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Volunteers to Clean Up Portion of Forest Park to Promote QueensWay

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | April 22, 2014 9:34am
 Last year, more than 75 residents cleared around half a mile along the proposed QueensWay.
Last year, more than 75 residents cleared around half a mile along the proposed QueensWay.
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Ahron Foster/Courtesy of Friends of the QueensWay

QUEENS — A group of volunteers is set to clean up a portion of Forest Park that could become part of the proposed QueensWay, which would transform an abandoned rail line into the borough's version of Manhattan's High Line, the organizers said.

The cleanup, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, and organized by Friends of the QueensWay, seeks to push the idea of a High Line-type path for pedestrians and cyclists, but it will also "promote a healthy park," said Andrea Crawford of Friends of the QueensWay.

The group will remove weeds and clean up trash around Victory Field, near Woodhaven Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue, where the tracks run through. "It’s an area of the park that is not accessible and tends to get neglected,” Crawford said.

“We want to clean up this area to show that people care about this piece of land," she added.

Friends of the QueensWay will coordinate their efforts with the Parks Department to provide access and tools, Crawford said.

This is the second time that volunteers will have cleaned up the area. Last year, more than 75 residents cleared around half a mile along the proposed park, a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned railroad tracks connecting Rego Park and Ozone Park as well as some of the surrounding areas, organizers said.

All parkgoers, whether they support the QueensWay or not, are welcome to participate, organizers said.

Those who are interested, should wear long pants and sturdy shoes to protect themselves from poison ivy, the group said.

To RSVP, go here. For more information, call 347-829-4379. All ages welcome, including children with supervision. The cleanup will take place between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will meet near Woodhaven Blvd and Forest Park Drive.