About this Event
Please join us on Saturday, October 17 to take part in a civic workshop and a fun-filled day of community activities hosted by Open House New York (OHNY), the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), Living City Project (LCP), Valé Ecolab, and RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) to celebrate the initiative called Rockaway Wellness Way, an evolving civic and cultural gathering place, or “El-Space,” underneath and adjacent to the elevated A train at Beach 59th/60th streets in Far Rockway, Queens.
Please view the OHNY event announcement at Rockaway Wellness Way | OHNY Weekend 2026 which describes the day’s planned activities centering around four central themes to engage visitors and participants:
MAKE → IMAGINE → CONNECT → CELEBRATE
The day will kick off at 9:30 am followed by multiple activities throughout the day including exhibitions at the adaptively reused RISE former firehouse; a communal seaside dune planting organized by RISE; a DOT Street Design Manual scavenger hunt; a tour with artist Camila Morales of the “Seaside Strong” mural followed by an interactive design charette led by LCP; a meet-and-greet accompanied by a violin performance; and a rapid-fire presentation of future visions and mural designs.
Volunteers will greet you at the 59th Street A train station and in front of RISE throughout the morning and afternoon to guide you to the various activities and venues.
Activities and Venues:
MAKE → IMAGINE → CONNECT → CELEBRATE
Arrival & Registration
9:30 AM to 10:00 AM
RISE @ 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Welcome & Opening Remarks: Nature, Culture, Art
MAKE
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Beach 44th Street and Arverne East Welcome (on the boardwalk)
Sandy Anniversary Planting
A communal planting event to create a natural protective buffer for the Rockaway community.
IMAGINE
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
RISE @ 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Reimagining the Edge: Expositions & Dialogues
Exhibitions on urban restoration and regeneration and a cooperative gathering where participants and stakeholders will brainstorm and actively design together.
CONNECT
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
RISE @ 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Strings & Synergy: Refreshments, Networking, and Music
A gathering harmonizing professional and community networking with refreshments and the uplifting ambiance of live music.
CELEBRATE
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Beach 59th Street A Train Station/El-Box
PechaKucha at the El-Box
Fast-paced summary presentations of design ideas resulting from the day’s workshops and activities regarding the future of Rockaway Wellness Way.
Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to participate in the dune planting and restoration project for which students can receive community service hours. Additional family activities will include scavenger hunts and games, art and design workshops, and nature journaling.
Directions to RISE
The best way to get to RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) at 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692 is by taking the MTA A train.
By Subway (MTA A Train)
· Route: Take the Far Rockaway/JFK-bound A train to the Beach 60th Street station.
· Walking: Exit the station and walk just one block to reach Rockaway Beach Boulevard and RISE (located right off the stop).
· Travel Time: About 1 hour from midtown Manhattan.
By NYC Ferry
· Route: Take the Rockaway route from Wall Street/Pier 11 or the Brooklyn Army Terminal to the Beach 108th Street landing.
· Transfer: Board the Free East Shuttle Bus from the ferry landing and exit at the designated MTA bus stop near RISE.
· Travel Time: About 58 minutes from Wall Street or 45 minutes from the Brooklyn Army Terminal, plus the shuttle ride.
By Car
· Route: Take Flatbush Avenue to the Cross Bay Bridge, then follow Rockaway Beach Boulevard down to Beach 59th/60th Street.
Images courtesy of RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) and Valé Ecolab.
Event venue & nearby stays
RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity), 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Queens, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.