Meeting Announcement: Done, a Few Good Volunteer Painters Are Needed to Ann Price, Vice President Seal Them from the Weather

June 2016 A call to volunteer carpenters!!! Our wooden 2016 SGCA Board play house in the uppers and our 7 Train stage could use some care. After the carpentry work is Deb McGowan, President Meeting Announcement: done, a few good volunteer painters are needed to Ann Price, Vice President seal them from the weather. Finally, the bathroom Janis Kavanagh,Treasurer Please join us for the next General Mem- sink and counter in the women’s room are in need bership meeting on Monday 6/20/16 Zone 1 Reps: of repairs. Please keep children off of the counter at 7:30 PM at Sunnyside Gardens Park for their safety. Tom Farnham (weather permitting). Hurricane season officially starts in June, and Kathleen EspositoiMcAndrew Jeremy Kareken New York City tends to experience high winds in August through October, so please be aware that Zone 2 Reps: President’s Letter we may need to close the park due to a neighbor- Congratulations to the amazing event chairs, ing tree near the uppers. Our arborist, Urban Ar- Matthew Abbott volunteers and park staff who pulled together a borist, has warned us that this tree poses a threat, John O’Sullivan Kathleen Nesdale super successful Memorial Day Fair! Ana Morton, but because it is not on our property we can’t do Amanda Akyol, Tania Mohammad, Lauren Flynn anything about it. We have notified the owner and Zone 3 Reps: and Shalem Hughes organized a spectacular day will hope for the best. In the meantime, we are us- filled with good food, live music, rides, puppet ing Notify NYC as an alert system to let you know MaryAnn Joyce show, face painting, arts & crafts, and carnival about park closures. Soja Bobrow Dorothy Cavallo games. A special thanks to Jamie Knapp and his With the warmer weather comes our unwanted security team who kept the event safe for everyone. guests. Park staff will be putting Mosquito Dunks Phipps Management Rep: In board news, we want to thank Celena Rodri- into the standing water in the pool to attack mos- guez-Ditchev for being our Board Secretary and quito larvae. We could use some volunteers to put Bill Eichhorn volunteering her time and skill on the hiring com- out more mosquito traps. We’re also on the hunt Homeowners Rep: mittee. She is moving on, so our board is currently for the beehive that houses the bees that buzz near looking for a new secretary. Additionally, we are our gate. If you know how to wrangle these bees, Eileen Connolly looking volunteer Park Manager. Contact the park earn your volunteer hours and help keep our park office if you’re interested in either of these issues. safe. Inside this issue: The State of the Park: it’s getting hot! Unfortu- The great puddles at second and third base and nately, the pool will not be opening this summer the pitcher’s mound are gone with a special thanks From the President 1 as we continue to explore and process the renova- to Eugene Smith and his landscaping crew.. If you tion through the DOB of NYC. We have a small like baseball, a fun volunteer job is raking our in- Mother’s Day Plant Sale 2 group of volunteers working on a temporary water field, just like the professional ball fields. The park feature to supplement our play sprinkler. Would New Member Social 3 has a metal rake. If you have the time, we need you like to join in the fun of building a sprinkler? someone to rake the infield. It’s a good volunteer Memorial Day Fair 4-5 Refer to our website’s PARK SUPPORT page. job for a preteen. Repairs and maintenance are an ongoing job. June tends to be our busiest BBQ month. We Happy 90th 6 Thank you to John O’Sullivan & Kayvan Garhar- especially need gate check on the weekends and mat for fixing the wooden fence by the mainte- T-Ball 7 Friday evenings. From after school to sunset are nance shed and doing a patch repair on the fencing also times when gate check is helpful to staff. Hip to Hip 8 in the lowers. The white lattice and flower pots are Please be mindful when using the grills. There a beautiful new touch to the park. Thank you! ought to be a bottom grate that the burning coals Events Calendar 9 More fencing repairs need to occur as the main rest on. If your grill doesn’t have a bottom grate, Budget 10 support poles near 48 Street are rusting away. please notify staff and use a different grill in the We are currently looking for fencing contractors. meantime. Happy grilling!!! Writing Contest 11 Please send in your recommendations. For more painting, the retaining wall in the lowers needs See you in the park! Staycation 12 another coat of paint for beauty’s sake. If we have Thank You 14 any muralists in the membership, please make Debra McGowan yourself known. 2016 President

Page 2 Mother’s Day Plant Sale By Crista Giuliani

The Sunnyside Gardens “Mothers’ Day Plant Sale” Some plants were donated from GrowNYC about took place on May 7th, 2016 from 10am-3pm. a week before the plant sale. GrowNYC a city or- Despite that day’s overcast weather, the event was ganization promoting sustainability within the five a success, hosting approximately 20-25 custom- boroughs. Other plants were supplied by volun- ers at any given time throughout the day. The sale teers, who grew them in their own backyards be- featured a variety of vegetables including heirloom fore the sale. According to Kathy Scalzo (who has tomatoes, ladybell peppers, swiss chard, eggplant, been involved in the plant sale for 10 years), many and zucchini, in addition to flowers (both annu- of the volunteers selling the plants are gardeners als and perennials) and herbs like basil, calen- themselves. Kathy also explained the plant sale has dula, tarragon, dill, lavender, coriander, parsley, expanded to include recycled and reused prod- oregano and spearmint. The plants were selling at ucts. This year’s sale featured handcrafted dice a rapid pace, and by 11am some of the perennials made from reclaimed wood for playing Yahtzee on had completely sold out. Plants weren’t the only the lawn, recycled cook books, and garden signs thing for sale. There were also tables filled with made out of reclaimed wood. Martha Horgan was other goodies like cupcakes topped with vanilla the cashier for the day, and has volunteered in pre- and chocolate frosting, cookies, pieces of pie for vious years selling plants. Asked if she liked work- sale, coffee, fruit salad cups, orange cranberry ing at the Mother’s Day plant sale, she said “Yes, I bread, sweet potato pecan bread and quiche. love plants.” Page 3 New Member Breakfast By Malli Kamimura The Sunnyside Gardens Community Association enjoy many of the parks facilities and offerings. Rules welcomed the newest members of Sunnyside Gar- and policies discussed included the importance of dens Park during a breakfast held Saturday, May 14. wearing helmets, not bringing glass of any kind into Friendly conversation over coffee, bagels and donuts the park, and not riding bikes, scooters, etc., down the set the stage for a warm introduction to the park and entrance ramp. Rules on guests and use of the park for the community. large parties were also noted. The policies reflected a respect to honor the collective investment made by Participants gathered in the Picnic Grove Area as and for all members. Zone I Representative, Kathleen Esposito-McAndrew, kicked off welcoming remarks. Following initial intro- Volunteership was also emphasized as a vital part to ductions to board members and park staff, as well as the functioning and operations of the park. While brief introductions by over 40 new members in atten- members are required to serve 12 hours per year (or dance, Kathleen and Zone III Representative, Dorothy pay a fee of $15/hr), additional hours were encour- Cavallo, gave a brief history of the gardens. Proudly aged. Truly in the collective spirit, participants learned celebrating its 90th anniversary, the park was designed that a majority of responsibilities were taken on solely to be the social center of the community. As Kathleen by volunteers. In addition to existing opportunities to and Dorothy continued to share the park’s history as volunteer, ideas were also welcomed. Members were well as their own experiences, new members were invited to contact the board with any suggestions. folded in to a sense of pride in a community that has flourished over the years and continues to thrive by The conclusion of the event fostered conversations actively working together. amongst long-time and new members alike. The ro- An outline of rules and regulations (available on the bust turnout and affable interaction showed a glimpse park website) highlighted the importance of safety. of how a community like Sunnyside Gardens Park has SGCA Board Vice President, Ann Price, further endured and will continue for generations to come. stressed the attention to the safety of the children who Special thanks to everyone who participated and to our local Starbucks who donated coffee! Page 4 Memorial Day Fair By Sean Murphy

After enjoying 70 degree weather on Christmas day, fun were infectious as fairgoers ventured across our NYC limped through spring with sunshine making an three and a half acre park to enjoy rides, games, raffles, appearance about as often as Big Foot. There’s no doubt face painting and more. we were all in need of a catapult into summer, and what better way than the annual Sunnyside Gardens Park Kicking off the 7 Train Stage performances, Street Beat Memorial Day Fair! Brass Band belted out tunes ranging from Big Band clas- sics to a little “Ghostbusters.” The urge to climb the stage Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the park also saw tem- and join in the celebration was strong in more than one peratures approaching 90 when opening its gates to the toddler! The Street Beat boys continued with a New surrounding community on Saturday May 28th. Long Orleans style marching band performance through the time resident and park member Soja Bobrow put it park, passing the stage onto Sunnyside String School, best; “Such a beautiful day! No thunderstorms. No rain. Sunnyside Ballet Studio, Ronny Wasserstrom Playdate We’re so lucky and we really needed this. All of us!” Puppets, and Rogue The Magician. LIC Kids, Gantry Kids Fitness, Crossfit Sunnyside, and Big Apple Circus Remembering those who’ve died in service to our coun- also held demonstrations and contests throughout the try and the significance of it being more than just a 3 day park. weekend, the day began with the playing of our National Anthem and a flag raising ceremony with a local Marine The field was where the sun shined brightest and helped and some help from local Girl & Boy Scout troops. For- in highlighting some of the day’s biggest smiles. Rides, mer Marine James Knapp was instrumental in organiz- bouncy castles, and an FDNY engine ready for touring ing the opening ceremony, and we’re extremely grateful all decorated the outfield of the park’s baseball diamond. for his service to our country, our community, and in Waiting in line for a ride with her niece Roisin, Sun- helping us honor those we’ve lost. nysider Maura Ryan captured the feelings of the field’s target audience appropriately. “It’s amazing to have all of New Yorkers from near and far, including our Coun- this practically in our backyard. If you’re under 4 feet, cilman Jimmy Van Bramer, passed through the gate to no line is too long!” partake in our longest running tradition. Smiles and Page 5 Memorial Day Fair (cont’d) By Sean Murphy

As always, the success of our events relies on all the hard lar prizes for the raffles. These are both areas that really work put in by the event chairs and volunteer mem- help with the fundraising for the park.” bers. Ana Morton, Tania Mohammad, Amanda Akyol, Shalem Hughes and Lauren Flynn-Durbin worked tire- Thanks to all who helped bring in donations from the lessly to organize the day, while countless volunteers following businesses: Arriba Arriba, Aubergine Cafe, braved the heat to set-up and break down the park. And Big Apple Circus, Bookmarks Lounge, Captured Mo- of course every burger, cookie, and beer was served ments By Shubhra, Cemitas El Tigre, Clodagh Reade with a smile! Acupuncture, Dent-Care by Dr. Volkner, Donovan’s Pub of Woodside, European Meat Market, Farm2Table Plenty of local businesses chipped in as well to ensure Tacos, Gantry Kids, Google Play, La Adelita Restau- the day went off without a hitch. The Copper Kettle, rant, La Flor, La Huerta, LIC Kids, LIC YMCA, Man- The Dog and Duck, Vortex Hospitality, Market Crates, gal Kebab, Market Crates, Masso Restaurant, Montauk The Globe Tavern, Bar 43, Critical Mass Wines & Table Brewery, Mr. Chicken, Mundo New York, Museum of Wines, Lowery’s Wine and Liquor, and Jack’s Fire Dept. Moving Image, Nature’s Vida, Parrot, Pocco Restau- were among many who donated beer and wine for the rant, PR Hair Extensions/PR Hair Solutions, Pure Spa day’s festivities. & Salon, Quaint, Rockaway Brewing Company, Shake Shack, Simple Skin Spa, Skillman Pets, SoleLuna, Sun- And what would a fair be without prizes and raffles?! nyside Crossfit, Sunnyside String School, The Yoga Whether it be a night out on the town, health and well- Room, Transmitter Brewing, Trips to the Mouse, and ness restoration, or some good old pampering, the lucky Zum Schneider’s. winners walked away with an assortment of amazing offerings. Park President Deb McGowan lauded the dedication of all who contributed in making it an outstanding day. Although she had some initial concerns about fund- “The combination of a spectacular event chair team, raising for this year, event chair Tania Mohammad was, hard working volunteers, and prefect hot, sunny, weath- “amazed at the support of local businesses and mem- er equals a very successful event. None it of it was possi- bers who donated a ton of goods and really spectacu- ble without these amazing volunteers and event chairs.” Page 6

Happy 90th Birthday! By Nicole McDonnell

Green and white balloons marked the entrance to the was quite evident that we, as members, have more to Sunnyside Gardens Park on May 21st in celebration of celebrate than the front gate first swinging open on its 90th birthday. Inside the park, tables decorated in May 18, 1926. Fathers playing basketball with their coordinating tablecloths welcomed the membership kids, moms running after barefoot toddlers in the field, to join in the milestone fun, including a giant birthday families celebrating milestones of their own in the pic- card the children took a hand at decorating, a birthday nic area, the sound of laughter drifting from the sand cake complete with candles, and cups of refreshing area, gleeful screams escaping the lowers as children lemonade. everywhere tried their hardest to have fun and members of all different backgrounds clustering about in President Deb McGowan did an amazing job prepar- conversation, sharing in the day that even the threat of ing a trifold of pictures, newspaper clippings and rain couldn’t damper. promotional flyers showcasing the park, the Phipps and Jefferson Court from Alexander Bing’s vision in You just can’t help but marvel at the true sense of com- the 20’s to the memberships reconstruction in the early munity these almost three acres afford us. Member 90’s. As members stopped to view the memorabilia, Kelly O’Neill agreed, “one of the things I love about both Deb and Dorothy Cavallo were on hand to share this park is how much it reminds me of my own child- interesting facts and regale stories from years gone by hood, growing up in Jackson Heights in the 70’s, where regarding the parks and neighborhoods history. all the families on the block knew one another and looked out for one another. It was the norm back then Looking around at all the smiling faces gathered to and now, we have that here. With three kids, I don’t sing happy birthday to this wonderful institution, it think I could do it without this park and the help from those in it.”

Vice President Ann Price hopes to hang the ban- ner commemorating the park’s 90th birthday for the remainder of the year and would like to continue to document the park’s history. Ann would appreci- ate if our members could please look through their own family memories for pictures of the park before it looked like what we all know it as today and email them to the park office

Here’s to the next decade Sunnyside Gardens Park! We look forward to celebrating many milestones and creating even more memories within your gate. Page 7 JOY IN MUDVILLE By Paul Roer

Grey clouds threatened the Nick also talks about Sunnyside sky this morning, safety as main element of midseason here at Sunnyside the league. “Much of what T-Ball. The few dozen team- we teach them at this stage mates and parents on hand in their budding baseball glanced occasionally upward, careers revolves around but for the most part, the how to use the gear and focus was on the game. the participate in the activities in a safe manner.” Mark, father of the team’s third basemen and lead off Michael, Olivia’s dad loves batter Charlie, has seen a lot coming out to the park of progress in the first few on Sundays to mingle weeks of the season. “The Team waiting to bat, by Paul Roer with other parents and kids barely knew how to hold watch his daughter learn a bat when they started. Now, they’re swinging for the new skills. “What I like most is they learn to wait their fences. It’s great to see how all of them enjoy the sport turn,” says Michael with a grin. and playing together.” The menacing clouds eventually turned into strong Watching her youngest son James field a ground ball, enough rain that left the teammates, parents and Michelle knows firsthand the benefits of Sunnyside coaches scurrying to the exits early. But there was joy T-Ball. “My two older sons Nicolas and Thomas both in our little Mudville as everyone looked forward to play starring roles in their respective age groups. And reconvening next week and to the pizza party on the if it weren’t for their experiences in the T-Ball league, 26th. they might be benchwarmers or not even interested in playing at all.”

Coach Nick has continued coaching the team this year despite the fact that his kids are now too old to play. “For me, I love to instill the spark for the love of baseball in these youngster. When you see their first great throw or catching a fly ball, it really brings a smile to your face.” Page 8 Hip to Hip Returns By Jessica Sherman

Once again, Sunnyside Gardens Park is privileged to This year the Marrs are excited to get back to their feature high quality, homegrown Shakespeare in our roots with a new production of As You Like It as well as very own park. Since 2006, Woodside residents Jason Julius Caesar. Their performances include great period and Joy Marr having been bringing Shakespeare to costumes and take place on a specially commissioned Queens with free productions in area parks. It started touring stage set up in each park. Most specially, the with a small local production of As You Like It and has Marrs stick to their initial goal of bringing culture grown to a full-scale theatre company called Hip to and theatre to all. That means even your kids are very Hip Theatre Company, bringing family friendly, high much welcome to every performance! So bring the quality open air productions to folks all over the NYC family to their performances at SGP August 5th and area. Each year brings a longer tour schedule and per- 12th. Pack up a snack, bring a blanket to sit on and formances to new venues. Last year they performed in come early for the kid friendly pre-show before every the Fringe Festival in Manhattan and added shows in performance. If you can’t attend the shows at our park, the Bronx, besides also performing in the Hamptons make sure to attend on the many other shows they will and Jersey City. Almost 8000 people attended shows put on throughout the borough. You can get more in- during the 6 week tour of the area and it all started formation on Hip to Hip at http://www.hiptohip.org/. with one show in Sunnyside many moons back. Page 9 SGCA 2016 Calendar of Events March 19, 2016 Easter Egg Hunt (Sat) March 21, 2016 General Membership Meeting URNA SEMPER May 7, 2016 Mother’s Day Plant Sale (Sat) May 14, 2016 New Member’s Breakfast #1 ! May 16, 2016 General Membership Meeting ______! Looking to take Pilates Mat Classes in the May 18, 2016 Memorial Day Fair (Sat) Sunnyside area? Take with instructor Jennifer Radcliffe, June 11, 2016 Father’s Day Campout (Sat) All levels are welcome! June 20, 2016 General Membership Meeting www.pilateswithjennifer.com June 28, 2016 Out of School BBQ (Tues) July 16, 2016 Summer Social / Firefly Night (Sat) July 26, 2016 Shakespeare Dress Rehearsal (Tues) August 5, 2016 Shakespeare in the Park (Fri) August 12, 2016 Shakespeare in the Park 2 (Fri) TBD Star Gazing September 17, 2016 Flicks in the Garden (Sat) September 10, 2016 Yard Sale (Sat) October 1, 2016 Oktoberfest (Sat) October 4, 2016 General Membership Meeting October 29, 2016 Halloween Party (Sat) November 5, 2016 Chili Bowl (Sat) November 20, 2016 Tailgate (Sun) December 3, 2016 Holiday Boutique (Sun) December 19, 2016 General Membership Meeting

Attention Writers! Annie Frisbie, Spark Editor, [email protected] The Spark is always looking for reporters, writers, and photographers, and we’re offering lots of ways for you to use your love of words and pictures to earn volunteer hours. We “pay” ½ hour per paragraph for articles and event coverage, and ½ hour for one event photo or 1 hour for 3 event photos. If you are planning to attend an event and would like to cover it for Spark, please reach out to me directly (annie- [email protected]) and I’ll get you going. You can also ask at the park office or talk to the event chair and they can sign you up and put you in touch with me. We would love for someone to cover the upcoming Memo- rial Day Fair. Since this article will be for the June issue of Spark, this is a great way to get started on your hours for the new park year. I also welcome your article pitches for new content for Spark. If you have an idea for a piece that would benefit our wonderful community, please let me know!

Avery 5371 Page 10 SUNNYSIDE GARDENS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

April 1, 2016- March 31, 2017 BUDGET REVENUE ACTUAL 2014-2015 ACTUAL 2015-2016 BUDGET 2016-2017

Dues $161,096.00 $144,482.00 $160,000.00

Volunteer Hours $20,263.00 $16,463.00 $20,000.00

Tennis $5,480.00 $5,611.00 $6,000.00

BBQ $17,535.00 $18,494.00 $20,000.00

Contributions $3,500.00 $7,505.00 $7,500.00

Vending $98.00 $292.00 $1,000.00

Festivities $50,810.00 $50,454.00 $55,000.00

Initiation Fee $10,146.00 $11,444.00 $12,000.00

Spark Ad $1,400.00 $1,448.00 $1,600.00

Field Rentals $2,860.00 $4,015.00 $4,000.00

Interest $647.00 $67.00 $400.00

$273,835.00 $260,275.00 $287,500.00

EXPENSES ACTUAL 2014-2015 ACTUAL 2015-2016 BUDGET 2016-2017

Festivities $31,000.00 $25,149.00 $30,950.00

Ofﬁce Supplies $2,071.00 $1,010.00 $1,000.00

Credit Card Processing $4,848.00 $3,540.00 $3,600.00

Technology $1,072.00 $1,080.00 $1,000.00

Insurance $18,000.00 $18,699.00 $18,500.00

Payroll $82,905.00 $72,534.00 $90,000.00

Recreation Equipment $3,975.00 $3,976.00 $5,000.00

Payroll Serivce $2,946.00 $2,957.00 $3,000.00

Accounting $3,600.00 $3,600.00 $3,600.00

Background Check $1,143.00 $381.00 $300.00

Utilities $17,179.00 $16,804.00 $17,000.00

Vending $586.00 $0.00 $0.00

Taxes $462.00 $850.00 $500.00

Capitol Improvement $47,511.00 $32,889.00 $62,550.00

Maintenance $38,599.00 $45,459.00 $38,000.00

Total $255,897.00 $228,928.00 $275,000.00

PROFIT/LOSS $17,938.00 $31,347.00 $12,500.00

1 Page 11

SUNNYSIDE GARDENS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017

Playground Equipment $14,532.00 $32,889.00

Park House $2,279.00

Retaining Wall/ Drain $9,800.00

Asphalt on Bike Track $20,900.00

Steam Heating Repairs $1,000.00

Pool & Drain Repairs $3,000.00 $12,000.00

Note: Two Year project with $15,000 in 2017-2018 budget

House & Ofﬁce repairs $4,000.00

Play Sprinkler Project $50,000.00

Note: Two Year project with $50,000 in 2017-2018 budget

Total $47,511.00 $40,889.00 $62,000.00

KID 12 OR UNDER? WANT TO WIN A FREE EVENT BRACELET? By Tai McShane The park is a place where many good memories are made. Cartwheels in the grass. Pick up games in the ballfield. Weekend cookouts. Monkey bars! So what are your best memories or favorite things to do at the park? Put it in writing and you can have a chance to win an all-access bracelet to Oktoberfest!

Kids 12 and under are invited to enter this year’s essay contest. The theme is Favorite Park Memories. Write about your favorite park memory or your favorite things to do at the park. Please include a drawing illustrating your ideas.

1/2 page for children up to age 7 *plus cover page with drawing* full page for children up to ages 8&9 *plus cover page with drawing* full page for children ages 10-12 *plus cover page with drawing*

Please submit a handwritten essay on looseleaf paper (wide ruled is fine) A winner will be selected in each age group. Submissions are due at the park office by MONDAY -AU GUST 29TH Winning essays will be published in SPARK’S OCTOBER ISSUE 2 Page 12 Stay-Cation Anyone? Ten Great Reasons to Love Local Living in June and July By Rob MacKay

Aaaah, summer in the city. The heat. The humidity. farm atop the commercial building at 37-18 North- The mass exodus every weekend! Well, SPARK readers ern Boulevard, hosts an illuminating dinner at 7 pm. know that the weather is always wonderful – and the Butcher Bar provides the hot dogs, baked beans and fun always abounds -- inside Sunnyside Gardens Park. corn. Then at 9 pm, fireworks light the sky with the Now, SPARK goes outside the gates and shares some Midtown Manhattan skyline in the background. (This free reasons to stay in Western Queens during the is a paid event. brooklyngrangefarm.com) upcoming months. Enjoy Bliss Find Waldo The Sunnyside Shines BID presents three-hour chil- This star of children’s books is hiding in 25 businesses dren’s activities at two spots. Bliss Plaza, which is under in Astoria and Long Island City in July. In other words, the 7 train at Queens Boulevard and 46th Street, hosts the scavenger hunt is on! Find him, collect store a chess fest with a huge board on June 17 at noon and a stamps, and win prizes. The fun ends with a Waldo mini-library on June 24 at noon. Lowery Plaza, located celebration at the Astoria Bookstore on July 31. (astori- under the 7 train at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard, abookshop.com) stages a fitness day with jump-roping and yoga on June 18 at 10 am and a hip hopera on June 21 at 4 pm. (sun- Light the Night nysideshines.org) Sparks fly twice. On June 30, the Queens Symphony Orchestra gives a free concert on the Astoria Park Make a Splash Lawn at 7:30 pm. Immediately afterwards, Grucci pres- It’s an acre of chlorinated water. It’s open from 11 am ents a fireworks show. (centralastoria.nyc) to 7 pm with an hour break at 3 pm for cleaning. And Meanwhile on July 4, Brooklyn Grange, the working swim diapers are allowed. Astoria Pool, located at Page 13 19th Street and 23rd Drive, is a great place to get wet. Smell the Flowers Swimming lessons are offered all summer long. (nyc- For the love of botany and Latino culture, check out govparks.org) the Festival de las Flores near the Unisphere in Flush- ing Meadows Corona Park on June 25. This free, Walks in the Park family-friendly event has a distinct Colombian influ- Socrates Sculpture Park was an illegal dumping ground ence as silleteros (professional flower arrangers from until a renegade group of artists reclaimed it in 1986 Medellin) display their silletas (floral ornaments). Plus, with help from the city. The venue celebrates its 30th internationally and locally known artists play music, anniversary all summer long with an international do street theater, serve food, and sell their crafts. film festival, a jazz series, major exhibitions, and other If that’s not enough, many of the same characters community programs, such as yoga classes, art work- march in the seventh annual Desfile de las Flores on shops and a solstice celebration. (socratesculpturepark. Northern Boulevard between 69th and 88th streets in org) Jackson Heights on July 10 at noon. The parade is a beautiful display of Colombian silletas as massive as Row Your Boat eight feet tall. In addition to flowers, there are dance The public paddling season began on May 30, and it’s performances, live music, antique cars, the Flower time to head to the LIC Community Boathouse. Locat- Queen, and giveaways. (festivaldelasfloresus.com) ed next to Socrates Sculpture Park, this all-volunteer nonprofit facilitates recreational kayaking programs Movies Under the Stars in Hallets Cove and educational programs that raise awareness about estuary ecology. (licboathouse.org)

Only in Queens On June 26, the Only in Queens Summer Festival fills Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Starting at 1 pm, live performances, NYS Pavilion tours, recreational activities, food, vendors, and a scavenger hunt are on tap. At about 5 pm, Ginuwine, Mack Wilds, Kid ‘n Play, and DJ Camilo rock the stage in a hip hop/R&B show. (queensbp.org) Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and enjoy out- door cinema in public parks. Here’s a list of scheduled Go through Some Stages screenings. Start times are around 8:30 pm or dusk. June 16, Splash, LIC Landing at Hunters Point South Park. June 28-Ant Man, ARROW Park, Astoria. July 14-Spiderman, LIC Landing at Hunters Point South Park. July 25-Big Hero Six, Astoria Park. August 1-Mary Poppins, Astoria Park. August 8-Minions, Astoria Park. August 11-August Rush, LIC Landing and Hunters Point South Park. New York City’s largest free performing arts festival, August 15-Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Astoria Park. SummerStage, heads to Queensbridge Park this sum- August 22-Jaws, Astoria Park. mer. The events start at 7 pm and are children friendly, August 25-Zootopia, LIC Landing at Hunters Point as musicians, dancers and poets plan to take over the South Park. Long Island City green space for five days starting July September 15-Ghost, LIC Landing at Hunters Point 26. (cityparksfoundation.org) South Park. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS GOLD SILVER

Ariba Ariba Nature’s Vida BAR 43 Artist & Craftsman Supply Pure Spa & Salon Big Apple Circus Resobox Cafe DR. ARTHUR VOLKNER Core Home Rogue the Magician Critical Mass Selections Simple Skin Spa FOOD BAZAAR Crossfit Sunnyside SingleCut Beersmiths South Pole FRESH N SAVE DetoxRetox Cleanse Farm2Tacos Starbucks Gantry Kids Sunnyside Gardens Market GREEN VALLEY OF SUNNYSIDE Hospitality Holdings Table Wine LIC KIDS Jack’s Fire Dept. The Alcove Restaurant La Adelita The Butcher Block LIC YMCA La Flor The Dog & Duck Lowery Liquor & Wine Co. The Globe Tavern

MARKET CRATES Mangal Turkish Restaurant The UPS Store Masso Restaurant Transmitter Brewing NEW WAVE CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN Museum of Moving Image The Yoga Room PAPER PLUS PRINTING BRONZE POCO NYC Café Aubergine PR Hair Extensions / PR Solutions STAPLES Captured Moments By Shubhra Quaint Clodagh Read Acupuncture Rockaway Brewing Company CostCo Shake Shack STOP AND SHOP Donovans Pub of Woodside Skillman Pets European Meat Market Sol Luna Food Universe Sunnyside Deli THE COPPER KETTLE La Huerta Fruits & Vegetables Sunnyside Strings School Mr. Chicken to Go The Lowery Bar & Kitchen ULTRA MOBILE Mundo New York Trips to the Mouse Parrot Coffee Grocery Zum Schneider VORTEX HOSPITALITY SPECIAL THANKS WELCOME HOME Anheuser-Busch, Inc. C & J Prime Meats Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls WOODSIDE HERALD NYC Fire Department Ronny Wasserstrom of Playdate Puppets Street Beat Brass Band Sunnyside Ballet Studio The Boy Scouts of America The Girl Scouts of America

The Lemon Ice King of Corona

* Thank you to all the members of the park who made this event possible.