A Woodside neighborhood recently underwent a major makeover when City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer joined residents to help with a cleanup project. Van Bramer joined with members of New York City Community Cleanup, Community Board 2 and dozens of local volunteers.
Participants worked for nearly four hours to spruce up the neighborhood by painting over graffiti, repainting mailboxes, picking up litter and clearing streets of debris. The project focused on the area between Roosevelt and Woodside Avenues near 58th Street.
“This area is right in the center of the community,” Van Bramer said. “People live here and shop here every day and it deserves to be as clean as other areas.”
The cleanup was set forth after hearing complaints from many constituents about graffiti and garbage in the streets. Van Bramer’s office partnered with NYC Community Cleanup and ended up with more than 60 volunteers from surrounding areas.
“We’ve done cleanups like this before,” Van Bramer said, referring to projects such as the one in Queensbridge Park on August 14, “and it was time to do one right in the heart of Woodside.”
NYC Community Cleanup, a citywide initiative designed to help improve the look of neighborhood hotspots and eyesores, helps to create community service projects throughout the city. Queens Borough Manager Manuel Lariño said the program often looks to councilmembers for support, and Van Bramer met his offer with enthusiasm as well as a few ideas.
The section is a major transportation hub with the Long Island Rail Road running through the area in addition to daily subway and car traffic.
“Keeping it free of litter and graffiti is important for the overall appearance of Woodside,” said Lariño.
“It made a difference and I think people really felt good about themselves,” he said.
For more information about NYC Community Cleanup, visit their web site at www.cleanupnyc.org.
