I pass that area a lot during the summer on my way to Rockaway Beach. Although the Howard Beach neighborhood is beautiful with large expensive homes, that weeded area with the trail is no place for a girl to be by herself, at any time of the day. I think the father had repeatedly warned her about it. I often see cars parked alongside it with people just hanging out, perhaps smoking pot or drinking.
The area is on the way to a high crime area of Rockaway known as Far Rockaway. The part I go to is well west of that (in Rockaway Park). Many Irish still there. Lots of cops and firemen. The Howard Beach area that the girl lived and was murdered in still has many Italians.
My Aunt/Uncle live in Howard Beach - Sicilians.