Gantry Plaza State Park Manager Andrew Williams, NYC Regional Director Leslie Wright, HPPC Vice President Mark Christie, HPPC President Rob Basch, HPPC Treasurer Babara Etzel at the check presentation at Gantry Plaza State Park on Dec. 2, 2020 (Image provided by the HPPC)
Dec. 11, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy has been awarded a sizeable grant to carry out repair and beautification work at Gantry Plaza State Park.
The voluntary group, which helps with the upkeep of the park, received a $21,600 matching grant through the New York State Parks Environmental Protection Fund earlier this month.
The grant will be used by the conservancy to replace damaged tree guards throughout Gantry Plaza State Park that have deteriorated over time and are in need of repair. A portion of the grant will also go toward the group’s voluntary gardening program.
The grant required the HPPC to raise 10 percent of $21,600. The organization met that challenge and then received the full amount from the state.
The award comes after a busy year at the park where it was subject to wear and tear. Many people flocked to the park to get outside during the pandemic.
“Gantry Plaza State Park has seen unprecedented usage and this funding will allow us to make sure our trees remain safe and thriving,” HPPC president Rob Basch said.
The HPPC has ordered eight new guards that will help protect the trees from being damaged. They will also help prevent pets from defecating inside the tree pits.
The tree guards are scheduled to arrive next month, with each guard costing about $1,700.
Basch said the grant will help the HPPC with its conservation and outreach efforts. He said the funds were timely, since the budget for NY Parks has been cut.
The grant was awarded through the state’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, which is administered by the non-profit organization Parks and Trails New York.
