Forest Hills Honors Spider-Man with ‘Spider-Man Way’ Street Naming Ceremony

New York has long been a backdrop for superhero tales, and few characters are as closely associated with a specific neighborhood as Spider-Man. While his web-slinging adventures span the entire city, his origins lie in a tranquil area of Queens. This week, that connection was solidified in a way that fans can now physically experience.

Forest Hills has been integral to Peter Parker’s narrative for many years. Readers discovered that this neighborhood was his home just a few issues into the comic series, with the address of Aunt May’s house, 20 Ingram Street, becoming a well-known aspect of Marvel history. Over the years, the actual street has attracted fans eager to witness the intersection of fiction and reality.

On Monday, October 12, this relationship was officially recognized. Elected officials, Marvel representatives, and numerous fans gathered at the corner of Ingram Street and Ascan Avenue to unveil ‘Spider-Man Way’, a permanent honorary street sign. While it is technically a co-naming of a section of Ingram Street rather than a complete renaming, the new sign makes the tribute unmistakable.

Ingram Street in Forest Hills has been renamed ‘SPIDER-MAN WAY’. Honoring its most famous fictional resident, Peter Parker. (🎥: NBC New York) https://t.co/Cac4CDDRcl

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) October 13, 2026

The dedication was part of an initiative led by New York City Council member Lynn Schulman, following advocacy from State Assembly member Sam Berger. Marvel’s Nick Lowe, editor of the Spider-Man comics, was present, along with Mark “Zen” Ditko, the nephew and godson of co-creator Steve Ditko. Their attendance connected the celebration directly to the creators of the beloved character.

Lowe expressed to ABC7 that it was “magical that this character created in 1962 still means something today,” highlighting the many children at the event. This sentiment captured the atmosphere of the morning, which blended nostalgia with the enthusiasm of a new generation of fans.

Spider-Man made his debut in 1962, thanks to the creative minds of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Forest Hills was introduced into the storyline in issue 7 of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ in December 1963, with the specific address revealed later. In 1989, hints appeared in the comics, first showing a change-of-address form with “Ingram Street” and a final zero, followed by “20 Ingram” in the subsequent issue.

Astute readers connected the dots, discovering it to be a real address on a picturesque street. The house is privately owned by Jack Shi, who welcomes fans visiting the site. He described the superhero as gentle, kind, and brave, noting that everyone admires him.

The real-life story has its own intriguing twist. A family named Parker resided at 20 Ingram Street for over three decades, long before the street became a destination for fans. According to a previous local report, the family was unaware of the coincidence until much later, and another neighbor pointed out that the Osborne name also appeared at a nearby address, a detail that delighted comic enthusiasts.

This kind of coincidence feels almost scripted, further enhancing the neighborhood’s reputation as the true home of Spider-Man. For many locals, the new sign simply formalizes what they have always believed.

Berger remarked that Spider-Man has been synonymous with Queens, particularly Forest Hills, for decades, emphasizing that residents aspire to embody the heroics they see. Locals echoed this pride. One young fan, soon to move to the area, stated that Peter Parker and Spider-Man mean everything to those who grew up in Queens, while another described the character as someone who never forgets his roots.

The ceremony was celebrated as a tribute to the “Kid from Queens,” a fitting nickname for a hero whose adventures have always resonated with a working-class, neighborhood vibe. It also serves as a reminder that Spider-Man’s charm lies in his relatability, which one fan encapsulated by saying that anyone can wear the mask.

The timing is particularly apt. Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker, also from Forest Hills in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, returned in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ on July 31. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film follows Peter as he tackles crime full-time in a city that no longer remembers him, featuring Zendaya, Sadie Sink, and Mark Ruffalo among the cast.

Reports indicate that the film is also set for a re-release with new footage, showcasing the franchise’s enduring strength. Coupled with the street tribute, it has been a remarkable time for the web-slinger in the borough that shaped him.

For visitors, the new sign provides a simple reward: a photo opportunity at the corner where a fictional boy from Queens finally has a street dedicated to him. It may also become another landmark on the map of locations where New York and pop culture intersect.

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