It’s a bit perplexing, really.
In Queens, the city is resorting to using large potted plants to stop illegal parking in front of fire hydrants, mainly to keep FDNY trucks clear during emergencies, according to local residents and officials. Many are upset about this approach.
“I think the decision to install these planters is completely irresponsible,” City Councilwoman Joanne Arriola (R-Queens) expressed, questioning how anyone in charge could consider it a good idea. She believes it’s merely risking public safety.
Though the Department of Transportation’s planter initiative has been around for a few years, Arriola, who heads the city’s Fire and Emergency Management Committee, mentioned that she only discovered this issue following constituents’ complaints this year.
“In emergencies, every second matters. If a fire occurs, wasting even a moment trying to shift a planter could mean the difference between life and death,” she remarked.
Julia Silver, a resident of Jackson Heights, voiced concerns too. She noted that the heavy pots sometimes block fire engines from getting into her neighborhood on 34th Street.
“They can’t fit and end up having to maneuver back and forth,” she recollected, adding that these planters began appearing about five years ago as part of a pandemic-induced open streets initiative.
“We’ve notified the DOT multiple times because they really pose a danger,” she said.
The local community group criticized the program. One video from September 2022 shows a firefighter struggling to reach a child with a head injury, hindered by a large flowerpot.
In another YouTube clip from May 2023, firefighters are seen wrestling with heavy planters, although it wasn’t confirmed whether they were responding to an emergency.
Recent photos shared depict substantial pots blocking fire hydrants, requiring several people to move them.
City Councilman Philip Wong also pointed out, “It doesn’t make sense to expect firefighters to move things around.”
However, DOT officials countered that regulations stipulate planters must be at least 15 feet away from fire hydrants to avoid obstructing emergency responses.
“These sidewalk widens aim to ensure vehicles maintain safe speeds on 34th Avenue Open Street and prevent any illegal blocking of hydrants,” they elaborated.
The agency claims to have collaborated with the FDNY to position planters that are “not easily movable,” ensuring they don’t hinder emergency services.
Yet, when queried about some planters appearing out of place, a spokesperson acknowledged that “the planter seems to have shifted several feet” and assured they would rectify the situation quickly.
Residents report that it can sometimes take quite a while for the Department of Transportation to respond to issues about planters obstructing hydrants.
“These planters are quite heavy, and they can get nudged by cars,” Silver explained. “So if we see one near a hydrant, we’ll alert the DOT, but it might take days for them to get it moved.”
The topic resurfaced during a recent meeting of the Emergency Management Committee.
“This is a problem across the city. It’s an issue in my district,” City Councilman Phil Wong noted.
He added, “The DOT’s method of installing such barriers and heavy structures on streets raises significant concerns about our ability to maintain emergency access.”
“I’m all for safer streets, but not at the expense of common sense or the firefighters’ ability to respond promptly,” he said.
During the meeting, DOT Deputy Secretary Sean Quinn stated that the agency is “open to adjustments post-implementation.”
“We often communicate with the fire department about possible changes. If planters or blocks shift after installation, we work to return them to their original spots,” Quinn concluded.
