Making the rounds

Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. visited with the elders and youth of Astoria on August 10, when he attended two New York City Department of Parks and Recreation events.
Seniors spent the morning at the Astoria Park pool for the annual health and fitness celebration. The event included synchronized swimming, water games and an awards ceremony, during which the councilmember honored Anton Mariak, a longtime pool patron, for his service to the community.
Later in the day, Vallone joined dozens of neighborhood children, local community leaders and Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe to help water trees on Steinway Street. The event, which was a part of the city’s Million Tree Initiative, was held in order to promote the importance of maintaining trees during the sweltering summer season.
“We may have an initiative to plant one million trees in New York City, but that number could become 100,000 if we don’t water and maintain them properly,” said Vallone.
– Michael Pantelidis