Councilmember Sandra Ung joined Dian Yu, executive director of the Flushing Business Improvement District, and volunteers from a local Chase Bank branch on Wednesday at a cleanup event in James Bland Playground.
“Flushing is very dense, so we don’t have a lot of opportunities to create new open space, which is why we have to focus on taking care of the parks and playgrounds we do have,” said Council Member Ung. “And playgrounds in downtown Flushing, like Bland, Maple and Bowne, receive a lot of use, especially in the summer, so we appreciate volunteer efforts like this to help keep them in good shape.”
Approximately 30 volunteers from the Chase Bank branch in nearby Skyview Center and representatives from the Flushing BID spent three hours picking up trash and painting park benches in the playground, which is located at the intersection of 40th Road and Prince Street.
“Spring Cleaning Day in Flushing demonstrates what can happen when corporations and nonprofits partner,” said Yu. “Together, we can keep Flushing clean.”
Bland Playground has several play areas and handball and basketball courts. It was built in 1952, and will soon undergo a complete, approximately year-long renovation.
Wednesday’s cleanup event was coordinated on the part of Chase Bank by Jason Xia.
“Chase Bank would like to thank the BID and the community leaders for the volunteer efforts today,” said Xia. “We hope to do more work in the future for the betterment of the community.”
