Planeview Park at LGA

[rtrader]

Anybody been taking photos at Planeview park at LGA lately. Approached by any police for spotting there?

[Futterman]

The last time I was there was a month ago, on April 10. I was there with Josh Akbar and my dad...a cop did roll up, but just to "say hi" and relax for a few minutes. No big deal.

Ther are occasional stores of excessive force at the park, figuratively speaking, but there really isn't anything to worry about. Go, have fun!


Brian

[UrbanExplorer222]

I was there today for a few hours. 2 cops passed by and saw me, and kept going. I did have the groundskeeper for the park come up in a lil yellow cart telling me that i "cant take pictures" and that the cops would "take my camera" I gave him an attitude and he drove off. I told him that ive been stopped before and all that jazz...he just thought he was the enforcer for the day

[LGA777]

Hi Bob welcome to the boards, one thing I keep hearing is when Air Force Two or some
other gov type VIP is coming in that's when there seems to be more problems, good luck buddy !

Ron Peel

[PhilDernerJr]

90% of my times at Planeview go without incident.

But I've had a couple run-ins that were less than perfect. One time a PAPD officer demanded I leave, minutes after an NYPD officer insisted that I stay. I was leaving anyway, but I stood up for myself a bit.

[SengaB]

I had a very minor encounter about 2 years ago at Plane View as well. I had been in the park just sitting there for about 30 mins and a NYPD explorer drives up and parks about 50 feet to my left. I keept shooing there the whole time and they didnt say a word. Eventually when they decided to leave they drive over and ask why I was taking pix. I told them and they said "oh ok". They then asked "why do you have to stick the camera through the fence" ((((((SIGH)))))))........then I gave them the classic idiot lesson on photography 101 and why fences are bad! They said great have a nice day and left. Didnt want to scare them and kept it simple!
Senga

[T-Bird76]

I finally managed to make my way down today as well, unfortunately for me I got there to late and only got five shots before they changed runways. It was nice to meet Urbanexplorer, so not a total lose.

[cancidas]

i've had a few run-ins with cops there, nothing major though.... usualy it depends on what agency stops you, and what credentials you have... 8)

[USAF Pilot 07]

Planeview Park from what I've experienced and heard is usually pretty uneventful.
The PAPD cops don't really bother you (except in Phil's case), and the NYPD seems to know the deal with spotters most of the time.
I've never been approached or hassled at Planeview. (then again I don't have some fancy huge camera).

It's when you get closer to the runway, such as that little grassy area right behind the runway, that you can get into trouble.

About 4 years back, Phil and I went there and were just sitting, and got kicked out by PAPD cops (only after about 20 had passed us on the service road in front of us).

[PhilDernerJr]

Yeah, that hill behind rwy 4 is MINT.

[Matt Molnar]

I had a bad Planeview experience today...I was heading there for the first time in several months, and they switched to 22 when I was about 3/4 of the way there. That made me sad. :(

[LGA777]

The grassy hill right behind 4 is very mint, but do to construction that area has been torn up for about 6 months and will probably be at least several months before they are done. That area is under PAPD control and I have been stopped and allowed to stay, other times told to leave even when I was in my uniform with LGA ID around my neck. For that location you are better off parking somewhere else and walking to it, even though you can park right there a vehicle draws unwanted attention to you being there.

LGA777

[PhilDernerJr]

Yes, I've seen that it is torn up as well.

Honestly, that is one spot that I urge people to NOT go to. It is just too in-your-face with police cars passing by every few minutes and I can't imagine it NOT causing trouble, maybe even hurting the reputation of us hobbyists.

I've spoken to Port Authority officials about that hill in the past, and they've specifically asked me to not utilize that for spotting at all.

[LGA777]

Phil, that's probably good advice, I did not realize the Port had informed you of that, point well taken !

LGA777

[cancidas]

i agree with phil on this one, the hill may not be the best place for everyone to go to hang out. it's a little close to the action as far as the PAPD is concerned. i've been there a few times before the construction and have yet to be booted. it's just not a good idea for everyone to go there.