14 The Courier sun • november 20, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com $2.5M allocated for Juniper Valley Park improvements BY SALVATORE LICATA slicata@queenscourier.com/@Sal_Licata1 Joggers and athletes in Juniper Valley Park will soon be jumping for joy with a new upgrade coming to the track and field. $2.5 million has been allocated by Councilwomen Elizabeth Crowley to renovate the track and field complex, which she says has its fair share of problems that need to be addressed. “Drainage issues have significantly damaged the track and have prevented its full use,” said Crowley. “Renovating this track will enable all residents to take advantage of all Juniper Valley Park can offer.” At this point, the funding has been secured for the renovation, but there are no concrete plans or timeline for what type of work will be done. Scoping meetings will be held with the community to discuss the possibilities for this project, according to a representative from the Parks Department. This is not the first time Crowley has allocated funds to help the park. She also secured funding for upgrades of the handball courts, lower playground area and bocce courts. She said she wants to get the renovations done as soon as possible and is even drafting legislation that will expedite council members’ fully funded capital projects. “Since Juniper is a highly utilized park, upkeep is very important,” Crowley noted. “Renovating the field at Juniper Valley Park is a high priority for members of our DOT launches annual ‘Bike to School’ competition BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com @aaltamirano The wheels have started turning as local schools compete to be part of a Department of Transportation (DOT) program promoting safe bicycling and active transportation alternatives. The third annual Bike to School competition, launched by the DOT on Nov. 18, is a curriculum-driven program with the mission of promoting bicycle riding as a fast, safe and healthy way to get around. All middle and high schools in the five boroughs can apply, and five schools will be chosen to participate in the 2015 Bike to School program. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 7, 2015. “Cycling is a great way for young New Yorkers to be active, explore their neighborhood, grow independently, and develop street safety habits,” DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said. “I am pleased to bring a program to the city’s youth to encourage cycling as a great mode of transportation.” The three-year program began in 2010 after the DOT collaborated with Bike New York to host the first Bike to School Day ride with M.S. 51 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. During the first year, the chosen schools are given a “starter kit” with curriculum material, technical assistance to identify safer routes, the installation of bike racks and other DOT support. Bike New York and Recycle-a-Bicycle, partner organizations in the program, will offer extra services, such as safe riding assemblies, learn-to-ride training and bike maintenance classes. In the second year, the schools will then move to operate the program individually, East-West School of International Studies in Flushing was one of the schools that participated in the DOT’s Bike to School program. with the DOT continuing classroom curriculum and organizing events. For the final year, each of the five schools will be responsible for the inclass curriculum and will organize separate celebratory bike parades, marking the completion of the program. “This program helps our students develop healthy and safe habits, and I am excited to see more schools and students from across the city take advantage of it,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said. “The Bike to School program offers our children a chance to learn important and useful skills like bike safety and maintenance, as well as Photo courtesy of East-West School of International Studies explore and celebrate their community.” Six schools have previously been part of the Bike to School program including Flushing’s East-West School of International Studies. To apply for the Bike to School program and for more information, visit www.nyc.gov/biketoschool. THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata community.”
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