Staten Island’s Silver Lake Residents Want Victory Blvd Connection To Forest Avenue Reopened To Vehicular Traffic To Improve Safety, Alleviate Gridlock

Staten Island Silver Lake Residents Want Victory Blvd Connection To Forest Avenue Reopened To Vehicular Traffic To Improve Safety, Alleviate Gridlock

Editor’s note: Similar to the concept of Open Streets proposed and enacted by NYC DOT, there is a balance to be maintained between public space and places where cars can drive.  While in some areas, streets would do better if taken back by the pedestrian community, in others the inconvenience makes it not worthwhile.  For many Staten Islanders in this area, the traffic headache caused by the closure of this roadway to vehicle traffic has increased an already high commute time.  However, it can also be said that when a street is taken back by the city, it should become a natural area, with trees and flowers planted, encouraging animals to share the space with pedestrians, so that everyone can have access to such areas.   This has not been the case in the Silver Lake Park roadway area. 

A growing group of Staten Island residents have signed a Change.org petition urging city leaders to keep the Silver Lake Park roadway, connecting Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue, open to vehicle traffic. Originally closed during the pandemic, the road recently reopened and has already helped alleviate congestion in one of the borough’s most gridlocked areas.

Petition signers argue that the reopened roadway is more than a convenience; it’s a necessity. They cite faster commutes, improved emergency access, and even enhanced public safety as reasons to keep it open. During the road’s closure, a violent assault occurred in the park, and advocates now point to greater visibility and consistent traffic flow as deterrents to crime.

This petition comes amid broader debates across New York City about balancing green space with urban mobility. Petition signers emphasize that Silver Lake Park still offers extensive pedestrian trails and green areas, and that this roadway serves thousands daily.

If you want to view the petition, you can find it at www.change.org/SilverLake.

 

The petition will be sent to Governor Hochul once a sufficient number of signatures has been gathered.  Following is the text of the petition, found on Change.org:

We, the undersigned residents, commuters, and members of the Staten Island community, strongly support keeping the Silver Lake Park roadway—connecting Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue—open to vehicular traffic.

Originally closed in 2020 as a temporary pandemic measure to create more open space, this road has now rightfully reopened. Its return is not only practical, but essential. This roadway is a critical connector between two major arteries in a heavily congested part of Staten Island. Its reopening has already provided visible relief by reducing traffic buildup, cutting commute times, and improving the overall flow of movement across the borough.

While we respect the concerns of those who use the park for jogging and recreation, it is important to recognize that Silver Lake Park remains expansive, with abundant green space, trails, and pedestrian paths. The park serves many, and it must strike a balance that reflects the needs of the broader community—not just a vocal few. A small number of opponents should not override the voices of the many who rely on this thoroughfare for daily travel, emergency access, and safe, efficient mobility.

Keeping this road open also enhances public safety. During the period it was closed, the park became more isolated, with fewer eyes on the area and less consistent traffic presence. Tragically, during that time, a woman was assaulted in the park. The alleged assailant fled and hid in the backyard home of a Silver Lake Park resident. This deeply troubling incident highlights the risks that can emerge when public spaces become secluded. Open roadways increase visibility, encourage regular movement, and foster a stronger public presence—all of which are proven deterrents to crime.

Banner Image:  Silver Lake Reservoir Out of the Archives: This is Staten Island’s Silver Lake Reservoir, the original end-of-the-line for Catskill water traveling 120 miles from Ashokan Reservoir, on October 17, 1917. In the 1890s, Staten Island residents pressed for a public park in their borough, and in 1897 a bill passed to purchase land and prepare plans for Silver Lake Park. The park was established about five years later, and within another few years the Board of Water Supply decided to transform the lake into a reservoir and add over 100 acres to the park. Construction began in 1913 and, as shown in this photo, by fall 1917 the reservoir was filled with Catskill water, final landscaping was underway, and this man was checking the future location of a seven-foot-tall fence (the little suitcase is where one fence post would be placed).

 

From 1967-71, underground storage tanks were built to hold Staten Island’s drinking water, and the lake became accessible to the public again. Today the park offers many recreational activities, and the lake still receives water from Ashokan.  Image Credit – NYC Water