By Zach Patberg
Now they are itching for the real work to begin.To spread the word about their project, the Friends of Cunningham Park, a band of Fresh Meadows green-space enthusiasts, are holding a ceremonial walk Sunday through the parcel of wooded land they want to restore.According to Friends President Marc Haken, work on the preserve — bordered by Francis Lewis Boulevard, Union Turnpike, the Clearview Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway — has seen its ups and downs over the years.For about 1 1/2 years, the group had labor help from Queens College students. Then their professor and supervisor left the Flushing college, ending the student aid and leaving the project with a $38,000 grant but no work force. So Friends of Cunningham Park along with the Parks Department turned to volunteers, such as area Boy Scouts, Americorps members and young patrons from the local Mormon church.In August 2004, they applied and received technical assistance from the National Park Service's Rivers and Trails Program, which helped plan the renovation of more trails, park benches, signs and gravel grading. Worried that a recent cut in park service jobs by Congress might hinder their chances for application renewal, Haken said Friends wrote letters to U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer urging them to continue supporting park projects such as theirs.And now they will lead a walk at 10 a.m. through the preserve to promote their cause, having invited virtually every Queens official, from Borough President Helen Marshall and U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner to state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) and City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows). Why all the effort?”This is the only area of the park that looks like it did 1,000 years ago,” said Haken, comparing it to the rest of the 358 acres that have been modernized with ballfields and playgrounds. As an example of how well-preserved his “natural oasis” was, Haken cited the kettle ponds formed during the time when existing glaciers were blocked by surrounding hills, which incidentally, was how Hillside Avenue got its name.Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
