The streets are now clear from Saturday's blizzard, but many parking spaces are not, so many New Yorkers are getting creative in parking their cars — risking tickets and fines.
Tahmid Masum would prefer to not be parked on the median dividing busy Woodhaven Boulevard. But he says he doesn't have a choice.
"There is no space for the parking so we have to park here," Masum said.
The space in question taken up by snow remaining from Saturday's blizzard, with some cars still stuck in the same spots they were before it all came down. The good news is that even though it's illegal to park on the medians, the NYPD has been using discretion when it comes to tickets and towing due to the massive amount of snow that fell.
"They didn't give me a ticket," Masum said. "Thanks God."
Neighbors say the practice of median parking has been around for a while on this stretch of Woodhaven in Rego Park out of necessity. Jose Charris says he would do the same but his car is still parked rather precariously across the street, not quite ready for removal.
"I gotta get a shovel," Charris said. "One of those metal shovels I got over here. But I have no time right now. Maybe later on I'll do it and now the car somewhere else."
Like maybe the median — some drivers like Edwin Ardila were relieved to get off the median and into a real spot opened up by melting snow.
"It difficult in the mornings because you have the kids to bring to school," Ardila said. "Walk a long distance to get the car."
So the days of leniency for drivers on the median may be numbered - until then, making your way off if it takes a plan on this major thoroughfare.
"You have to make some strategy," Masum said. "Look for cars. Pull out then."
And hope the drivers on the Bouelvard see you coming.