Broad Channel is a neighborhood located in the borough of Queens, part of the Metropolitan area of New York City. It occupies the southern portion of Rulers Bar Hassock known colloquially as “Broad Channel Island”, which is the only inhabited island in Jamaica Bay. Broad Channel is lying between Howard Beach and the Rockaway Peninsula; it is connected to those communities by bridges at either end of the island. The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge carry vehicles, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.
Many homes in Broad Channel are built on stilts in the water. Over 3,000 people are permanently resident here and there are approximately 1,500 homes. The neighborhood stands on Big Egg Marsh, an area of fill approximately 20 blocks long and 4 blocks wide. The IND Rockaway Line of the New York City Subway (A S) serves the Broad Channel station.
A sign welcomes visitors and residents to Broad Channel.
A toll allows vehicles over the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Broad Channel Public Library which occupies a portion of the site of the former Weiss’s Restaurant, a popular spot with locals and visitors in the area.
As of 2010 census, there were 2,622 people residing in the area. 30% Percent of married-couple are families with children. The median income for a household in the village is $89,498. Elevation is 3 feet.
Broad Channel Park, located on the Cross Bay Parkway between the Broad Channel waterway and 20th Road.
A 57mm anti-tank gun and stone are dedicated to Joseph Edward Schaefer, who was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II.
Prince Wynn VFW Post 260 in Broad Channel.
Broad Channel remained a parcel within the Town of Jamaica until the consolidation of New York City in 1898. The area acquired some disrepute in the 1920s and 1930s. First, an infectious outbreak on the mainland was thought to radiate from the island’s catch and fishing was banned for some time in Broad Channel. During Prohibition, Broad Channel expanded as an out-of-the-way haven for rum-runners and speakeasies. In 1924, development was spurred by construction of Cross Bay Boulevard. It placed Broad Channel on a path to becoming a modern residential and commercial locality in Queens, with firm and stable connection to the Rockaways and to the bright lights beyond. This link saw the establishments of many stores, enterprises, and homes. Today, Broad Channel streets have also their own numbering format, independent of that used elsewhere in the borough.
A sunset casts light on Manhattan Island across Jamaica Bay.
A sunset casts light on Manhattan Island across Jamaica Bay.
A sunset casts light on Manhattan Island across Jamaica Bay.
Well-known residents living in Broad Channel include Charles Howard, a local celebrity and the descendant of a family that has lived prosperously in Broad Channel since the late 19th century. The New York City Department of Education operates schools in Broad Channel. The Chris Galas and St. Virgilius Schools have 350 students between them and go to Grade 8. It is served by the Broad Channel Public Library which occupies a portion of the site of the former Weiss’s Restaurant, a popular spot with locals and visitors in the area.
The NYC Greenstreets Program removes drab concrete and asphalt patches from streets and replaces them with landscaped areas comprising shrubs, trees and other flowering plants. By turning thousands of traffic islands and medians into greens space, the Parks Department brings “pint-sized parks” to the doorsteps of thousands of New Yorkers.
A memorial to deceased veterans of Broad Channel, by the VFW #260.
Located on Cross Bay Boulevard between East Fourth and Sixth Roads in Broad Channel, this park honors Broad Channel’s war veterans, especially George Riekers (1921-1996) who worked for the advancement of Broad Channel and the establishment of this park.
Broad Channel is hermetic community where many are policemen, firemen and EMS workers. At just two miles long by two blocks wide, the neighborhood has no supermarket, limited gas stations and restaurants, but due to its large coastline there are many boats. The Cross Bay Boulevard placed Broad Channel on a path to becoming a modern residential and commercial locality in Queens, with firm and stable connection to the Rockaways and to the bright lights beyond. The 9,000-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge occupies the top, nose-shaped half of the island, and is home to 300 species of birds including the great blue heron, the glossy ibis and the red start warbler.
The 9,000-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge occupies the top, nose-shaped half of the island, and is home to 300 species of birds including the great blue heron, the glossy ibis and the red start warbler.
The Visitor Contact Station, a Gold LEED certified building, welcomes visitors and is the starting point for many guided programs. Free walking permits, necessary to hike the trails, are obtainable here as well.
