FHG Stand Up

We are FHG Stand Up—a growing group of Forest Hills Gardens residents united by a shared purpose: to amplify the voices that have gone unheard. Our community is not monolithic, and recent actions by the board do not reflect the diverse views and concerns of many who call this neighborhood home. We are committed to fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusive representation—because we believe Forest Hills Gardens deserves better.

Why We’re Running

We all love the Gardens and care deeply about its future.  The current Board has become consumed by litigation instead of finding common ground to resolve the concert disputes. After three years and more than $2 million in lost revenue (~$1m spent on litigation, ~$1m estimated lost concert proceeds), there are still no concert limits, no promoter fees, no police presence on our streets, and no seat at the table to raise concerns. Many residents feel excluded and frustrated by the Board’s secrecy around legal decisions and spending. This ongoing focus on lawsuits—at the expense of safety, transparency, and community priorities—shows the urgent need for new leadership with clear goals and a commitment to restoring accountability and progress in the Gardens.

We believe that the need for new FHGC leadership extends beyond the Board’s poor decision-making around concerts and litigation and that a board that is not preoccupied with wasteful litigation will have the time and resources to address other pressing issues. We see room for improvement in many areas, including:

  • Many residents have sent emails or letters about a variety of quality-of-life issues to the FHGC Board, only to be completely ignored. We find this practice to be unacceptable and are committed to restoring a spirit of service, responsiveness, and professionalism toward our constituents.

  • Forest Hills Gardens should be working towards implementing a camera system installed throughout the neighborhood to support the safety of residents and the security of their homes, much like that which exists throughout the city. Additionally, FHGC’s agreement with the private security contractor Excel should be reassessed and potentially replaced with a more effective partnership, including the consideration of 24 hour security.

  • There are a number of “traffic hot spots” in the neighborhood that would benefit from a traffic management plan. This includes but is not necessarily limited to the area around P.S. 101 on weekdays, including Slocum Crescent, Greenway South, and Greenway Terrace.

  • There are many areas that could be made safer for pedestrians, including Station Square and several crosswalks throughout the neighborhood. There are also locations that would benefit from speed bumps. Finally, the directional signs of the Flagpole Circle Roundabout should be made counterclockwise to align with western right-sided driving. 

  • Our community’s green spaces (Hawthorne Park, Flagpole Green, and Olivia Park) are often closed throughout the year for “maintenance.” While we understand the need for lawn upkeep activities, we believe that these parks are meant to be enjoyed by our residents and we will explore ways to ensure that parks are kept open throughout the year.