Messages From Maria

Have you noticed the 60+ garden beds in Marine Park are finally getting the tender loving care they need? When you walk in the park, it is clear that people care tremendously about the upkeep of the designed and natural landscapes. This Earth Week, we want to share some of […]

Have you noticed the new plantings north of Avenue U? There are many new little gardens — some replacing older garden beds and others brand new. We are in the process of a new horticultural initiative that is taking out invasive plants and installing native species. This is an effort to […]

     Dan Armstrong has been volunteering with us in the park for over five years. He loves the park and the people. Through the pandemic, you can see him on his daily walk and meditation — “in the zone,” as he describes it. I met Dan because he was great […]

In case you haven’t been following coverage about the recent decline of parks, we are not alone. Last week’s NY Post and other media outlets have been covering how garbage is being picked up less often, weeds seem to be taking over, and there is less staff than ever before in all […]

It was a short storm, but the damages are long-lasting. Marine Park was one of the hardest-hit places with yesterday’s storm — dozens of huge trees were injured or fell. Streets were partially or completely closed off. Cars were crushed. Luckily, no one was badly hurt. The majestic old oak trees […]

She doesn’t wear a cape, but she is a trained Super Steward. Rebecca Schwarz is single-handedly bringing back the view that gives Marine Park its name. Where Avenue U crosses the park there was a green wall of weeds obscuring any view of the fragrant salt marsh and its shoreline. […]

In 2019 Marine Park Alliance started an exciting Internships Program. We can host one intern each semester — Spring, Summer and Fall. An intern can work with board members, with the park director on administration or with park gardeners in the field. Today I’d like to highlight the work of […]

The beauty of daffodils, phlox and bluebells surges in springtime. Did you know you can honor the mothers in your life with a gift of planting more flowers in Marine Park? With a $50 donation to Honoring with Flowers**, we will send you or the person you are honoring an […]

Not everyone can stay at home. In parks the gardens are still growing and need attention, so gardeners are still at work making the place welcoming for New Yorkers who need solace, fresh air and sunshine. Over the winter Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy redesigned entrance gardens to the oval path […]

Did you know that Arbor Day happens within Earth Week? If you don’t already, think about the trees when you walk by or under them in Marine Park. You might smell their sweet scent if they are in flower. This mother pushing her newborn baby’s stroller next to her young […]

This week I observed how families are using the park without playgrounds. Benches became balance beams, baseball clay became drawing boards with sticks, pigeons were chased. Instead of releasing a child in a playground where a parent can chill on a bench, each child has to be overseen by a […]