I’ve always believed that Queens doesn’t just house people—it holds them.
It holds their stories, their roots, their languages, their laughter. It holds Sunday dinners and neighborhood block parties. It holds generations, dreams, and more cultures than most places on earth could even imagine fitting into a single ZIP code.
So when I stood in MacDonald Park in Forest Hills on a crisp spring morning, surrounded by families, friends, artists, and elected officials, watching the tarp fall away to reveal a towering new sculpture that read “Queens: The World’s Borough,” something inside me lit up.
It wasn’t just art.
It was us. In steel. Standing tall.
A Monument to What We Already Know
If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ve probably heard someone try to explain Queens.
They might tell you it’s about the food—where you can eat Tibetan momos, Greek souvlaki, and Colombian arepas all within three blocks. Or maybe they’ll talk about the 150+ languages spoken here, or the way a subway ride from Jackson Heights to Flushing feels like a passport stamp.
But what makes this borough truly unique?
It’s the people. The way we show up. The way cultures don’t just coexist—they blend, learn, and grow together.
And now, we’ve got a sculpture that captures all of it.
Built with Purpose, Not Just Pride
Designed by Queens-based artist Larry Ng, the new 6-foot-tall, 22-foot-wide landmark is a statement—one that had been waiting to be said out loud and in full color.
- The colors are drawn from the Queens flag—a nod to civic pride and shared history.
- The stainless steel finish reflects not just the skyline but our resilience.
- The font echoes the classic “I ❤️ NY,” tying our borough into the larger New York story while carving out our own space in it.
At over 2,000 pounds, this is a symbolic anchor. It says, “We’re here. We’ve always been here. And we’re proud of it.”
The Voices That Make Queens Feel Like Home
At the unveiling, there were speeches—but more importantly, there was belonging.
It wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting. It was a community moment.
I saw kids taking selfies in front of the sculpture. Parents holding their toddlers up for a photo. Neighbors exchanging nods of recognition. You could feel it—that shared understanding that this is what home feels like.
From a Spark to Steel
Like most beautiful things in Queens, this sculpture didn’t start big—it started as an idea. Larry Ng envisioned something that would reflect the borough he loved, but ideas need backing. That’s where Queens showed up, as it always does.
Local resident Kevin Sanichiara helped take the vision public, launching a GoFundMe that caught fire online. Northwell Health stepped in with not just a donation, but a team. And bit by bit, what started as a dream turned into a landmark. It’s a classic Queens story: dream big, work hard, rally the community—and watch what happens.
A Day Worth Celebrating
As the sculpture stood unveiled, the celebration continued with music, dance, and performances by Queensboro Dance Festival, Queens Rising, and local musicians who brought every corner of the borough into harmony.
There was joy. And pride. And that subtle Queens swagger we’ve earned the right to wear.
More Than a Sculpture—A Statement About Home
To me, this sculpture means something deeply personal.
As a local real estate broker, a dad, and someone who’s lived in multiple corners of Queens, I can tell you—home isn’t just where you sleep. It’s where you belong. And in Queens, belonging isn’t earned—it’s given.
No matter where you’re from, what language you speak, what foods you cook, or what holidays you celebrate—Queens has a place for you.
That’s what “The World’s Borough” means. And now, that message stands tall, cast in steel, for everyone to see.
Whether You’re New Here or a Lifelong Local…
Let this sculpture be your reminder: Queens is yours to call home.
If you’re thinking about planting roots, upsizing, downsizing, or just exploring the borough from a different angle—I’m here to help. With heart. With hustle. And with that Queens pride we all carry.
Photo Credit: queenstheworldsborough