WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 5, 2018 19
Free public Wi-Fi added to Gantry Plaza State Park in LIC
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
EDAVENPORT@QNS.COM
@QNS
The State Parks Department
announced on March 30 that
there will be an expansion of
the New York State Parks free public
Wi-Fi program at Gantry Plaza in Long
Island City.
In partnership with Toyota, the
Parks Department has launched “Oh,
Ranger!” Wi-Fi™,” which brought free
public Wi-Fi systems to state parks
around New York. The program has
since been expanded to include Gantry
Plaza State Park.
“New York’s remarkable state park
system welcomes tens of millions each
year, and more and more families are
looking to explore the outdoors and
make the most of precious leisure
time by having access to popular
conveniences,” said State Parks Commissioner
Rose Harvey. “Working
with our partners, we are pleased to
expand this valuable service at these
treasured parks and destinations for
the coming season, building on our
commitment to improving the overall
visitor experience.”
The “Oh, Ranger!” Wi-Fi” network
was originally set up with the equipment,
installation, programming,
monitoring and maintenance all being
provided at no cost to taxpayers. Visitors
at the participating parks access
the free Wi-Fi by selecting the “Oh,
Ranger! Wi-Fi” network on their device
and then accepting the standard
terms and conditions.
In addition to providing free public
Wi-Fi, the platform acts as a digital
information portal that can help educate
visitors, identify park visitation
patterns, generate awareness of upcoming
programs and events, serve as
an operations management tool, and
promote volunteerism in the parks.
“Toyota is excited to build upon our
partnership with the New York State
Offi ce of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation and American Park
Network to provide free public Wi-Fi
to these four important parks in New
Photo by Joe Mabel/Wikimedia Commons
York,” said Steven Curtis, vice president,
media and engagement marketing,
Toyota Motor North America. “We
aim to support our partners in their
mission to promote greater environmental
appreciation and awareness
in local communities. We’re grateful
for this opportunity and hope that it
will enhance the experience of visiting
these New York public parks.”
Sample cuisine from around the world at
Taste of Sunnyside next month
BY ANGELA MATUA
AMATUA@QNS.COM
@ANGELAMATUA
For the ninth year in a row, the
Taste of Sunnyside will showcase
cuisine from local restaurants
that are serving up fare from around
the world.
Hosted by Sunnyside Shines, the
neighborhood’s Business Improvement
District, participants will be
able to sample food and drinks from
a variety of restaurants and breweries
under a block-long tent at the P.C.
Richard & Sons parking lot at 50-02
Queens Blvd. The event will take place
on May 22.
The event has previously been
held under the elevated train tracks
underneath the 7 line. According to Jaime
Faye Bean, the executive director
for Sunnyside Shines, the move will
provide more space and will make it
possible to add more perks.
“Our partnership with PC Richard
is allowing us more space to
spread out for this event, including
the creation of an outdoor ‘beer
garden’ where our attendees can
relax,” she said. “It also gives our
restaurants more flexibility to
prepare food onsite, which in turn
enhances the range of restaurants
and cuisines that have decided to
participate.”
This year, participants will be able
to try Italian food from Senso Unico,
Filipino cuisine from Tito Rad’s, small
batch ice cream from Bliss Street
Creamery and beer from local breweries
such as Singlecut Beersmiths, Big
aLICe, Long Island City Beer Project
and more.
According to Bean, the vendors
are still being finalized but local
favorites such as Sidetracks, I Love
Paraguay, Bar 43 and Dazies will also
provide food.
In addition to food and drinks, there
will be live entertainment and a raffl e
with a variety of prizes.
Though the event begins at 6:30
p.m., there are VIP tickets available
that give participants an extra hour of
service beginning at 5:30 p.m. There
are also general admission tickets and
VIP tickets available in a bundle with
fi ve raffl e tickets.
To purchase tickets, visit the Sunnyside
Shines website at www.sunnysideshines.
org.
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