LITTLE FREE LIBRARY RETURNS TO ASTORIA PARK

By Maya Kaufman, Patch Staff

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Astoria Park's "Little Free Library" is back after a years-long hiatus. The free book exchange hub is now nestled between the skate park and running track.

It had been moved to make way for a multimillion-dollar renovation of the Charybdis Playground, according to the Astoria Park Alliance, which funded the library.

Volunteer-powered Astoria Park Alliance brings conservation to Western Queens

By Sarah Burchell, Queens Daily Eagle

Anthony Liberatoscioli was walking down the Astoria Park shoreline with his young daughter one day when she asked why there was so much trash on the shore. Upset that she had to ask and even more upset that he didn’t have an answer, Liberatoscioli started attending the monthly shoreline cleanups with the Astoria Park Alliance.

After forming in 2007, the group started to organize more regular cleanups and advocated for off-leash hours in the park, all while striving for community input, cultural inclusion and involvement.

ProgresS ON THE ASTORIA PARK DIVING POOL

by Meg Cotner, We Heart Astoria

Last weekend the Astoria Park Alliance posted a photo to their Facebook page stating, “We are excited to see that New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has officially begun construction on the new public plaza being installed at the site of the old diving pool in Astoria Park.” There’s also been some chatter in the Astoria, Queens Facebook group, with folks wondering what’s up with the progress. Conjecture is all well and good, but I wanted to hear something more official, so I reached out to Parks and they responded with this update…

Astoria Park cleanup & Community volunteer day

About 20 people pitched in to collect litter and debris from the shoreline. Another 20 volunteers helped pick up trash and cut weeds outside the pool area. Twice a month Astoria Park Alliance hold a clean up community volunteer day at the park.

"Part of what we're doing here is not to just keep the shoreline clean but to send a message to the people up on the lands that this is the way we want it to look so when you're here, when you're in the park, keep it beautiful," said Anthony Liberatoscioli, Vice Chair, Astoria Park Alliance.

Residents unite to clean Astoria Park

More than a dozen volunteers spent about two hours picking up trash along the East River shoreline, while another group raked and weeded near the park’s pool in one of the several cleanup and beautification projects the APA will host over the course of the year.

“This is an incredibly important project,” said Anthony Liberatoscioli the vice chair of the Astoria Park Alliance said. “The shoreline is the most beautiful and the most important part of Astoria Park.

Astoria park spring movie season starts with La la land

It’s about that time of the year when the sun starts shining a little brighter, the people smile just a little bit more, and Astoria Park becomes a treasure trove of events, activities and fun.

This year, Astoria Park Alliance (APA) has teamed up with Benedict Realty Group (BRG) for Movies Under the Stars. APA will also be giving out Movie Night blankets to the first 50 attendees. Luckily all movie goers will be given popcorn, thanks to the partnership.

Astoria Park Alliance’s 2017 Earth Day SHOREFest

Saturday, April 22, Astoria Park stood as a fine example of what a community can accomplish when people work together. Under cloudy skies and the occasional drizzle that turned to rain by early afternoon, groups of volunteers spruced up the park during the Astoria Park Alliance’s (APA) Earth Day Shore Fest Spring Kickoff. Along with the APA’s officers and loyal volunteers, over 125 people showed up to contribute their time and effort, including groups from New York Cares and Big Reuse/NYC Compost Project.

Astoria Park Alliance, founded in 2007, wins award for cleaning and beautifying park

March 13, By Hannah Wulkan

A local parks group was recognized with an award for its service to the community this week.

The Astoria Parks Alliance was given the Golden Trowel Award by the Partnership for Parks on Wednesday night, recognizing the commitment of the volunteers to improving the park and its service to the borough of Queens.

“I am proud that Partnership for Parks has recognized the Astoria Park Alliance for all their hard work,” said Councilman Costa Constantinides, who presented APA with the award.

Astoria Park Alliance wins award for its work to clean up and beautify borough’s big park

By Angela Matua, amatua@qns.com, March 10, 2017

A park group that was formed in 2007 to advocate for the conservation and sustainability of Astoria Park has been honored for its work.

Astoria Park Alliance (APA) received the Golden Trowel Award from the City Parks Foundation for its “volunteers’ commitment to transforming their parks and green spaces into dynamic community assets.” 

ASTORIA PARK ALLIANCE REACHES BOCCE COURT FUNDRAISING GOAL, WILL ADD MORE FEATURES

By Van Tieu Friday, March 17, 2017

The defunct bocce court at Astoria Park will reach a new milestone next Saturday. Plus, the Astoria Park Alliance will double its fundraising goal after it reached its goal in a few days. NY1's Van Tieu filed the following report.

Astoria Park Alliance anchor parK recommendations

The Anchor Park investment of $30 million in Astoria Park is a rare opportunity to improve the park for many generations. The allocation is wonderful and most welcome. However, the public, as well as community stakeholders, are acutely aware that ongoing maintenance of any new amenities is crucial for real, lasting improvement of Astoria Park. 

ASTORIA PARK VISITORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK RIGHT UP TO SHORE, GROUP SAYS

By Jean Marrie Evelly, DNAINFO

DITMARS — Historical images of Astoria Park show visitors frolicking along its rocky shore before a concrete seawall cut off access in the 1920s.
Today, parkgoers are still just as eager to walk on the beaches, sometimes even climbing a railing on the elevated sidewalk on the seawall along Shore Boulevard, according to the Astoria Park Alliance, a group advocating for improvements to the green space.

Astoria residents get sneak peak of future park renovations

For Queens residents who love the outdoors, it was a special night last Wednesday at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden as city park officials provided a glimpse into new design plans for Astoria Park.

Members of the community were loud and for the most part happy, as they gathered around tables with representatives of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to share ideas and concerns for upcoming renovations to Astoria Park.

Astoria park group tackles trash problem with cheeky sign campaign

DNAINFO/JEANMARIE EVELLY

DITMARS — A neighborhood parks group is hoping a little humor will encourage Astoria Park-goers to clean up after themselves.

Volunteer group Astoria Park Alliance recently installed a series of laminated posters along Shore Boulevard to remind residents to properly dispose of their trash — part of a campaign to keep the waterfront clean.