Korean Square is a small concrete triangle and slip lane located at the busy 5-way intersection of Forest Ave., Grandview Ave., and Palmetto St. in Ridgewood, and home to a memorial honoring fallen soldiers of the Korean War. Ridgewood Rides is seeking support to pedestrianize the slip lane that runs through Korean Square, as this unnecessary extra lane creates a dangerous intersection that is hostile to pedestrians and encourages illegal driver behavior.  Ridgewood Rides would like to see this square given back to the people and is asking the DOT to close this slip lane and to create a People-First Plaza at Korean Square.

Many of our neighbors pass through this area daily to access the Forest Ave M train, I.S. 93 and the Ridgewood Library. Over the past few years, the sidewalks around Korean Square have seen a notable increase in pedestrian activity due to new businesses opening on Forest Ave.

Currently, the pedestrian use of the space is in direct conflict with how car drivers use the space, as they use the slip lane through Korean Square to illegally and dangerously bypass the traffic light on Forest, disregarding the posted "Do Not Enter" and "No Left Turn" signs. Drivers also regularly park in the designated “No Standing” areas and block visibility of the crosswalks. These unpredictable conditions put pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers in harm’s way, making Korean Square unpleasant and often stressful to travel through.

There is currently an open NYC DOT case (DOT-719478-M0J8), requested by Queens Community Board 5, to study the feasibility of closing this short, unnecessary lane and pedestrianizing Korean Square. Ridgewood Rides fully supports the community’s request. Pedestrianization would make the area safer and more welcoming for everyone.

A pedestrianized Korean Square would:

• Provide much-needed open space for our neighbors to socialize and rest
• Prevent drivers from engaging in illegal behavior that's prevalent at this intersection
• Increase foot traffic, leading to greater support of local businesses
• Beautify the area and allow for proper reverence of the historic Korean War Memorial 

We urge the DOT to move forward with pedestrianization and the creation of a People-First Plaza at Korean Square!