Weeks of preparation. A beautiful autumn Saturday. A determined corps of eco-driven volunteers. Tools, bulbs, plants, mulch, and energy.
Foster Avenue Rescue Phase 1 is now complete. On the block between Ocean Avenue and E 21st Street, all trees have been pruned and protected by tree guards, the soil remediated, and spring bulbs and perennials planted. Big thanks to SMP President Virginia Levie for planning and organizing the project.
Prepping: Pruning, Pavers and Tree Guards: Big thanks to the prep team. Gary Mason and Joh Stislow built guards around five unprotected trees on the block. Aleyna Becker helped Virginia Levie with pruning. Peter Maloney and Stephanie Blackwood laid pavers to help prevent rainwater runoff.
Photos by Andi Zinn
Community Action Day: Planting and Mulching
A crew of 16 came out to plant 32 Liriope muscari plants and hundreds of daffodil and grape hyacinth bulbs: Alexander Ross, Alexander Udis, Aleyna Becker, Anne Dette, Calvin Walker, Christal Johnson, Darryl Halickman, Helen Englehardt, Janice Manning, John Webber, Peter Maloney, Stephanie Blackwood, Ty Campbell, and Virginia Levie. At the end of a long day, Romance and Chloe showed up to help with watering.
Alexandra Baltazurk worked the information and donation table, and Andi Zinn documented the day in photos.
Photos by Andi Zinn
We're grateful to NYCParks for supplying mulch, to our neighbor Ty for storing it, and to the Daffodil Project for bulbs. Shout out to the Our Lady of Refuge Church for supplying water and bathroom facilities, and most especially Mr. Erroll for help and encouragement. Our youngest volunteer--Romance--joined at the end of the day to assist with watering, provide beverages, and remind us that we are working for future generations!
Finally, a big thanks to our wonderful Pollinator members whose yard sales made this work possible. Stay tuned for future work on the five blocks of Foster Avenue that are still to be revitalized.
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