A large group of volunteers gathered for a joint cleanup event at Juniper Valley Park on Sunday, Oct. 20, making it the largest effort to date focused on improving the small portion of the park near Pullis Farm Cemetery.
The event was organized in partnership with NYC Parks, the Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association, State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi.
Around 50 volunteers tackled various tasks, including raking leaves, watering plants, clearing a debris pile, spreading mulch and planting flower bulbs, which are expected to bloom next spring for the community to enjoy. The cleanup was part of an ongoing effort to maintain and enhance the park’s natural beauty.
Paul Pogozelski, one of the event’s coordinators, revealed that the primary motivation for this particular cleanup was to support Janene White, the steward of this portion of the park. White, who maintains the cemetery and about a dozen surrounding gardens, often works with limited assistance. “She’s the one who tries to take care of the actual cemetery and there are like 12 adjacent gardens,” Pogozelski explained. “I found out she has a limited amount of assistance.”
Pogozelski’s past street cleanups with Addabbo and Hevesi inspired him to bring attention to this park. “We had an opportunity to do another street cleanup, but because the districts don’t line up perfectly, we were having trouble finding another street,” he said. “I thought, this park is in both of your districts, and this lady could use major assistance because she’s trying to undertake a huge endeavor.”
White was awarded a Citation of Excellence in recognition of her dedicated service, along with NYC Parks Supervisor Aliah Kelly. Kelly, described as a “breath of fresh air” by local residents, has proven invaluable to the upkeep and management of Juniper Valley Park since joining a little over a year ago.
The event’s efforts covered approximately 10-15 acres, a significant aid to White, who routinely volunteers in this area. Reflecting on his experience, Pogozelski noted the limited resources of the NYC Parks Department and the vital role of volunteers in park maintenance. “Our ultimate goal is to get more of these younger kids involved. We can either move somewhere else or make the most of what we have,” he remarked, adding that his hope is to inspire these young residents to stay in the community and continue these efforts in years to come.
Looking ahead, more community events are planned, including a Veterans Day Daffodil Bulb Planting on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Glendale Vietnam Veterans Memorial Garden. Pogozelski added that anyone interested in volunteering at the park is more than welcome, as additional help is always appreciated. Event organizers are encouraging others to join the park’s volunteer force, whether for service hours or to contribute to its beautification.
For more information on how to get involved, follow MiddleVillagePropertyOwners on Facebook.
