By Steve Mosco
Spring cleaning does not have to stay indoors now that a Queens state assemblywoman is giving residents a chance to beautify their neighborhoods.
Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) invites all community members from Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Queens Village and St. Albans to participate in the 18th annual Spring Cleanup/Beautification Day Saturday, May 5, at 8 a.m.
“We do not expect to clean the entire district in one day,” said Clark. “This event is the kick-off in hopes that the cleanup and beautification efforts will be sustained throughout the year.”
Residents interested in tidying up their neighborhood can pick up cleaning supplies, safety materials and planting supplies at the assemblywoman’s office, at 97-01 Springfield Blvd. in Queens Village.
Clark has organized the cleanup day for the past 18 years and said the beautification day embodies the spirit of community togetherness and builds alliances between citizens, businesses and government in a way that inspires everyone to roll up their sleeves and produce real results close to home.
“The cleanup day will bring members of the community together to improve their local environment,” she said. “I am encouraging everyone to take part in the event, no matter how big or small their contribution might be.”
The event is hosted in conjunction with The Home Depot in Springfield Gardens, the city Departments of Parks, Sanitation and Transportation, the Long Island Rail Road, Community Boards 12 and 13, the Cambria Heights and Queens Village civic associations, the Hollis Local Development Corp. and the Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network.
Clark met with officials from city and state agencies to request that they begin cleaning sites in major disrepair in advance of the annual spring cleanup day. Those agencies will concentrate on cleaning local roadways, parks and other large public areas, while volunteers will help clean and beautify public streets, open lots, schoolyards and other public spaces.
Civic and block associations, friends and families will join the efforts by cleaning and beautifying sites they have selected. Businesses will also be asked to participate by sprucing up their storefronts.
“I am happy that the community is able to partner with city and state agencies that have already begun cleaning large chronic sites throughout the community,” she said. “I am also pleased that The Home Depot in Springfield Gardens has committed to providing the community with supplies and tools for our cleanup and beautification efforts.”
For more information or to sign up, call Clark’s office at 718-479-2333.
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
