“Just Concrete Everywhere”: Residents Call for More Green Space in the Neighborhood

Written by: Adilah Mashriqi

Hicksville, NY – In a quiet pocket of the county, wedged between gas stations, schools, and fast-food chains, residents are feeling the weight of something that’s missing—green space. Trees are scarce. Parks are nonexistent. And for many families, a walkable patch of grass or a shaded bench is hard to come by.

“We’re surrounded by buildings,” said longtime resident Maria Lopez. “There’s just concrete everywhere.”

It’s an issue that’s been building slowly over the years but has now become a major concern for residents, small business owners, and educators in the area. The lack of accessible green space is more than an inconvenience—it’s affecting health, community engagement, and even child development.

Urban development in the neighborhood has accelerated in recent years, with new shopping centers and buildings replacing older homes and open lots. While this growth has brought in more businesses and housing options, it has left little room for nature.

“In this neighborhood, if you want to go to a nice park, you have to drive,” Lopez said. “And not everyone has a car.”

Maria Lopez has lived in the community for over 15 years and has raised two children here. She remembers a time when empty lots and trees were more common, but those days are long gone.

“Now it’s all pavement and fences,” she said. “There’s nowhere to sit, nowhere to breathe.”

The shift hasn’t just changed the landscape—it’s impacted how people feel in their own neighborhood. Without open green areas, people often have fewer chances to connect outdoors, exercise safely, or simply unwind.

“It’s like the environment forces you to stay inside,” Lopez added.

The absence of green space is especially troubling for families with children. Playgrounds, trees, and grass aren’t just for fun—they play a crucial role in physical and mental development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), access to green space is associated with improved attention, reduced stress, and better academic performance in children.

Ms. Mauro, a teacher at Lee Avenue Elementary School just a few blocks away, sees the problem firsthand.

“We make the most of what we have, but it’s tough,” Mauro explained. “Our playground is small, and we don’t have any green areas for nature-based learning or even calm outdoor reading time.”

For many students, the school yard is the only outdoor space they have access to during the day. But without shade or nature-based activities, the experience can feel limited.

“Green space is not just about play—it helps with mental health, physical activity, and even focus in the classroom,” Mauro emphasized. “Our kids deserve a space where they can feel safe, free, and connected to nature.”

She believes that even a small park near the school would go a long way toward improving student wellness and learning.

The consequences of limited green space go beyond schools and homes. Local businesses are noticing the absence as well.

Sanjay Patel, who has owned BP gas station for over a decade, said the lack of greenery affects how customers interact with the space around them.

“All the time, I get customers who hang around the store or just sit on the curb because there’s nowhere else to go,” Patel said. “I’ve even had people ask if they can sit out back, just to get a break from the sun.”

His gas station has no outdoor seating, and with no park or shaded rest area within walking distance, people often linger around the lot in search of shade or a place to rest. For Patel, it’s a missed opportunity—for both the community and small business.

“A small park or even a few benches and trees would change the whole vibe,” he said. “People would stay longer, walk more, maybe stop by the store for a drink or snack. It would be better for everyone.”

Patel believes that green space would also contribute to a safer and more vibrant community. “More people out walking and talking, that’s good for a neighborhood,” he said.

Beyond convenience and aesthetics, public green spaces are closely tied to public health. Studies from organizations like the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency have linked access to green spaces with lower rates of depression, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even crime.

Yet, in lower-income or rapidly developing neighborhoods, green space often takes a back seat to commercial and residential projects. Residents in this area are starting to question why their community is being left behind.

“It’s frustrating to know that just ten minutes away there’s a beautiful park with running trails and community events, but here we can’t even find a tree to sit under,” said Lopez. “It just doesn’t feel fair.”

Environmental equity—the idea that all people deserve equal access to clean air, water, and nature—has become a growing topic in urban planning circles. Cities across the country are beginning to map green space deserts and invest in under-served areas. However, this neighborhood hasn’t seen much action yet.

Still, residents have hope. Some are beginning to envision small, doable projects that could make a real difference.

“There’s an empty lot a couple blocks from here,” said Patel. “It’s just fenced off and overgrown. Why not turn that into a pocket park or garden?”

Others have suggested tree planting events, adding benches to the sidewalks, or working with local schools to green their grounds.

Ms. Mauro said she would love to see a partnership between the school district and the city.

“We could use part of the field behind the school and turn it into a shared green space,” she said. “It would benefit the students during the day and the community in the evening.”

Lopez agrees. “Even just a few trees and a small park would mean the world. It’s not about spending millions—it’s about showing the community that we matter.”

Making that vision a reality will require more than just wishes. Residents say it’s time for the city to listen and take action.

“We’re not asking for a Central Park,” said Lopez with a laugh. “We’re asking for something. Anything.”

The neighborhood has already begun organizing informal meetings and circulating a petition to bring attention to the issue. Some residents have started tagging the city in photos of cracked sidewalks, empty lots, and scorching streets on social media, hoping to catch the attention of city council members.

“It has to start somewhere,” said Patel. “We deserve the same care and investment as every other neighborhood.”

Green spaces are more than just decoration—they’re a reflection of how a city values its people. In this small neighborhood, the lack of greenery has created not just discomfort but a sense of being overlooked.

From students who need room to grow, to elders who seek shade and rest, to business owners who want to foster community—everyone is ready for change. And it starts with a tree, a bench, a patch of grass. It starts with listening.

“It may not seem like much,” Lopez said, “but green space tells people that this is a place worth living in. And we are worth it.”