Civic association celebrates 50th anniversary

The Our Neighbors Civic Association of Ozone Park celebrated its 50th Anniversary on February 12.
Despite the snowfall and icy road conditions, a crowd of about 50 residents attended the cocktail party reception, held at the Christ Lutheran Church community center.
Well wishes were sent from the neighborhood’s elected officials, including Senator Serphin Maltese, Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer and Congressmember Anthony Weiner. Councilmember Joseph Addabbo Jr, who himself is a member, attended the event despite the weather.
Attendees were treated to food, fun and fellowship with longtime residents Jeannie Stuart and Louise D’Ambrosio putting together a photomontage of people and places that have made Ozone Park what it is today.
Eric Ulrich, the association’s president, praised the membership for their dedicated support.
“Tonight we honor our past, but we also celebrate our future,” said Ulrich. He went on to stress that even better days lay ahead for Ozone Park.
The association was created on February 6, 1958. They have been forwarding suggestions and complaints to elected officials for 50 years.
Starting last November, the organization has been working toward revitalization.
One new initiative that the community group plans is cleaning up the neighborhood’s graffiti. Ulrich also mentioned that with many new families moving into Ozone Park there was a problem of overdevelopment. He plans to combat the problem by planting more street trees. This would be covered under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 2030 plan.
“We need to start thinking bigger, no man is an island but we can work together,” said Ulrich.
Town Hall style meetings for the Our Neighbors Civic Associations of Ozone Park occur the first Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Christ Lutheran Church community center, which is on the corner of 86th Street and 101st Avenue.