May 1, 2017 By Jason Cohen
Residents will get to weigh in on issues pertaining to Long Island City’s waterfront parks Tuesday, with a focus on trash and the failure of park goers to put their dogs on leashes.
With the increase in Long Island City’s population, park usage has grown, bringing with it several problems.
Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, said residents are starting raise concerns about trash overflowing in the park, dogs not on leashes, noise, drug use and people in the park after closing.
In response to numerous complaints, the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy with the Hunters Point Civic Association will be holding a public meeting with the Parks Department tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the New York Irish Center, at 1040 Jackson Ave, to discuss these issues.
“We thought it would be a good time to bring all the parties together,” Basch said.
Basch explained that garbage cans are overflowing and that the park is often littered with trash. Ultimately, a place that allows people to relax and have fun is becoming an “eyesore,” he said. He suggested additional garbage cans, more trash pick-ups and people putting trash in cans instead of throwing it on the ground.
Security and other quality-of-life issues also must be addressed, he noted. Too many people allow their dogs to roam the park without leashes or let them go in places not designated for dogs. Also, people smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol in the park is not what the park was designed for, he stressed.
“It’s important to get everyone to work together to make it clean and safe,” he said.
The public is invited to the meeting and among the speakers will be: Norman Chan, park manager for Hunters Point South Park, Andrew Williams, park manager Gantry Plaza State Park, Frank Raffaele, CEO LIC Landing/Coffeed and Captain Forgoine, captain 108th Police Precinct.
