24community news SHADE RETURNS TO SHADY PARK BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO The shade is on its way back to Andrews Grove in Long Island City. Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer gathered on November 20 with other local officials, the Friends of Shady Park and residents to celebrate the replanting of trees taken away by Superstorm Sandy at the beloved park nicknamed “Shady Park,” located at 49th Avenue between 5th Street and Vernon Boulevard. Working together with the Friends of Shady Park — a group of neighbors advocating for the repair of Andrews Grove Playground – Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer was able to secure $10,000 in private funding from JetBlue and Warner Bros. to help replant 10 mature trees at the park. “The ten trees we have planted here will once again restore the shade back to Shady Park,” said Van Bramer. “This playground is the heart of Long Island City and with this replanting ceremony we are celebrating the end of a 13-month process to bring Andrews Grove back to life.” The Parks Department began repairs in June at Andrews Grove after the park was left with signifi cant damage after Superstorm Sandy hit the city. It received damages to its play equipment, safety surfaces, fencing and lost eight of its signature tall trees. After that, only a small part of the park was accessible by residents. After more than two months of working to restore the 2.3-acre park to its original state, local elected officials, Parks Department officials and community members cut the ribbon in September, reopening the whole park. The fixes to the park came through more than $90,000 in city funding and included removing all damaged items, repairs to the playground equipment, new safety surfaces, benches, concrete and asphalt work. “The loss of the trees really hit everyone hard,” said Sheila Lewandowski, co-founder of Friends of Shady Park. “Replacing the trees brought us all together. Every community has a place, a spot that is special for everyone. That’s what Shady Park is. Our new trees will sit with the remaining old trees just like how the children play in the park and our elders sit in the shade.” Photo Courtesy Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer's O ce
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