On Global Filipinos: Little Manila Park signage unveiled in Queens
By Loida Nicolas Lewis
Whenever Architect Noel Gamboa and his wife Dori wanted to “satisfy their craving” for authentic Filipino food, they would drive to Roosevelt Avenue, in Woodside, Queens from their home in Forest Hills.
They often passed by a long fenced vacant lot while searching for parking space. For decades, it was unsightly, inside and out, full of tossed garbage, random trees, shrubs, weeds and construction debris.
On June 12, 2022, the Little Manila Avenue street sign at the corner of 70th St. and Roosevelt Ave. was unveiled to celebrate Philippine Independence Day declaring the district as “Little Manila”. Noel’s interest in the vacant lot peaked because after all, he is an architect, a Manileño, and a cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines, experienced in design, construction and development.
“My natural instinct was to transform this jungle of a lot, which had been idle for decades, into something useful,” he says. And that was when his idea of calling the prime but dormant 11,000 square foot piece of land, “Little Manila Park.”
He visited the City Planning office who informed him that the property was owned by the State of New York, which acquired the land for the expansion of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway directly behind the walls demarcating the property. He was granted permission to visit this gated parcel and was able to develop drawings of his vision of this green oasis.
The lot, he discovered, had many slopes, some steep. It would not be feasible for a basketball court or even a parking lot. The terrain would be suitable for a green space with tables, gazebos and a central stage, utilizing the slope to form a natural outdoor amphitheater. As a requirement for his design, he consulted with licensed arborists to determine which trees needed to be removed and which ones needed to remain and get pruned.
After the landowner gave a nod to his preliminary plans, an official organization was needed to be the signatory of the permit. Since no established group wanted to assume the responsibility for the project, which was met with doubts, harsh criticisms, and high expectations, Little Manila Park Inc. (LMPI) had to be formed and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and a Registered New York State Charitable Organization. This speedy accomplishment allowed LiMa Park (the acronym the core group created) to solicit funds and get tax deductions for kind donors
The FilAm community’s compassionate leaders came through with their support. Noel and his team presented the “Little Manila Block Improvements Project” to Queens Community Board 2, which gave an overwhelming written Letter of Support and approval distributed to all the State and City government officials. His supportive wife, Dori and the LiMa Parksters core group are behind him all the way. Together with Caroline Pasion, Gheng Pingol and Attorney Elizabeth Cueva, the group sought the support of the elected officials, primarily Assemblymember Steven Raga, who also submitted his letter of support, as the site is within his district. Consul General Senen Mangalile has constantly advocated for the project as well, believing in his heart that “we would all have a picnic there someday.”
In October of 2023, Noel dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s, and submitted all the approved plans, insurance certificates, and his signature on the permit for the final approval of the Agency, to grant a year-to-year lease paying $1rent. But it had become a long waiting game.
After several months, since LiMa Park had not received any response from the landlord, I had suggested, “Why not call the office of the DOT Commissioner in Albany?” A phone call was made. Two months later, on December 12, 2024, Noel finally received the permit and approval to develop the unused parcel of land left over from the highway project completed in 1965. The die is cast!
The project is still in need of a minimum of $70,000 in order to pay for cutting the trees, buying iron chairs, regrading the terrain, installing nipa hut-inspired gazebos and a central stage using the slope “to make a natural outdoor amphitheater,” as planned.
“The organization will not settle for a generic park. It carries our name, therefore it should represent the beauty of our culture. The objective is to make the whole Little Manila district a cultural and foodie destination,” laments Noel.
Although the park will be open to the public for free, LMPI will need sustainable funding to maintain the park, and work with organizations to help man the park during weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as most community parks function. “This is a great meeting place to share our culture and welcome others. We certainly look forward to the official grand opening once all the planned improvements have been funded and installed.”
