst with some residents, who felt that landmarking would increase costs to maintain their homes as well as limit them from making certain repairs or adjustments, and elation with others who were more preservation-minded. Today, Sunnyside Gardens remains a highly desirable Queens neighborhood, attracting all sorts of people, including plenty of young families who arrived from more expensive areas of the city, looking for lower rents and housing costs, as well as more space for the same money they would have spent in the aforementioned boroughs. The area has been rather familyfriendly over the years—when Sunnyside Gardens was first built, it was a haven for diverse families. The neighborhood also has also become popular with young people looking for cheaper rents than they were able to find in Brooklyn and neighboring Astoria and LIC. And historically, the area has attracted plenty of creative people—artists, writers, and teachers—and that remains the case to this day. It’s proximity to the 7 train is also a plus. The main commercial area of Sunnyside Gardens stretches along Skillman Avenue, and at times has the feeling of a small town Main Street. It’s lined with restaurants such as The Dog and Duck, a lively Irish pub; Quaint, a New American restaurant focusing on seasonal ingredients; Claret, a friendly wine bar that is popular with just about everyone; a greenmarket on the weekends, and a variety of global foods. Skillman is the site of the St. Pat’s For All Parade, an inclusive celebration that “celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York,” but participants run the gamut, including representatives from the LGBTQ community, local politicians, musicians, drum corps, and progressive political organizations. It is usually held in early March, just before St. Patrick’s Day, which is a popular holiday in Sunnyside as a whole, thanks to the established Irish community in the neighborhood. If you haven’t spent any time in Sunnyside Gardens, we highly recommended that you do! 38 | BOROMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2013
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