Mayor Eric Adams hosted the 33rd “Community Conversation” last Thursday at P.S. 182 in Jamaica, engaging with Southeast Queens residents over ongoing community issues and updating them on his administration’s accomplishments.

Commissioner Fred Kreizman of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit kicked off the discussion, expressing gratitude to local officers, especially following a recent incident in Jamaica Avenue where a police officer and a bystander were shot by an armed suspect.

The event brought together a large representation from city offices, with Adams underscoring the administration’s efforts to maintain equity by holding similar discussions across all boroughs.

Local leaders like Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar joined, emphasizing achievements, including the crackdown on illegal smoke shops and proposed e-bike safety regulations.

Mayor Adams, born and raised in Queens, reminisced about his personal connection to the community, sharing his commitment to addressing systemic issues he saw growing up.

He highlighted progress under his leadership, citing record employment levels, housing developments, and initiatives targeting youth and underserved communities, including the screening of all public school students for dyslexia.

The conversation turned to park management when James Johnson, chair of the Southern Queens Park Association, raised concerns over the lack of community control at Roy Wilkins Park, the area’s only community center.

Johnson advocated for a return to community-led management, alleging new bureaucratic hurdles under the parks administration, including increased insurance requirements for events.

“I am not pleased, and I have never been pleased with how the game changes whenever we want to do something,” Adams responded, affirming his commitment to fair and equitable treatment for the community.

Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue expressed willingness to work collaboratively with the Southern Queens Park Association to create a new, fair agreement, acknowledging the park’s unique role in the community.

In an effort to resolve the issue, a meeting was scheduled for the following day to address the community’s concerns.

Mayor Adams pledged that his team would work within legal parameters to ensure that Roy Wilkins Park continues to serve as a Black-managed community space.

Adams assured the community, “We’re not going to give you anything less” than what other communities with similar management models receive.

He expressed a commitment to overcoming legal limitations to ensure that the park remains an essential resource for Southeast Queens.

The meeting was well-received, with community members hopeful for a positive resolution, confident that the administration’s promise would lead to lasting change in their neighborhood.