QUEENS, N.Y. - On a beautiful fall morning in Long Island City, Barbara Etzel is doing some gardening. Not in her own personal garden, but one she says everyone should treat it as if it were their own.

“If everybody did a little something to contribute to the greater good we would have a beautiful beautiful city more beautiful than it is," Etzel said.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy helps maintain Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunter’s Point South Park 

  • Since June, more than 350 volunteers have filled 600 bags with weeds and garage

  • The conservancy also hosts programs and events including movies, concerts, fitness activities and children’s programming

Etzel is a member of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy. The not-for-profit helps take care of Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunter’s Point South Park adjacent to it along the LIC waterfront. Etzel tries to get out there twice a week to help with the weeding.

“I love doing it I get out of the apartment get away from the computer for a few hours get some exercise," she said.

Volunteers also help the group plant bulbs and pick up litter, whatever needs to be done to help out city and state parks department crews.

 

"I think we share in the parks and laying out in the sun walking this boardwalk here yeah I think it’s important to see it look good ,” said volunteer Mark Caltabiano.

The conservancy has been doing this since 1998. With more New Yorkers seeking outdoor space because of the pandemic and cuts to the city parks budget, the group’s work is more important now than ever before.

“Our parks were really seeing unprecedented usage since May and we really need their help and if we don’t have successful safe parks and green spaces in the community you don’t have a safe and growing community,”
said Hunters Point Parks Conservancy President Rob Basch.

Since June, more than 350 volunteers have filled 600 bags with weeds and garage.

The work itself a pandemic-friendly activity where New Yorkers can be socially distant without  distancing from their community .

“I think if you want to see a change around you and maybe you feel you’re not getting enough out of your community step out and see what’s around you," said volunteer Christina Esser.

The conservancy also hosts programs and events including movies, concerts, fitness activities and children’s programming.

For more information, visit HuntersPointParksConservancy.org.