Forest Hills Residents React to Mumford & Sons Concert

Local residents had mixed reactions to last night’s Mumford & Sons concert at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, but most of the criticisms had more to do with parking and traffic issues stemming from the show than the performance itself.

The concert was the first to be held at the stadium, which once hosted shows by The Beatles and Bob Dylan, since 1997.

Last night’s show was the first of 19 upcoming concerts that have been planned for the site during the next two years.

Forest Hills residents posted their responses to the concert on Facebook, Twitter and a story Patch ran yesterday.

Here is a roundup of some of the comments. Also, be sure to watch the accompanying video, which was posted by italiangirle on YouTube.

Hallie Schultz via Twitter: While that Mumford & Sons concert was extremely enjoyable, I still think all their songs sound the same.

Tracy Joseph via Facebook: I just want to know who the genius was that let a TV show and a concert block traffic and take up parking all in the same week. And residents are mostly annoyed because they gave us no notice about the traffic and parking until a Gardens email yesterday afternoon.

Alice Stebel via Facebook: Actually, we were notified [about] the official street closures earlier on Monday via email in addition to a hard copy format delivered by post. There was another email sent yesterday as well as a notice slipped under the door.

Linda, a reader, wrote this on Patch’s story posted yesterday: I live in the building across the street and how wonderful to see this beautiful and historic stadium back in use. Yes, there were a few hiccups but, overall, our day to day activity was not disrupted in any way. We went downstairs to listen to the music around 7:30 p.m. and there was truly a festive feel in the neighborhood as folks sat in our little park and on benches outside the stadium. Kids were playing in the traffic-free street. No pedestrians were stopped from freely walking on streets throughout the day. The NYPD did a great job of blocking thru-traffic, so the fear of an unruly mob tearing up lawns, strewing garbage and urinating didn’t happen.

A reader known as Superkitty87 sent Patch an email: “We are being told that we will not be allowed in the park during the concert. Furthermore, we will not be allowed out on the sidewalks or in the streets for the duration of the day. We will only be allowed to leave the neighborhood and return home to our apartments. We have every right to be there as we have been every day and will continue to be. We will not stand for this, so than an already overpriced tennis club can make more money.

A reader named Kitty commented: Sure, it must have been nice if you didn't leave your home, but myself and the other residents are outraged. We were denied access to Burns Street. At one point, there was a barricade out up right next to the park and no one from Burns was allowed to pass to get into the park. 

Patch wants to know: Did you attend the concert? If so, email your thoughts and photos to Nathan.duke@patch.com and we’ll add them to this story.