By Evelyn cheng
Flora and fauna from two borough parks and other greenspaces in the city are disappearing, prompting government action.
Together with Kissena Park Civic Association President Beverly McDermott, state Assembly members Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) and Grace Meng (D-Flushing) addressed the rising problem of wildlife poaching at a news conference in Kissena Park along Rose Avenue in Flushing Friday.
“I have seen pheasants being removed in shopping bags,” said McDermott.
The removal of park plants and animals — an illegal act punishable by a fine of up to $250 — goes back to as far as the 1980s, when McDermott saw people taking birds out of the park.
This summer poaching observations and complaints have increased significantly.
“We’re here to let you know that our parks are here for enjoying and not for eating,” said Lancman, who cautioned people not to use the greenspaces as their salad bowls.
But McDermott said she had seen cars bring crews of people with shopping carts to the Kissena Park Velodrome to gather plants, while mulberry trees have been destroyed by people jumping on the branches to harvest berries. She has also found snares set for rabbits and pheasants.
McDermott, who is known as the mayor of Kissena Park, said people have stolen nearly 800 bulbs intended for park use and have brought invasive species like bamboo into the park.
Lancman pointed out that some of the plants are not native to Queens and will not grow back once they are removed, endangering the fragile ecosystem. He also noted that some plants are not healthy to eat.
The problem lies not only with Kissena Park, but with many New York City parks, from nearby Bowne Park at 157th Street and 32nd Avenue to Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
With only three officers in all of Queens, apprehending poachers is difficult.
“The police do not police them,” McDermott said. “To have nobody in here at all is a joke.”
The city Parks Department plans to install signs reading “Please do not harm or remove wildlife” in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean around Kissena Lake within two weeks.
Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski also responded to complaints of turtle poaching at Bowne Park and encouraged individuals to report lawbreakers by calling 311.
But current park practice encourages rangers to counsel, rather than fine, poachers, resulting in widespread disregard of the law, Lancman said.
“It’s a policy issue,” he said.
