Briarwood, Queens

Briarwood, Queens is a neighborhood in Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York City, bordered by Jamaica, Queens to the west, Archbishop Molloy High School to the north, Hillcrest, Queens to the east, and Richmond Hill, Queens to the south, with nearby neighborhoods including Kew Gardens, Queens and Forest Hills, Queens. The area is served by the New York City Subway and is close to John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Briarwood is also near St. John's University (New York City), York College, City University of New York, and Queens College, City University of New York. The neighborhood is represented by New York's 6th congressional district and is part of Queens Community Board 8, which also includes Fresh Meadows, Queens and Hollis Hills, Queens.

Geography

Briarwood, Queens is situated in central Queens, near the Van Wyck Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway, with the Jamaica Bay and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to the south. The neighborhood is close to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which hosted the 1939 World's Fair and the 1964 World's Fair, and is also near the Unisphere, a large stainless steel globe that was built for the 1964 World's Fair. Briarwood is bordered by the neighborhoods of Jamaica Estates, Queens to the east and Hollis, Queens to the west, and is also near Queens Village, Queens and Bellerose, Queens. The area is served by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and is close to the Kew Gardens Cinemas and the Queens Museum.

History

The history of Briarwood, Queens dates back to the early 20th century, when the area was developed as a residential neighborhood, with many homes built in the Tudor Revival style, similar to those found in nearby Forest Hills Gardens, Queens. The neighborhood was originally part of the Town of Jamaica, Queens, which was incorporated into the City of New York in 1898, along with the Town of Flushing, Queens and the Town of Newtown, Queens. Briarwood is also near the site of the former Jamaica Race Course, which was a major horse racing track in the early 20th century, and is close to the King Manor Museum, which was the home of Rufus King, a signer of the United States Constitution. The neighborhood is represented by the Queens Historical Society and is also near the Greater Astoria Historical Society.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the demographics of Briarwood, Queens are diverse, with a population that includes people of African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Latino American, and White American descent, similar to the demographics of nearby Jackson Heights, Queens and Elmhurst, Queens. The neighborhood is also home to a large population of Indian American and Pakistani American residents, with many restaurants and shops along Hillside Avenue, Queens and Sutphin Boulevard, Queens that cater to these communities. Briarwood is also near the Queens Center for the Arts and the Queens Theatre in the Park, which host a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including the Queens International Night Market.

Transportation

Briarwood, Queens is served by the New York City Subway, with the E and F trains stopping at the Briarwood station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), and the J and Z trains stopping at the Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport station. The neighborhood is also close to the Long Island Rail Road and the AirTrain JFK, which provide access to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Penn Station (New York City). Briarwood is also near the Van Wyck Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway, which provide access to the rest of Long Island and the New York City metropolitan area. The neighborhood is represented by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is also near the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Education

Briarwood, Queens is served by the New York City Department of Education, with several public schools in the area, including Archbishop Molloy High School, Hillcrest High School (New York City), and Ps 117 J Keld/Briarwood School. The neighborhood is also close to several colleges and universities, including St. John's University (New York City), York College, City University of New York, and Queens College, City University of New York. Briarwood is also near the Queens Library and the New York Public Library, which provide access to a wide range of books, media, and other resources. The neighborhood is represented by the New York City Council and is also near the New York State Education Department.

Landmarks

Briarwood, Queens is home to several landmarks, including the Briarwood station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Van Wyck Expressway, which is a major highway that runs through the neighborhood. The area is also close to the Unisphere, a large stainless steel globe that was built for the 1964 World's Fair, and the New York Hall of Science, a science museum that is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Briarwood is also near the Queens Museum, which is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and features a variety of art and cultural exhibits, including the Panorama of the City of New York. The neighborhood is represented by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and is also near the National Park Service. Category:Neighborhoods in Queens, New York