Forest Hills, New York. Photo credit: Complicated from ATHENS, GEORGIA, USA, licensed under CC BY 2.0
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
Concertgoers are eagerly awaiting the Sept. 28-29 All Things Go music festival at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. However, many residents near the stadium are unhappy about this event, according to this Gothamist article by Giulia Heyward, because of the increased noise that accompanies concerts. One should remember it is not simply this one festival that creates noise complaints, but all the other events held at the stadium as well.
New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection concurs with the residents about the noise and has filed noise code violations against the stadium. In response to the violations, Forest Hills Stadium invested about $500,000 a decade ago on measures to reduce the sound levels emanating from the venue. Apparently, these measures were not successful; noise complaints to 311 “skyrocketed” between 2022 and 2023.
A lawsuit was filed at the end of 2023 to ban concerts at the stadium altogether, but a judge later dismissed the lawsuit. Another local organization, Forest Hills Gardens Corp, filed its own lawsuit regarding the noise but that case is still under review. The DEP has met with community members and the agency is currently monitoring sounds from the stadium. A stadium spokesperson said that music will end at 10 p.m. for the 37 remaining concerts this year.
The Forest Hills Stadium used to be a tennis club, and it turned 100 years old last year. It is now well-known for its concerts and festivals, so one can readily understand why iso many New Yorkers, including Forest Hills residents, admire it. Heyward interviewed one of the residents near the stadium who said he enjoys the music while he walks, and even when he’s in his home with his windows open. But another neighbor noted how difficult it was to put her child to sleep with the loud sounds coming into her home.
Despite the stadium’s storied history, one cannot deny that these loud sounds are causing stress and unhappiness for nearby residents. The question is: How can the stadium continue to hold concerts without disturbing those who live nearby?
