Forest Hills Stadium concerts can go on, but noise to be monitored, judge says
FOREST HILLS, Queens (PIX11) — A New York Supreme Court justice says the show can go on at Forest Hills Stadium as the annual summer concert series approaches.
However, the noise level of the stadium will be monitored this summer as a lawsuit filed by residents continues to play out in court, according to court documents.
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“A judge has validated our concerns about the noise and disruption caused by the stadium,” said a spokesperson for Concerned Citizens of the Forest Hills, one of the groups involved in litigation against the stadium. “These events need to be reigned in. We urge Mayor Eric Adams to order city agencies to enforce the law and stop the West Side Tennis Club from egregiously violating the noise code.“
Since 2023, three separate lawsuits have been filed against the stadium and its owners, the West Side Tennis Club. The lawsuits complained of trespassing by concertgoers and excessive noise.
In at least one ruling, the judge said he would not ban concerts or events from taking place at the stadium and said the West Side Tennis Club must coordinate with the NYPD to stop trespassing and monitor foot traffic.
A source told PIX11 News on Wednesday that the West Side Tennis Club has coordinated with Forest Hills residents and the NYPD for years to ensure smooth event days for neighbors and concertgoers.
“The Forest Hills Stadium is an iconic venue that has always sought to minimize its impact on local residents and comply with the law throughout its 100-year history,” said Akiva Shapiro of Gibson Dunn, counsel for the West Side Tennis Club. “It will continue to do so in connection with the recent orders of Justices Esposito and Caloras of the Queens Supreme Court and looks forward to the opportunity presented by the orders to implement a security plan that will ensure concertgoers’ entry and exit in an orderly manner and to have an independent sound monitor report on Stadium sound levels. The Stadium looks forward to hosting the fast-approaching concert season.”
What sets this court ruling apart from past rulings is that Supreme Court Justice Joseph J. Esposito says the sound level must be monitored by an independent party who will present the findings to each party.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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