Elmhurst Sculpture Garden in Queens, New York

Per Atlas Obscura, a group of local artists in Queens—Susan Vario and Yvonne Shortt among them—turned a neglected strip of land beside the Long Island Expressway into a thriving sculpture garden. What began as a community cleanup effort, supported by a Burning Man Global Arts Grant, evolved into a gathering place. The garden features benches inscribed with an uplifting message: "Life can be an adventure, it's up to you." Sculptures include a red hippo and installations made from rope and shotgun shells. Though new artworks have slowed in recent years, the space remains active—neighbors gather there for cookouts and outdoor activities, claiming this unlikely pocket of green as their own.

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