Saturday, May 22, 2010

Park Advocates Rally in Queens' CB 3 For Jackson Heights Play Street


Community Board 3 sided with park advocates in Jackson Heights to endorse the closure of 78th Street adjacent to Travers Park duing July and August so it can serve as a play street for the park-starved neighborhood. (Photo by Chauncey Alcorn)

QUEENS

After dozens of protesters marched into the meeting and spoke passionately in support of the measure, Community Board 3 members Thursday night voted to support turning part of 78th St., adjacent to Travers Park, into a two-month play street this summer, according to YourNabe.com.

The board voted 27-9 with two abstentions in favor of supporting the play-street application of Jackson Heights Green Alliance, a community advocacy group fighting for more park space, which rallied about 150 supporters throughout the neighborhood Thursday and marched them from 78th St. into the Louis Armstrong Middle School cafeteria where the meeting took place.

“Play Street! Play Street!” chanted the crowd as they cheered, clapped and stomped to show their support.

Officials from the city Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Fire Department, and the Police Department spoke in support of the play-street initiative, along with Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) and state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights).

Many were overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up to the meeting to support the cause.

“I want to applaud each and every one of you here tonight because this is the first time that I’ve seen a community board meeting this packed in a long time,” Peralta said. “I want to lend my support to Councilman Danny Dromm and the concept of extending that 78th St. play street. I’m here to urge the community board to consider this, vote for this, because it’s seriously needed in our area.”

Read More:
Park advocates rally as CB 3 approves summer play street in Jackson Heights
Your Nabe - May 21, 2010 - By Chauncey Alcorn

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