Community Board10 has learned that a group home has been proposed for a property located at 2992 Lawton Avenue in Throggs Neck. The sponsors of the home are the Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics, and they plan to house 3 to 8 developmentally disabled adults at the property. The board has scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Ft. Schuyler House, located at 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway. The board’s next article will report on the proceedings of this meeting.
The Association of the Merchants & Business Professionals of Westchester Square, and the Westchester Zerega Improvement Organization, advised the board of deteriorating conditions at the Owen Dolan Recreation Center, located in the park of the same name in Westchester Square. The board was alerted to deteriorated stairwells, broken concrete, overgrown plantings and the pressing need to renovate the recreational center. In response to these conditions, the board forwarded a letter to the Borough Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to take immediate steps to repair these problems. The board will also make the renovation of the park and its surroundings one of our budget priorities in the upcoming budget consultations with city agencies in the fall. The board was also apprised of a serious condition at the Westchester Square Library. Whole swaths of the library’s floors are missing tiles, creating a trip hazard for the library’s patrons. In response to these conditions, the board forwarded correspondence to the New York Public Library’s central administration requesting that these problems be corrected. Look toward future articles for updated information on these matters.
Not long ago, the board received a presentation by MTA New York City Transit, concerning the upgrade of the Middletown Road and Buhre Avenue Stations of the IRT #6 train. The board welcomed this news, for too long these stations have received the minimum level of maintenance. This week the board learned that the MTA, the parent agency to MTA New York City Transit, is experiencing fiscal difficulties, which may have the effect of delaying or deferring the renovations of these stations. The board contacted the senior management of New York City Transit and impressed upon them the importance of completing these renovations.
The board also learned that the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has found a construction manager for the Ferry Point Park Golf Course. The contractor is Sanford Golf Design. The board has informed the Department of Parks and Recreation of its support of this project, as well the planned children’s park and river walk, adjoining the golf course.
The New York City Department of Education is currently operating the free, federally sponsored Summer Food Service Program. The program is operated by SchoolFood and is available to all children under the age of 18, providing breakfast and luncheon meals.
These meals are available to all children, under the age of 18 regardless of income, citizenship status or enrollment in public schools. There are no payments required for these meals, nor are there any forms that need to be completed or ID cards. All a child needs to do is visit one of the hundreds of sites, located in schools, pools and parks. Breakfast at the public schools is served from 8 to 9:15 a.m., and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. A list of sites is available by contacting 311 or visiting the program’s website at www.OTPOSFNS.org. This program provides parents with an excellent opportunity to ensure that their children receive a tasty and nutritious breakfast or lunch.
This summer the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has an ambitious array of activities within the parks open to the public. Young people can learn to swim at the City’s pools, while adults can tone up through the Shape Up New York program, offered at various recreation centers in our Borough. Kids from 7 to 15 years of age can benefit from the Willie Randolph Summer Sports Experience, offering youngsters activities such as baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, track and field, basketball and soccer. The Department also offers young people ages 8 to 11 an opportunity to participate in the Junior Ranger Day Camp program, which allows your child the opportunity to experience nature in a whole new way. Information concerning these and other low cost or free programs can be obtained by contacting 311 or by visiting the parks website at NYC.GOV. However, those interested in the Ranger Camp should contact www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers.
One of the best ways to provide fresh water to plants, gardens and lawns is through using rain water. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is providing owners of single family and attached two family homes with free rain barrels. The barrels can be placed under the downspouts of your home’s exterior drain pipes. The agency provides you with the installation kit, the barrel and instructions for installation. The use of rain water allows you to avoid using your domestic water for gardening purposes, possibly saving you money on water and sewer charges. Further information on this program can be obtained by contacting Lucinda Kalin of the NYC Soil and Water Conservation District at (212) 965-1859 or visiting the website at Lucinda@nycswcd.net or Stacy Radine at New York City DEP at (718) 595-4316 or visiting the website at sardine@dep.nyc.gov.
The board routinely receives complaints about sanitation issues, and one of the most prolific complaints concern dog walkers, who do not clean up after their canine friends.
It is imperative to health of community that anyone who has an animal companion, clean up after their friend. Remember, this is the law.
The board office is ready to assist you with any problem or concern that you may be having with a cty agency. Our office is opened from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Our phone number is (718) 892-1161, fax number is (718) 863-6860 and our e-mail is BX10@CB.nyc.gov.
