New York Junior League Completes Its 27th Park Revitalization for New York City
NEW YORK (PRWEB) May 29, 2018 -- The New York Junior League (NYJL) in conjunction with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation welcomed New York City residents to the newly renovated Corlears Hook Park and commemorated the revitalization project with a community celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
Suzanne E. Manning, President, New York Junior League; Liam Kavanagh, First Deputy Commissioner, New York City Parks Department; Michael Marino, President, Friends of Corlears Hook Park; Ted Pender, Vice President, Friends of Corlears Hook Park; Trever Holland, Community Board 3, Chair of Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Waterfront Committee; and Iris Quinones, Community Liaison for Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez cut the ribbon officially re-opening the park to the community. The celebration also featured family-friendly activities, including face painting, crafts, and seed planting, and healthy snacks for attendees and their dogs.
“We were ecstatic when we heard that Corlears Hook Park was selected by the New York Junior League and are completely overwhelmed by the transformation of the park,” said Marino. “No corner was left untouched over the five weeks of renovations and the benefit to the community will be seen for years to come. We could not be more grateful.”
Led by the New York Junior League’s Playground Improvement Project, an estimated 900 volunteers spent five weekends this spring repainting playground equipment, benches, and lampposts, as well as tending to garden beds located throughout the park, planting more than 1,000 new plants, and 15,000 square feet of sod. In total, volunteers gave approximately 5,000 hours to complete the renovation.
Additionally, in an effort to keep Corlears Hook Park litter free and help further the Mayor’s multi-agency pest reduction initiative, the NYJL installed eight solar-powered Bigbelly trash compactors in Corlears Hook Park, investing $33,305. In areas that are adequately supplied, the mailbox-style opening of these trash compactors has resulted in a 90% reduction in rats. The NYJL is committed to working with New York City agencies to promote a healthier, safer, and cleaner New York for all. Since 2014, the New York Junior League has invested $178,500 to install 45 Bigbelly trash compactors in six parks throughout the City.
Through park and playground restorations, the NYJL aims to provide children, residents of the nearby New York City Housing Authority, and all Lower East Side residents with safe, beautiful, well-organized, and educational play and outdoor recreation spaces.
The Playground Improvement Project is one of NYJL’s longest-running community initiatives. Since 1992, NYJL volunteers have designed, planned, funded, and completed 27 playground and park renovation projects throughout Manhattan.
2018 Corlears Hook Park, Lower East Side
2017 Jackie Robinson Park, Harlem
2016 Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem
2015 Columbus Park & Foley Square, Chinatown/Lower East Side
2014 Tompkins Square Park, East Village
2013 Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights
2012 East River Park, Lower East Side
2011 Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Lower East Side
2010 St. Nicholas Park, Harlem
2009 Morningside Park, Harlem
2008 JJ Walker Park & Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, Greenwich Village
2007 Seward Park, Chinatown/Lower East Side
2006 Jackie Robinson Park, Harlem
2005 Tompkins Square Park, East Village
2004 Highbridge Park, Washington Heights
2003 Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem
2002 Baruch Playground, Lower East Side
2001 Thomas Jefferson Park, East Harlem
2000 PS 125 Ralph Bunche School, Morningside Heights
1999 PS 194 Countee Cullen Literacy Academy, Harlem
1998 PS 197 Howard Bennett Playground, Harlem
1997 PS 2 Meyer London School, Chinatown/Lower East Side
1996 PS 146 Anna M. Short School, East Harlem
1995 PS 15 Roberto Clemente School, East Village
1994 PS 111 Adolf Ochs School, Clinton
1993 PS 169 Robert F. Kennedy and PS 226, Upper East Side
1992 Junior High School 47M, NY School for the Deaf, Gramercy
For more information about NYJL community programs, visit http://www.nyjl.org.
About the New York Junior League: The New York Junior League (NYJL) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Since 1901, the NYJL has been a leader in identifying and responding to unmet community needs. Through direct service, collaborations with other community organizations and advocacy, the NYJL provides a positive force for change within the communities it serves.
Each year more than 2,800 trained volunteers donate more than 250,000 hours of their time to better the lives of women and children in New York City. The NYJL works with more than 50 community-based organizations and public agencies to deliver services and assistance directly to women and children in need.
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Erica Viviani, New York Junior League, http://www.nyjl.org, (212) 606-0243, [email protected]
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