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How do your personal experience, identity, and background influence your access and interpretation of this space?

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How do your personal experience, identity, and background influence your access and interpretation of this space?

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I come from a Mexican immigrant family who has resided in Corona for several years. Mexicans are also one of the most present ethnic groups in Corona, so I am very comfortable with the community and its people. I feel connected to my community and to the people that help run Corona. I also feel very safe and secure in the part of Corona I am from.

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Source: Davies, Steve. “Corona Plaza: How Street Vendors Created the Soul of a Queens Neighborhood.” Social Life Project, Social Life Project, 8 Feb. 2024, www.sociallifeproject.org/corona-plaza-market-queens/. 

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Before, the community was predominantly home to Italians, Germans, and African-American immigrants. Now, it is home to a very large and diverse hispanic community along with Asians and Europeans. However, there is more representation of hispanic culture as it is present in businesses, the food being served, the language spoken, the music played, and the people seen walking around. Overall helping contribute to the community's very vibrant, energetic, and busy atmosphere.

Sound: Train or bus coming and leaving the station, announcements of the train arriving, cars and trucks honking, sometimes bikes and their bells, bags rustling, peoples steps (running, stomping loudly, going up or down the stairs), spanish music (different genres), conversations (arguments over the phone, laughing, telling each other news, parents telling their kids to be careful), etc.

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Leo's Latticini is a historic Italian deli that has served subs, sandwiches, and mozzarella since 1920.

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Iconic seller of Italian ices for over 60 years

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Source: Davies, Steve. “Corona Plaza: How Street Vendors Created the Soul of a Queens Neighborhood.” Social Life Project, Social Life Project, 8 Feb. 2024, www.sociallifeproject.org/corona-plaza-market-queens/. 

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Corona promotes social interactions through services, spaces, and events. At Corona Plaza, there are street vendors and stands along the Plaza and the block itself. There is a large area in the middle where people can sit, talk, play cards, and interact. About a block away there is the Park of The Americas, where people are seen relaxing, people seeing, or playing ball. All ages are also seen in the park since there is a basketball court, an outdoor gym area, a field area, and a kids playground. The park also sometimes distributes food and school for free. However, Flushing Meadows Corona Park promotes the most socialization, especially during spring, summer, and fall. They have events for movement like exercising, dancing, and yoga. Events for kids and families like art booths and movie streamings. Along with concerts and games at the stadiums all year round. The park also has a Night Market available to anyone during the warmer weather. Some of these events are mainly free, however, others are to be paid for. These events are also available to anyone interested. There are no restrictions since they are made to be accessible to all.

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Source: Wolff, Jessica. “Park of Americas.” Site Specialists, Site Specialists, 25 Feb. 2021, sitespecialistsnewyork.com/inspiration/park-of-americas/. 

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Source: Culgan, Rossilynne Skena. “Queens Night Market: Things to Do in New York.” Time Out New York, Time Out, 12 Feb. 2024, www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/queens-night-market-1. 

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Queens Night Market at Flushing Meadows Corona Park where food from all over the world is sold. The event includes live music, crafts, and other entertainment.

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Since the area is large and filled with hispanic people, in hispanic culture it is respectful to greet people and be mindful of others. In hispanic culture it is okay to be close in proximity to those you know. For example loved ones, family members, friends, etc. So sometimes, people in the community tend to stand close to others without giving it much thought.

It is also a norm to greet people and be kind. For example, when going to a deli it is respectful to say "hello" or "good morning" before you order something or pay. As well as greeting anyone you know or have seen on a daily out of generosity. This also goes for saying "thank you" to anyone who has provided you with a service even if it's simply a person who guided you with directions. It is just polite to be respectful and aware of others.

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Louis Tiffany and Louis Armstrong in the Valley of Ashes

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Who feels welcome here? Who might feel excluded?

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Who feels welcome here? Who might feel excluded?

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People who would feel included the most would be mainly hispanics and Latin American immigrants such as Mexicans, Ecuadorians, and Dominicans. Along with Asians and some European immigrants as they are also present within the community.

People who might feel excluded could be other ethnicities although Corona is a major attraction to tourists due to Flushing Meadows Corona Park and its attractions, so they shouldn’t feel much out of place. Other people could also include those who do not feel comfortable being around hispanics due to personal reasons, biases, etc.

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Source: Avila, Daniel. Visit Queens : NYC Parks, www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/visit-queens.

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Source: Katie Honan and  Hiram Alejandro Durán, “Boiling over with New Vendors, Corona Plaza Gets Organized.” THE CITY - NYC News, 1 Aug. 2022, www.thecity.nyc/2022/08/01/new-vendors-corona-plaza-gets-organized/. 

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How are power dynamics expressed in this space? Who seems to hold authority? How is that authority demonstrated?

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How are power dynamics expressed in this space? Who seems to hold authority? How is that authority demonstrated?

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I noticed that most vendors in Corona Plaza are older women instead of men. In supermarkets too, or when it comes to selling food, most of the workers are women. Most men are seen going to the train or coming back from work and waiting for the bus. Regarding authority, there seems to be an equal distribution of power within the community. No specific gender group has more authority over the other. However, regarding ethnicity, hispanics and Latin Americans run Corona. They have more small or family run businesses, and are more present than other races and groups.

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Source: Haller, Vera. “Corona, Queens, Affordable, with Latin Flavor.” The New York Times, 28 Jan. 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/realestate/corona-queens-affordable-with-latin-flavor.html. 

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What are the economic factors that determine access to this space? Are there hidden costs/invisible barriers?

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What are the economic factors that determine access to this space? Are there hidden costs/invisible barriers?

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The economy in Corona is pretty decent. It is one of the places that remains vibrant during the night, at least around Corona Plaza. There are a bunch of small businesses that the community supports and supplies from. There is also access to transportation via the 7 train that goes directly into the city, or the Q23 bus that makes its way to Forest Hills. Apartments and housing around Corona is somewhat affordable due to the availability of public transportation and attractions. On the downside, there is a lot of litter and garbage on the streets. In front of some businesses, bags of trash are piled up. Further away from Corona Plaza, some areas are also poorly lit at night making it feel unsafe and unprotected. They are less populated at late hours. I also noticed how some buildings are old and worn down but most seem well maintained.

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How do different social identities (such as, age, gender, religion, ability, race etc.) exist or do not exist in this space?

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How do different social identities (such as, age, gender, religion, ability, race etc.) exist or do not exist in this space?

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Throughout the community I noticed a lot of elders and older adults, and how neither train station has elevators. This made me think about how hard it must be for them to walk up the stairs without assistance especially since the train stations stairs are worn down. Regarding gender, there seems to be an equal number of females and males. With race again, there are mainly hispanics and Latin Americans seen walking the streets of the community. All ages and religions are seen within the community too. I would see kids of all ages hanging out with friends, going to the deli for a quick buy, or with their families. Adults are seen going to work, going home, or doing chores like shopping at the supermarket or going to the laundromat. I saw elders being assisted to board the bus or get to the train station platform. There are also a lot of Churches around Corona that are devoted to different religions and different languages. However, there are more Catholic churches throughout the community.

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Source: Alvarado Jr., José. “‘A Beacon of Hope’: 3 Years after Covid-19 Devastated Queens, Corona Plaza Becomes Bustling Market - Photo Gallery.” Gothamist, gothamist.com/news/photos/how-queens-corona-plaza-transformed-into-an-organized-street-vendor-hotspot.

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Are there any visible or invisible signs of social control or surveillance within this space?

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Are there any visible or invisible signs of social control or surveillance within this space?

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Surveillance is seen mainly in and around the train stations. There are two, 111 Street station and 103 Street-Corona Plaza station. Before there wasn't much patrolling in either stations until recently due to subway surfing. It has been an ongoing issue for the past year or so. There have been multiple accidents that have resulted in deaths or severe critical injuries in pre-teens.

Outside the train station at Corona Plaza, there has also been surveillance regarding street vendors. This issue occurred due to sanitation concerns, public safety, annoyance with the amount of trash that would accumulate, and food vendors not having permits or being unlicensed. Before there were around 80 unlicensed vendors and now there is a limit of around 14 licensed vendors that are allowed to provide food to the community.

Another thing I noticed is that at 103 Corona Plaza and 108th street, there is a lot of traffic and yet no one present to help control or direct it.

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Source: Alvarado Jr., José. “‘A Beacon of Hope’: 3 Years after Covid-19 Devastated Queens, Corona Plaza Becomes Bustling Market - Photo Gallery.” Gothamist, gothamist.com/news/photos/how-queens-corona-plaza-transformed-into-an-organized-street-vendor-hotspot.

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Corona Plaza was packed with multiple unlicensed street vendors before regulations were placed and made effective. Most involved were just trying to make a living and make enough money to support their families.

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How does the maintenance of the space reflect the values of the people or the communities that have access to it?

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How does the maintenance of the space reflect the values of the people or the communities that have access to it?

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The space is more or less cluttered with trash. It is more noticeable near the train stations than it is in the parks or around 108th street heading toward Horace Harding expressway. The further away from the station, going more into the middle of Corona, is way cleaner. I also observed some people properly throwing away trash into the trash cans but a handful just throwing it directly to the ground or leaving it behind on a public tables and spaces.

However, on a more positive note, the community does seem to care about change. Before Corona Plaza there used to be a road that crossed directly in front of the stores and the train station. It was then renovated so that no cars could pass by or park there. A current change, is the renovation of the William F. Moore Park due to how the space is mainly occupied by drunk men at night and even during the day, concerning public safety and sanitation. It currently is under reconstruction and is expected to be completed by February of 2026.

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Source: “Corona Farm.” Google, www.google.com.

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What biases might you have about this space and the people who are seen or not seen here?

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What biases might you have about this space and the people who are seen or not seen here?

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Since I identify and connect with the neighborhood, I have a bias toward the people of the community. I have a preference for hispanic run businesses such as pizzerias, supermarkets, bakeries, delis, etc. The space itself also feels safe so even when being out late at night, I know nothing bad will happen around my neighborhood.

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Source: Kathleen Lucadamo, "In Queens Neighborhood of Corona, Italian Ices, the Mets and Big Homes." The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-corona-a-taste-for-multi-family-homes-1444989601.

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How does the local businesses or local communities influence the information that is distributed about this space?

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How does the local businesses or local communities influence the information that is distributed about this space?

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Local businesses and communities in Corona influence the information distributed about the space through interactions. This could be through events, building connections with others, reflecting business character and being a representative, and contributing to cultural pride and identity. Due to a mix of businesses, there is a lot of diversity and growth allowing the economy to flourish.

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How can you use different research methods (such as, observation, interviews, online/library research etc.) to uncover histories and information about this space?

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How can you use different research methods (such as, observation, interviews, online/library research etc.) to uncover histories and information about this space?

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I used the internet to research about my community's history and what it was before hispanics called Corona home. I also used it to find pictures that I think perfectly captures Corona and the people that embody it.

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‘A beacon of hope’: 3 years after COVID-19 devastated Queens, Corona Plaza becomes bustling market - Photo Gallery - Gothamist

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On any given day, Corona Plaza is lined with vendors selling food, clothes and other things mostly from Central and South America.