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8/4/2019 Macdonald Park Maintenance Problems
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Rego-Forest Preservation Council * Michael Perlman, Chairc/o Central Queens Historical Association, P.O. Box N, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Blog:http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.comFacebook Group:http://on.fb.me/RegoForestFlickr Photo Collections:http://bit.ly/RFPCphotosE-mail:[email protected]
August 13, 2011
Call To Action:Maintenance Problems in MacDonald Park, Forest Hills, NY
Since the early 1930s, MacDonald Park (Queens Blvd between Yellowstone Blvd & 70th
Rd) with
its Gerald MacDonald statue, has been an anchor of Forest Hills.
In early August 2011, park-goers and passersby of Forest Hills MacDonald Park began to notice
disturbing issues. Michael Perlman, Chairman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, which
addresses historic preservation and conservation issues in Forest Hills and Rego Park,
documented the following community concerns, with photos in this 12-page document:
1. Trees that were planted in April 2011 in MacDonald Park were dying prematurely. In April
2011, multi-generation volunteers numbering over 800, collaborated to plant approximately 70
new trees in MacDonald Park, to help restore the parks natural beauty, after the September
2010 macroburst eliminated around 60 park trees. This was part of JetBlues One Thing Thats
Green event. Around 160 trees were planted throughout Forest Hills, in close proximity to the
park, which was one of the greatest damaged areas of Queens. As of August 2011, Rego-Forest
Preservation Council is uncertain if some of those trees will survive. Hot summer temperatures
and a recent drought are the likely cause of leaves drying up, and it may be too late for some
trees. The soil consistently appears drier than one would expect.
2. Sunflowers appear to be vandalized.
3. A bench went missing, possibly due to vandalism.
4. Some bushes are unkempt. The flowers around tree pits, which were planted in April 2011,
have succumbed.
5. The lawn often has major areas that are bald.
Rego-Forest Preservation Council respectfully requests the NYC Parks
Department to:
1. Frequently water the young trees, particularly during dry spells.
2. Monitor the park as often as possible, and consider the installation of cameras to record
vandalism.
3. Maintain existing shrubs, and plant more throughout the park. Also plant and maintain
flowers, and replace them when necessary. Increase water supply to the lawn and address bald
spots.
http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/http://on.fb.me/RegoForesthttp://on.fb.me/RegoForesthttp://on.fb.me/RegoForesthttp://bit.ly/RFPCphotoshttp://bit.ly/RFPCphotoshttp://bit.ly/RFPCphotosmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://bit.ly/RFPCphotoshttp://on.fb.me/RegoForesthttp://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/8/4/2019 Macdonald Park Maintenance Problems
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Location: The central northern gateway to MacDonald Park at 70th
Ave
Whats Wrong? This park gateway welcomes park-goers with 2 apparently dead trees.
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Location: The west side of the central northern gateway to MacDonald Park at 70th
Ave
Whats Wrong? An apparently dead tree
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Location: The east side of the central northern gateway to MacDonald Park at 70th
Ave
Whats Wrong? An apparently dead tree
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Location: The east side of the central southern gateway to MacDonald Park at 70th
Ave
Whats Wrong? Besides the trees health, this corner is characterized by unhealthy and uneven
shrubs.
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Location: The north side of the central corridor near 70th
Ave
Whats Wrong? A tree dying prematurely
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Location: Northwest section
Whats Wrong? A tree dying prematurely
8/4/2019 Macdonald Park Maintenance Problems
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Location: Northwest section
Whats Wrong? Even though this tree does not show signs of dried leaves, the tops of branches
are becoming bare.
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Location: East side of northern gateway
Whats Wrong? This tree seems to be leaning a bit too much, and may benefit with the use of
supports.
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MacDonald Parks west end exhibits a colorful surpriseSunflowers!
Whats Wrong? The few sunflowers behind the intact duo shows 2 sunflowers, with the flowers
apparently vandalized (right photo & below photos).
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In April 2011, volunteers planted colorful floral varieties around the perimeter tree pits of
MacDonald Park.
Whats Wrong? Today the above tree pits are filled with weeds, and there is no trace of flowers
planted by volunteers not long ago. Car drivers and passengers have carelessly stepped on the
flowers. Flowers in tree pits should be watered, de-weeded, and re-planted routinely, and
decorative rails should be installed to safeguard curb tree pits.
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Southwestern row of benches vs. northwestern row of benches
Whats Wrong? One bench on the northwestern row went missing, leaving the public with a
rusty cement pavement with 6 holes where the bench once stood, which is also shown below.
Also note 1 in a series of bald lawns and unkempt shrubbery.