A new public space honoring healthcare workers was officially opened over the weekend in Woodside, Queens, a neighborhood often noted for its lack of green spaces. Little Manila Park, situated on a previously neglected lot bordered by 70th Avenue, 41st Street, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, was created through the efforts of local residents who contributed both time and more than $75,000 in funding.

The project was led by Dori and Noel Gamboa, a couple deeply involved in the community. Noel Gamboa, an architect, negotiated a lease agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation that allowed the group to use the land at a symbolic cost of $1 per year. A key stipulation of the arrangement was that the space remain freely accessible to the public.

What was once an area cluttered with trash and overgrown vegetation has been transformed into a park dedicated to honoring the frontline healthcare workers from the community, many of whom faced extraordinary risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The park serves as a tangible demonstration of “bayanihan,” a Filipino term described by Dori Gamboa as a spirit of collective effort, generosity, and community support. In her words, the concept embodies “a lot of love, helping out, hospitality, all for free,” and can be linked to the term “hero.”

The creation of Little Manila Park reflects a grassroots initiative that brought together a diverse group of residents united by a shared commitment to preserving the memory of those who served on the pandemic front lines. The investment of personal funds and volunteer labor underscores the community’s dedication to revitalizing a neglected part of Woodside while fostering a meaningful tribute to local heroes.

The new park not only provides residents with recreational space but stands as a symbol of resilience and solidarity, highlighting the essential contributions of healthcare workers during a critical period in recent history.