Beautifying Canarsie Park: Bloom into Spring initiative

The cool, windy temperature last Saturday in Canarsie Park, Brooklyn, did not deter a dedicated group of volunteers. They turned out in large numbers to plant over 200 daffodil and tulip bulbs in preparation for a colorful bloom next spring.

As part of the exercise, volunteers first raked fallen leaves before preparing a bed in a central area of the park, where perennials decorate the ground. The group added crocus and tulip bulbs at the edges of the ground to create a colorful mix of flowers.

The 10 a.m. cleanup started with a yoga mindfulness routine and continued with team spirit and heartfelt love of the environment as the beds were prepared for the bulbs — the floret peak, depending on the weather pattern leading up to the spring season.

Community leader Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford started the ongoing initiative to enhance the Canarsie environs and surrounding areas. She was inspired by her mother’s love of community service and the environment while growing up in Grenada.

She brought that same enthusiasm to Canarsie when she noticed polluted streets. With the help of Sen. Roxanne Persaud, a longtime advocate for the community and who served as president of the 69th Precinct Community Council in Canarsie, collaborations were forged with NYC Love My Parks Clean Up and the NYC Tulip Marathon as a member of the Parks Department Stewardship Team, which cares for the NYC Street Team.

These partnerships have allowed over 1000 NYU Freshmen to complete their Volunteer Services Orientation.

Viechweg Horsford said the Litter to Glitter group, which has a large following of young people, filled 60 bags of garbage as part of its very first cleanup exercise. The group has since continued to beautify the neighborhoods while leaving a lasting impression as community service advocates.

What was also encouraging was that the volunteers donated the 200 flowering bulbs and came ready to keep the park clean, as a founding member of Cycles of Residence Canarsie Street Team and founder of Leaders Engaging in All-Round Development International (Lead’N), a non-profit that collaborates with Partnership for Parks.

“We achieved another major milestone today through our impressive community service initiative. Volunteers enjoyed complimentary yoga, mindfulness, and delightful refreshments. She said participants left feeling invigorated and excited for the upcoming spring event, adding that the enjoyment level and seeing residents sometimes picking the colorful flowers makes a difference. “We are doing something meaningful,” remarked Viechweg Horsford.

“Picture this: young people and adults working together to enhance the park’s beauty, with our youths unexpectedly disconnecting from their phones. I believe they surprised themselves. Appreciation to all for your remarkable backing, thank you,” said a founding member of Cycles of Residence Canarsie Street Team.

Volunteering organizations included Science and Resilience Canarsie Street Team, The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court 229 from Our Lady of Charity R.C Church, Ladies and Junior of Environmental Project, Crown Heights, and Canarsie Lions Clubs, The 69th Precinct Council, The Grenadian American Ex-Teachers Association, The NYPD 69th Precinct Council, TouchupTV/1CatoSno-Cone, and others.