Herbert Von King Park Gets a Facelift

Last weekend volunteers from Friends of Herbert Von King Park and 500 Men Making a Difference took time out of their busy lives to clean-up and beautify the park grounds and recreation center at Herbert Von King Park. Volunteers ranged in age from 7 to 70 with a significant number being teenagers, among them the Youth Explorers from the 79thPrecinct.  New York City Department of Parks and Recreation employees were also on hand to provide guidance and pitch
in with the work. 

500 Men Making a Difference painted the recreation center and The Friends of Herbert Von King Park revitalized the garden beds;  pruning faded plants, weeding and planting fall blooming flowers.  Sporting a fresh coat of paint, both inside and out, the recreation center looks bright and clean.  Adorned with colorful mums and
pansies, the garden beds are flourishing.

Last week-end’s event was the start of community based efforts to revitalize the park. Friends of Herbert Von King Park, 500 Men Making a Difference and My Name is Woof will be working with the Parks Department management to develop a long term, sustainable plan to  improve and maintain  the park grounds, recreation center and dogrun. Similar plans are in the works for Fulton Park and Saratoga Park. 

The next event is scheduled for October 15, 2011, the citywide “It’s My Park Day”.  Volunteers will be working at Herbert Von King Park, Saratoga Park and Fulton Park, cleaning up and planting spring blooming daffodils.  If you would like to participate you can contact Friends of Von King Park at friendsofherbertvonkingpark@gmail.com, Friends of Saratoga Park at saratogapark@gmail.com and Fulton Park friendsoffultonpark@gmail.com
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