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4 The Courier sun • june 27, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Community Board 9 chair Jim Coccovillo, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Councilmember Eric Ulrich, Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, Assemblymember Mike Miller and Community Board 9 Parks Committee chair Richard Smith cut the ribbon on the revamped London Plane Tree Park. with parks to make sure things happen on a timely basis.” Ulrich said while the project was three years in the making, people in the neighborhood had wanted something better for London Plane Tree for quite some time. “There really wasn’t a full utilization of this space,” he said. “Many of the children and the young adults who enjoy skateboarding were forced to play in the THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen Pathmark parking lot, much to the dissatisfaction of the people on 95th Avenue.” Community Board 9 Chair Jim Coccovillo touted what parks can do not just for skateboarders, but the whole community. “Be safe, that’s what the park is here for,” he said. “You meet people, you make lifetime friends. And with that, you keep the community solid and safe.” SUDS FOR FUNDS ANNUAL CAR WASH RAISES $3G FOR NYFAC BY TERENCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com New York Families for Autistic Children (NYFAC) raised more than $3,000 from its seventh annual car wash, which took place in Lindenwood on Sunday, June 23. Organizers held the wash in conjunction with a car show by the Bow Wow Boys Car Club. The money will go toward rebuilding the NYFAC facility, which opened in April after suffering Sandy-related damage and a subsequent setback. Organizers said the day was about the members of NYFAC, both staff and students, having fun in the sun and helping to raise money. Karen Long, a NYFAC board member who chaired the event, said people came all day to pitch in. Some donated without getting a wash. “They’re even passing in their cars giving us five dollars,” she added. “We have a great time. This is like the best fundraiser. It’s fun, we’re outdoors.” Long’s son, Robert, is a member of NYFAC. The parent said he has been enjoying the new facility and the new programs. Long said the community has been supportive of the rebuilding. “People have been generous,” she said. “But there’s still work that has to be done.” The facility was originally slated to open in early November 2012. NYFAC President Andrew Baumann said rebuilding the facility has been a long road, but the car wash was a day for everyone to have fun for a good cause. “Today’s all about fun,” he said. “You can’t not do what you’ve always done. You can’t let nature hold you down.” Garden Center • Seasonal Decor Landscaping • Irrigation 125 Crossbay Blvd. • Broad Channel GRAB YOUR BOARD Redone London Plane Tree Park opens people who just want to come and sit. It’s a great day.” Borough President Helen Marshall allocated $1 million toward the project, with Councilmember Eric Ulrich pitching in the additional $600,000. Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, who is also Marshall’s Parks liaison, credited the beep’s work in helping to make the city’s parks some of the best. “The borough president has done her share and I like to think she has done more than her share,” he said. “She has allocated over $183 million to the parks. We are delighted to work very closely THE COURIER/Photos by Terence M. Cullen BY TERENCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com It was a great day to skate in Queens. The newly redone London Plane Tree Park, on the border of Woodhaven and Ozone Park, opened on Sunday, June 23 with a ribbon cutting by officials and skateboarders. The $1.6 million project, which started about a year ago, included full renovations, more greenery and exercise equipment around the park. “It’s a great design,” said Assemblymember Mike Miller. “It’s a lot of green space that’s good for other NYFAC’s seventh annual car wash, on Sunday, June 23 helped bring in more than $3,000 for the facility as it continues rebuilding after Sandy. at the root of all your garden needs. 718.855.543.NURSERY (6877)


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