The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy



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Going Green in Queens
Saturday, March 24 2012
FMCP in Action
Digital Photographs by
Jim Jaffe, Director FMCP
(Click on any photo to view it larger)


L-R Sect'y Norma Stegmaier and Jean's Friend
Director Kim Ohanian
Gecko from Australia
L-R Sect'y Norma Stegmaier, President Jean Silva

Light Exhibitor
Mormon Serving Team
Exhibitors
L-R Treasurer David Kulick. Director Norma Stegmaier

FMCP President Jean Silva and NYFD Lt.
Director, Richard Hellenbrecht
NYFD CPR Exhibit
Treasurer David Kulick and Park Ranger

The FMCP in Action

Friday Evening the 23rd of February a small team  of members the Board of Directors of the FMCP Conservancy arrived at the new recreational center consisting of Norma Stegmaier, Kim Ohanian, Fred Kress, Jim Jaffe, David Kulick and Jean Silva our new President and began setting up tables and chairs. We were assisted by groups of teen agers who with their enthusiasm and vigor did a great job. One Saturday the 24th of March

 the first team arrived early and set up our table and assisted with the rest of the exhibitors getting things ready for the occasion. We worked in shifts and the result was a good time had by both the exhibitors and visitors. The FMCP Conservancy will be participating in as many events as possible to cooperate will all groups that support living Green!!
 

Dedication of Memorial Plaque of Patricia Dolan Late President of Kew Gardens Civic Association
 

     On Wednesday evening at the Kew Gardens Hills branch of the Queens Library system there was a dedication of a large bronze plaque memorializing the work and efforts of the late Patricia Dolan former President of the Kew Gardens Home Owners Civic Association, President of the Queens Civic Congress and the President of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy.

     The library was literally bursting at the seams with the amount of people who attended this ceremony. The dedication was hosted by Tom Galante, CEO of the Queens Library system. Attending were Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President along with State Senator, Toby Stavinsky, Councilman James Gennaro, Assemblyman Michael Samanowitz.  Patricia Dolan's best friend Norma Stegmaier who gave a short talk about she and Patricia and their joy of the library and the finding of "Virgin" books.

     The bronze plaque according to Tom Galante weigh about one hundred and fifty pounds and the image was rendered from a portrait photograph by Jim Jaffe, who besides being a member of the Board of Directors of KGHCA was a professional photographer and currently the webmaster of the KGHCA website. We were assured that the plaque will be in a prominent place at the new library with expectations of completion in two years. Patricia Dolan was a driving force in our community and will be sorely missed.

   


Digital Photo by Jim Jaffe

L-R Tom Galante, CEO Queens Library Senator, Toby Stavinsky, Councilman, James Gennaro, Marie Ovide Adam, CB8
Digital Photos by Jim Jaffe
 

L-R Assemblyman  David Weprin, Norma Stegmaier, KGHCA, Harold Baron, KGHCA, Richard Hellenbrecht, QCC
Digital Photos by Jim Jaffe

Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz
Digital Photos by Jim Jaffe
 
 

Important Notice
Eastbound Long Island Expressway
exit ramp to
College Point Boulevard
Queens Community Board No. 8 December 20111
 

Beginning January 5th and continuing for three weeks, the New York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will work on the exit ramp from the Long Island Expressway to College Point Boulevard. The box beam barrier protecting exiting traffic at this location is often struck requiring frequent repairs. DOT Bridge Maintenance crews will close the ramp on the following days and times:
Ramp Closed: 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays
January 4111 and 6th
January 11th and 13th
January 18th
 

Motorists wishing to access the northbound Van Wyck Expressway are directed to continue east on the Long Island Expressway to the next exit (Main Street). Off the Main Street exit, turn left and proceed north on Main Street to Booth Memorial Avenue. Turn left onto Booth Memorial Avenue and continue on Booth Memorial Avenue to College Point Blvd. The entrance to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway is on the right.
Alea Gillead of the office of Community Affairs is available to provide information about this project at 212-839-6306 or AGillead@dot.nvc.gov. or all NYC non-emergency services, including inquires regarding NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give your name, the borough of the project, and a return phone number,
 

 

 

Important Notice
Eastbound Long Island Expressway
exit ramp to
College Point Boulevard
Queens Community Board No. 8 December 20111
 

Beginning January 5th and continuing for three weeks, the New York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will work on the exit ramp from the Long Island Expressway to College Point Boulevard. The box beam barrier protecting exiting traffic at this location is often struck requiring frequent repairs. DOT Bridge Maintenance crews will close the ramp on the following days and times:
Ramp Closed: 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays
January 4111 and 6th
January 11th and 13th
January 18th
 

Motorists wishing to access the northbound Van Wyck Expressway are directed to continue east on the Long Island Expressway to the next exit (Main Street). Off the Main Street exit, turn left and proceed north on Main Street to Booth Memorial Avenue. Turn left onto Booth Memorial Avenue and continue on Booth Memorial Avenue to College Point Blvd. The entrance to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway is on the right.
Alea Gillead of the office of Community Affairs is available to provide information about this project at 212-839-6306 or AGillead@dot.nvc.gov. or all NYC non-emergency services, including inquires regarding NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give your name, the borough of the project, and a return phone number,
 

 

 

Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Makes Donation to Queens Library


 

The Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association  has donated $4,000 to the Queens Library for book purchases at the Kew Gardens Hills branch, KGHCA president Patricia Dolan announced on Thursday . The Queens Library Foundation is matching the civic's gift, which will also benefit the Kew Gardens Hills branch.


 

"KGHCA is pleased to make this donation, made possible by the support of hundreds of local residents, which expresses the community's support for the Kew Gardens Hills branch.  We are especially pleased that the Queens Library Foundation is able to match the donation, making a total of $8,000 available for book purchases for the Kew Gardens Hills branch.  It is shameful that the City' budget cutting has forced the Queens Library to suspend book purchases.  Another round of budget cuts beginining on July 1 could force service reductions and even shutdowns of local libraries.  We are counting on local elected officials like Senator Stavisky and Councilman Gennaro for their continued support for Queens's libraries," said Dolan.

Kew Gardens Hills residents are looking forward to the groundbreaking in the fall for an expanded library, for which Queens Borough President Marshall is providing funds.

 


Digital Photo by Jim Jaffe, Director, Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association
L-R Tom Galante, CEO Queens Library, Diana Chapin, Executive Director of Queens Library Foundation,
Patricia Dolan, President Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association, Senator Toby Stavinsky, NY State Senate,
Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President, James Gennaro, NY City Council,
Charles Henry, Treasurer Kew Garden Hills Civic Association

Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Honors all Veterans with a Plaque on Memorial Day May 30, 2011


Digital Photograph by Jim Jaffe
Plaque Placed on Boulder at 73rd Avenue Memorial Day 2011


Digital Photograph by Jim Jaffe
L-R Norma Stegmaier, KGHCA Patricia Dolan, President KGHCA
Israel Glaser, KGHCA

 

 

The Urban Rangers and the FMCP Conservancy are sponsoring Willow Lake natural area tours on Saturday Nov 5 and Sunday Dec 11.

Nov 5--meet at 10AM at the Al Mauro Playground--Park Drive East & 73 Terrace.
 

Dec 11--meet at 10AM at 72 Road and the GCP service road--the park overlook.

For info, call 718 539-8462.
 
 

 

 

Parks Links In The News

The Wonkster on Parks

Parks Reports

This Month's Story...
City Rules Could Transplant Gardens
By Eliza Ronalds-Hannon

While New York City adopts increasingly progressive measures to promote sustainability, at least one "green" group remains unsatisfied. Some community gardeners, charging that the most recent city regulations leave them largely unprotected, fear their plots of land could be snatched away at any time.

The rules enacted in September 2010 do not permanently protect existing gardens as an earlier agreement did. Instead, the city has reserved the right to swap the protected gardens for other similar space. That and other caveats outweigh any theoretical increase in protection, advocates say.

"We all hoped that the rules would say active gardens would be preserved, but they didn't," said Hannah Riseley-White, of the Green Guerillas. "When you read the text, it really says the gardens are protected, unless we want to sell them."

Even more importantly, many gardeners believe, all city gardens ultimately remain in jeopardy because none of the legislation they sought made it into the 2010 agreement. Without laws to protect gardens, those who work on them say, nothing is guaranteed.

"Rules and regulations are only as good at the current administration," said Karen Washington, the president of the New York City Community Garden Coalition. "That's not permanency."
 

To read more, go here.

Parks Links In The News

Early Snow Could Cost Central Park 1,000 Trees (11/1/2011)

After Storm, Central Park Sprints to Get Ready for Marathon (11/1/2011)

Most City Parks Earn High Marks (10/31/2011)

Concerns Over Maintenance Costs for Bloomberg's Million Tree Initiative (10/19/2011)

Protestors Asked to Leave for Cleaning, Then Abide by Rules on Return (10/13/2011)

More Parks links ...

Recent "Wonkster" Blog Posts

Breaking news and views on New York policy and politics

Recent Parks Reports
(Many reports are in .pdf format)

Enhancing the Waterfront (10/8/2010)

Grading Artificial Turf (7/6/2010)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ranger programs at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park from July - Sept 2011

  


Park Ranger showing how to Paddle



 


Handing out Life Vests


Ain't Life Grand?????


USTA serves up fourth arena

By JOHN DOYLE and CHUCK BENNETT

Last Updated: 5:00 AM, March 28, 2011

Posted: 1:18 AM, March 28, 2011

Billie Jean King is getting a makeover.

The Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park, the site of the US Open, will get a brand-new 3,000-seat stadium to complement its three existing arenas, the United States Tennis Association said.

The Parks Department refused to release the preliminary designs for the new facility, but said it wouldn't require any public money and would not change the current borders beyond the 46.5 acres the tennis center already has.

It's unclear if any of the 30 public courts would be bulldozed to make room for the new facility.

Neil Miller

WHEN IT RAINS: These hearty fans, sitting through a rain delay at last year's US Open men's final, will soon have a brand-new, privately financed 3,000-seat stadium to take in matches at the Flushing tennis tournament.

"The lease holder has the right to make capital improvements. That's what is going on here," said Parks Department spokeswoman Vickie Karp.

The new stadium could be ready for side matches at this summer's US Open and will definitely open by 2012, said USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier.

But the project still needs approval from the city Design Commission, which oversees public lands.

"This stadium is not creating more free recreational opportunities for public use on what should be public parkland," said Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates. "I would prefer more public-use facilities such as tennis courts or basketball courts instead of concession space."

The USTA pays the city about $1.5 million a year to rent the park space. The stadiums, except for the US Open and a handful of other tennis matches, sit empty the rest of the year.

chuck.bennett@nypost.com

Gates Open to Willow Lake August 18, 2010

Parks Opens the Gates to Willow Lake

Photo by Daniel Avila

On August 18, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Council Members Karen Koslowitz and James Gennaro, members of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy and community members cut the ribbon on new gates that will serve as a formal entrances to Willow Lake.

Thanks to allocations of $200,000 from Council Member Koslowitz, $150,000 from Council Member Gennaro and $35,000 from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the decorative gates provide entryways to the public for guided tours of the lake. In addition, the FMCP Conservancy has secured funding to build a bird blind in the area and create a garden at the entrance of Mauro Playground.

Currently, Parks' Natural Resource Group is restoring Willow Lake so access is limited, pending the project's completion. The restoration project of Willow Lake began in Spring 2009, and includes the removal of phragmites and other invasive plants, amending soil, and planting almost 13,000 native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to improve biodiversity, hydrology, and ecosystem function around the lake. The Willow Lake Reforestation project is being done in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2011.

"Best Of" Skate Park Breaks Ground Near Unisphere"
 Courtesy of K. Jacob Ruppert Esq.  April 4, 2010

 

 

Earlier this week, construction got started on a new skate park near the 1964 World's Fair site in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The 16,000 square foot course, which is being built above the old Astral Fountain, will feature elements from around the city: "Original Brooklyn Banks 9-stair replica rail; Union Square rail/steps Police Plaza 7-stair rail/various stairs; Ziegfeld ledge; Chrystie Park ledge; Exchange Place street gap; JFK Banks; Con Ed Banks; Pyramid ledges; Flushing Meadows Park ledge-over-the-grate replica."

The skate park is being created in anticipation of a skateboarding competition, the Maloof Money Cup that will take place June 5 and 6. The Maloof Money Cup donated the park through the NYC Parks & Recreation Department's Adopt-a-Park program, and Joe Maloof, whose family owns the Sacramento Kings basketball team, said, "New York was first on our list of expansion markets because its the headquarters for skateboarding on the East Coast and is home to some of the most iconic skate spots in the world. With the Brooklyn Banks now closed for four years and the Unisphere set to close indefinitely, the timing was perfect for us to bring the Maloof Money Cup to New York City."

 

New bird watching shelter built

 

 
Queens Courier,  Wednesday, May 20, 2009 2:33 PM EDT
 
When a group of Queens civic leaders organized the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy in 2002, they made promoting the park’s unique environmental features a major priority.

Since then, they’ve been working with Estelle Cooper, the park’s administrator, to improve the second largest park in the city. On Saturday, May 9, the group dedicated their first “bird blind,” an environmental observation post in the park.

The small wood structure was inspired by similar blinds at Gateway and Alley Pond Parks. “The Conservancy is tremendously grateful to the New York City Environmental Fund for funding this very special structure,” said Conservancy founder and former chairman Richard Hellenbrecht.

The structure, and another to be erected at nearby Willow Lake, were designed by Kew Gardens Hills resident Ed Fischer.

The conservancy works with the Urban Parks Rangers on monthly tours of the Willow Lake natural area, numerous model shoreline restorations and an environmental education project at Meadow Lake.

Shown here, conservancy members discuss environmental progress.

 


L-R Ed Fischer, Pat Dolan Pres FMCP, Tony Avella, Councilman
Photo by Jim Jaffe
L-R NA, Matt Symons Park Mgr, Estelle Cooper Deputy Park Commissioner
John Lieu Concilman, James Gennaro Councilman
Photo by Jim Jaffe
L-R Ed Fischer, David Kulic Treasurer FMCP, Pat Dolan Pres FMCP
Deputy Park Commissioner, Matt Symons Park Mgr
Photo by Jim Jaffe
 

 

Queens Greening/2009 featured a  workshop on the ecology of Meadow Lake and Willow Lake sponsored by the Conservancy. Dr. Peter Schmidt of the Queens College school of earth sciences was the presenter

L-R Richard Hellenbrecht, Dr. Peter Schmidt, Patricia Dolan, David Kulick

 


Ducks enjoying the spring weather on March 29

 

 
 

 

City seeks grant money to fix World's Fair landmark New York State Pavilion

BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Wednesday, September 17th 2008, 9:25 PM


Hagen for News

The New York State Pavilion, with its space-age design, was built for 1964 World's Fair but now sits in disrepair.

After decades of neglect at the New York State Pavilion, the city wants the 1964 World's Fair icon added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it eligible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in rehab grants.

The move follows months of activity at the long-decaying structure, where workers lowered broken, loose elevators in July and are now patching concrete on the three towers and the columns of the Tent of Tomorrow rotunda.

"It's really an exciting time for the pavilion," said John Krawchuk, the city Parks Department's historic preservation director. "We're very positive about its future."

Preservationists praised the city's quest for state and federal funds, which may help pay for efforts to stabilize the pavilion and save a terrazzo map of New York State on the rotunda floor.

The state Historic Preservation Office - which approves sites for the register - called the pavilion a "nationally significant resource" in a 2003 letter to the city, and is "interested" in listing it, spokesman Dan Keefe said.

But Queens civic leader Greg Godfrey wondered why the Parks Department didn't push for city landmark status, which would bar major alterations and demolition at the pavilion.

"It doesn't make much sense," said Godfrey, president of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park World's Fair Association.

Krawchuk responded that city landmarking is "always a possibility," but takes much more time and effort than applying for the national register.

The city Landmarks Preservation Commission is reviewing the pavilion, said agency spokeswoman Lisi de Bourbon.

Designed by famed architect Philip Johnson, the pavilion's space-age design made it an unofficial symbol of Queens - along with another 1964 World's Fair relic, the Unisphere.

But the impressive edifice fell into disrepair after the fair ended in 1965, with vandals picking away at the New York State map and cracks developing in the towers and columns.

Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, said the city's move to put the pavilion on the national register signaled sincere interest in restoration.

"People have been talking about wanting to save it since pretty much the World's Fair," Bankoff said. "I would view it as a step in the right direction."

 

 

 



Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Dedication of a Sign at Meadow Lake by Senator Frank Padavan  June 10 2008



Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (Meadow Lake)
Local Boy Scout Troop with Senator Frank Padavan helping clean up Meadow Lake May 17 2008

 


 

 

 

Conservancy and Park Celebrate Earth Day With a Canoe Ride

Earth day was celebrated by the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy along with the Urban Park Rangers and the citizens of our community by attending a "Canoe Ride" at Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Under the supervision of  Sergeant Howward Kreft who is the supervisor of the Queens Urband Park Rangers, memmbers of the Queens community A canoe ride. Sunday morning at 11:30 members of the Queens community and their children gathered at the southern end of Meadow lake and signed up for a canoe ride the first ever given in celebration of "Earth Day".

"To View Full Sized Photos "Click" on them Click the back button on your Browser to return to this page"


Waiting for the canoe ride
Signing Up
Checking things out

Handing out Life Vests
Showing how to adjust Life Vest
This is how you paddle

Oops the canoe rolls over
All is well and now in the water
Another successful lanuch

Isn't the lake wonderful???		  
Dave Kulik "Treasurer" FMCP soncervancy in Kayak

 

Park Rangers Take Residents Out For a Canoe Trip!
To display full size click on photo


Photo by Edward Fisher
Photo by Edward Fisher
Photo by Edward Fisher

During the later days of August, our Flushing Meadows-Corona Park rangers took residents of our fair borough of Queens out in canoes and led them paddle their way from Meadow lake (formerly the "Blue Lagoon" of the World's fair to Willow lake which is on the other side of Jewel Avenue and in the Federal Wildlife preserve.. The canoes and paddles and life jackets were supplied at no cost to those who participated in this event. During the fall months we should have some outings for "Bird Watchers and Leaf Peepers". These events will be announced here as well as on the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy site.. www.fmcpconservancy.org

 

 

PLAY…RELAX…ENJOY FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK

© 2011 FMCPConservancy.org

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