Timothy Marshall,…
By Betsy Scheinbart
The Downtown Committee of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation earlier this month discussed plans for improvements in Jamaica Center, including park development, children’s programs and the expansion of small businesses.
Timothy Marshall, president of the Jamaica Business Resource Center at 90-33 160th St. noted the sharp increase in small businesses throughout southeast Queens. He outlined the services the business center offers, including a computer center, professional business advisors and a series of classes and courses.
Ernestine Ward, the Queens outreach coordinator for Partnership for Parks, stressed that parks are good for business as well as for residents and visitors.
“They have an economic element by making an area more attractive for businesses and economic expansion,” Ward said.
The partnership, an initiative of the New York City Parks Foundation and Parks and Recreation Department, works to develop programs and promote improvements like park cleanups. It recently started working with the Friends of Baisley Pond Park.
Nyam Smith, associate executive director of the Jamaica YMCA at 89-25 Parsons Blvd., told the committee about the many recreational and educational programs for children, teens and adults available at the Y.
Smith announced that the ninth annual Jamaica 5K/3K Walk will take place on Saturday, May 19, coursing through the streets of downtown Jamaica.
William Martin, the director of community relations for Verizon and chairman of the downtown committee, urged businesses, organizations, religious institutions, government agencies and others to form teams for the walk.
“I have participated and it is a lot of fun,” Martin said. “We get serious runners, but most just want to enjoy a run or walk through the area and show that they can do it.”
For more information about the walk, call Kim Patterson at the Jamaica YMCA at 739-6600, Ext. 112.
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300 Ext. 138.
