For the past four years, the Country Club Civic Association has been beautifying the neighborhood by cleaning up debris and graffiti.
On Sunday, October 20, about 15-20 volunteers rolled up their sleeves in the annual cleanup at the Country Club garden’s main triangle, located by Providence Rest Nursing Home on Dean Avenue and Stadium Avenue, where a newly installed community welcome sign with flowers and plants greet residents and visitors.
The addition of the welcome sign at the triangle was made possible by Partnership for Parks, a unique public-private partnership between the City Parks Foundation and the NYC Parks Department, that supports and champions neighborhood volunteers by giving them the tools they need to advocate and care for their neighborhood parks and green spaces.
The sign is currently surrounded by small shrubs and seasonal annuals. The group recently planted a stunning, colorful array of mums in full bloom.
The ground in the tree grove area that encompasses most of the island’s northern end, was recently dressed up with mulch to cover the sparse lawn that struggled for sunlight.
“Everything we do is through a membership and we receive some grant funding to help with the beautification of the area,” said Tom Potenzo, public improvement coordinator, of the Country Club Civic Association. “This is what our association stands for: communicating and helping to improve our local area.”
Councilman Mark Gjonaj also participated in the cleanup.
“Beautifying our neighborhoods is essential to the environment and our quality of life,” Gjonaj said.
Following the cleanup, the organization hosts its special ‘Thank you Luncheon’ for all of the volunteers.
“We just go out and beautify the area as much as we can for everyone who lives here,” said Angela Ryan, events chairperson, of the Country Club Civic Association. “Thank you to all of the volunteers that came out to help us to keep our neighborhood beautiful and nice place to live.”
