About Us
Astoria Park Alliance exists to ensure the conservation and sustainability of Astoria Park for all New Yorkers. Through our volunteer work, we are dedicated to beautifying the 60 acres that we call the jewel of this neighborhood. Additionally, we create free, public programming that brings people to the park and builds community.
APA also advocates for green and open space in the park, with a keen eye on environmental issues. We maintain a close relationship with our fellow park users, facilitating communication with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and local appointed and elected officials.
We are an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an all-volunteer group based in Astoria, NY. We encourage residents and all those interested in the park to attend our community meetups, come to a volunteer date, and join our team. Astoria Park Alliance believes that building a community starts in the park — so come out and volunteer with us!
Astoria Park Alliance hosts periodic Community Meetups at different venues in the neighborhood. Each year, from the start of Spring through the end of Autumn, we organize multiple volunteer opportunities in the park each month (usually biweekly). Visit our event calendar to discover how you can get involved in Astoria Park.
Background
Established in 2007, APA was formed by a group of community volunteers who wanted to make sure the park was welcoming for all of its users. Throughout the years, APA has served as a voice for the community, addressing issues of safety, ecology, park usage, and sanitation.
In 2017 the Alliance became an official 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit organization.
Officers
ANTHONY LIBERATOSCIOLI, Chair
DOUGLAS MONACO, Communications Outreach Director
STEPHANIE BERRY, Volunteer & Membership Director
RALPH LANZIANO, Treasurer
Board of Trustees
KRISTEN AVERY
STEPHANIE BERRY
MIRIAM DALAEI-FODERA
DAVID FRIES
ASHLEY KING-McCARTY
RALPH LANZIANO
ANTHONY LIBERATOSCIOLI
JIM LOVEGROVE
ALEXIS MEDINA
DOUGLAS MONACO
PHYLLIS PARRA
JENNIFER SELLERS
STEVE SIMICICH
Meet the Officers
Anthony Liberatoscioli,
Chair
Having grown up on Long Island, I've always had a wandering eye towards New York City and have now proudly lived in Astoria for nearly 20 years. Astoria is my young family's home, and Astoria Park is our backyard. What I love about Astoria Park Alliance is how none of us are afraid to get our hands dirty, put in the sweat and effort, and do real, tangible work in the park. My friends and colleagues in APA all work so hard to care for and improve the park: to make it the place of dreams for my kids and the thousands of children in Astoria. My most gratifying accomplishment with APA has been the revitalization of the long dormant bocce court. Seeing the most beautifully scenic court in all of New York City come back to life has been a source of great pride for this child of Italian immigrants. I am so delighted by the work we have already done, and deeply excited by the opportunities for so much more in Astoria Park's bright future.
Doug Monaco, Communications
Having resided in five distinct Astoria apartment complexes over most of the last two decades, I’ve consistently been drawn towards Astoria Park. Whether utilizing the track against its beautiful horizon or catching some summer sun on the waterfront lawns, Astoria Park became a magnet for meaningful experiences. When I came across some signage for APA’s signature ShoreFest event I knew it was an opportunity to give back to the community. For the last two years I’ve taken pride in communicating the APA mission by expanding our community outreach efforts and social media network. The Alliance has allowed me to gain invaluable leadership experience while making lifelong friendships along the way. Helping to advocate for sustainability initiatives and fostering a welcoming environment for diversity and inclusion has proven to be a truly fulfilling investment that I’m excited to build on.
Ralph Lanziano, Treasurer
Board of Trustees
The Astoria Park Alliance Board serves as the conscience of the organization. It is charged with maintaining its growth, advising the officers, and promoting the conservation and well being of Astoria Park.
Martha Lopez-Gilpin, Founder
While my husband Mike and I were in the process of rescuing our dog, Princi, we walked to Astoria Park to calm our nerves and get some exercise. There, we found a group of lovely dogs and their people playing. We were welcomed into the community and together, as a community, we began picking up garbage and getting off leash hours officially recognized in Astoria Park. That led to meeting and befriending Jules Corkery, Kim Waber, Clare Doyle, Connie Arroyo, and lots of other wonderful people who loved Astoria Park and wanted to keep it clean, safe and fun. Ten years ago, with the help of Partnership for Parks, we formed Astoria Park Alliance. From day one, good folks have donated time out of their busy lives to hash it out, roll up their sleeves and DO. We clean, plant, paint, rake, weed, edge, water and mulch. We chat things over with park users, and cart around tools and supplies. We survey and fundraise. We attend meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, and ask questions. We listen. We host and facilitate a lot of fests. We partner with great organizations, businesses, elected and appointed officials. I am honored to be a part of a group of Astoria Park champions who represent ideological, cultural, economic, generational, and philosophical differences. I adore these people, and their wonderful families that sacrifice time with them. I, like you, love the community that is Astoria Park.