Springtime in Jackson Heights will be a little more colorful next year now that a new type of flower will be planted in the two gardens outside of the post office located at 78-02 37th Ave.
Community members are invited to join the Jackson Heights Beautification Group (JHBG) this Saturday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. who will be planting allium bulbs, a violet colored flower with petals shooting out from a center, like the sparks of a chrysanthemum firework.
Like all of its efforts, the work of JHBG provides two different services: to enrich and beautify the neighborhood while also making it more environmentally sustainable.
“Kids are getting a little nature lesson here in Jackson Heights,” said former president of JHBG Len Maniace, about the post office gardens that 50 x 9 feet and attracted more bees, birds and butterflies to the surrounding area. Maniace has noticed countless passersby commenting on the garden and the wildlife it attracts. The garden also works to decrease overall temperature—which all plants, flowers and trees do—through transpiration or the evaporation of water through plant leaves.
The work of JHBG is in a way is keeping the neighborhood true to its roots. Although Jackson Heights is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Jackson Heights it does not feel that way, according to Maniace.
“There’s a lot of buildings here with front gardens, a lot of open space is part of the buildings,” said Maniace.
