LONG ISLAND CITY HONORS HUNTERS POINT PARKS CONSERVANCY WITH ITS OWN STREET: JULIE WON LEADS SATURDAY'S CELEBRATION

 

Jessica Sacrist With Rob Basch, Julie Won, Barbara Etzel & Hunters Point Conservancy 2026

A well-deserved tribute to Rob Basch, Jessica Sechrist, Barbara Etzel and the dedicated board, staff and volunteers who have helped transform and maintain LIC's waterfront parks.

Long Island City has a new street name, and it belongs to an organization that has spent nearly three decades making the neighborhood a more beautiful place to live.

On Saturday, November 7, Council Member Julie Won joined representatives of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy to officially celebrate the co-naming of the intersection of 50th Avenue and Center Boulevard as Hunters Point Parks Conservancy Way.

It was a special recognition for an organization whose work has become an important part of life along the Long Island City waterfront.

The street naming honors 28 years of dedication to Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunters Point South Park, two of the most popular and recognizable green spaces in the neighborhood.

Council Member Julie Won introduced the City Council legislation behind the honorary street designation. She described it as a small token of thanks for the Conservancy's contributions.

And there is certainly plenty to thank them for.

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy Street Dedication

 

JULIE WON RECOGNIZES AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE

Long Island City has experienced extraordinary growth, with thousands of new residents, towering residential buildings and a booming restaurant and business community.

But there is one problem that comes with all that development: green space is limited.

As Council Member Won pointed out, Long Island City has some of the least park space per resident in New York City. That makes the work of organizations like the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy especially important.

The Conservancy has helped keep the waterfront parks beautiful, welcoming and full of life while also advocating for additional parkland as the community continues to grow.

ROB BASCH: A DECADE OF LEADERSHIP

A major figure behind the organization is President Rob Basch, who has chaired the Conservancy since 2014.

Basch has been a dedicated advocate for the waterfront parks and the importance of maintaining green space in a rapidly growing community.

He thanked Council Member Won for the recognition, describing the street naming as a great honor.

Basch also emphasized that Long Island City must continue fighting for additional parks and green spaces as its population expands.

His message is an important one: a neighborhood cannot simply keep building residential towers without making sure residents have places to enjoy the outdoors.

JESSICA SECHRIST AND THE CONSERVANCY TEAM

Another important part of the organization is Executive Director Jessica Sechrist, who helps lead the Conservancy's programs, community engagement and advocacy.

The work involves much more than keeping the grass green and flowers blooming. The organization provides programming, environmental education, recreational activities and opportunities for residents to become involved in their waterfront.

The Conservancy's leadership and board also deserve recognition, including Leonard Klipper, Ian Chin, Hossein Aleyasin, Sumantro Das, Lindsey Deller, Barbara Etzel, Andre Galan, Allie Haake and Ann Margaret O'Connor.  

Communications and Programming Coordinator Serina Griffin is also part of the team helping bring the organization's programs and activities to the community.

And, of course, none of this would be possible without the many volunteers who give their time and energy to the parks.

MORE THAN 200 FREE PROGRAMS AND THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS

 

Hunters Point Conservancy Clean Up On East River With Hundreds Of Volunteers

 The Conservancy's accomplishments are impressive.

It provides more than 200 free programs annually, reaching more than 20,000 participants. Activities include fitness and yoga, children's programs, movie nights, art classes, environmental education and public paddling.

Volunteers contribute more than 3,000 hours every year through planting, gardening and other activities.

One of the organization's most popular traditions is its annual Bulbfest.

Saturday's street-naming celebration followed the 12th annual Bulbfest, when hundreds of volunteers planted more than 16,000 flower bulbs throughout Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunters Point South Park.

Since the initiative began 12 years ago, more than 100,000 bulbs have been planted along the waterfront.

The tulips, daffodils and other flowers will bring another burst of color to the parks when spring arrives.

FROM FRIENDS OF GANTRY PLAZA TO A NEIGHBORHOOD INSTITUTION

The organization began in 1998 as Friends of Gantry Plaza State Park, founded by Long Island City residents who wanted to improve the waterfront and the quality of life in Hunters Point.

Following the opening of Hunters Point South Park, the organization expanded its mission and became the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.

Today, it works with both New York City and New York State Parks officials, advocates for park improvements and brings residents together through community activities.

The November 7 celebration also recognized the importance of working together. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Claire Valdez, the NYC Green Fund and Con Edison supported the Bulbfest event.

A STREET NAME THAT WILL MEAN SOMETHING FOR GENERATIONS

The corner of 50th Avenue and Center Boulevard is a fitting location for the new designation because it sits near the meeting point of the two waterfront parks.

For residents who have watched Hunters Point grow over the years, the new street name is a reminder that the neighborhood's beauty and quality of life depend on people willing to work to preserve them.

Long Island City has become one of New York's most desirable places to live, but its waterfront parks remain among its greatest treasures.

Congratulations to Julie Won, Rob Basch, Jessica Sechrist, Barbara Etzel , the entire Hunters Point Parks Conservancy board and staff, and all the volunteers who have helped make these parks such an important part of our community.

The next time you walk along 50th Avenue and Center Boulevard, look for the new name: Hunters Point Parks Conservancy Way. It is a recognition that is well deserved.

Photos Courtesy Of Julie Wons Office