IT'S MY PARK DAY at Montefiore Park - Community Presentation of the New Park Redesign & Bulb Planting

Montefiore Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) was founded in 1994 by Ms. Alida Palma, a Cuban immigrant and local resident who wanted to do something about the neglected triangular park and surrounding neighborhood just outside her window. She believed that by drawing the community together around a park, for its care, cleaning and upkeep, the neighborhood could also change and return to have a better quality of life. In continuing Ms. Palma’s original vision, MPNA works closely with NYC agencies such as Parks, Sanitation, Transportation and Police Departments, as well as with local community based organizations, advocacy groups for parks, elected officials, merchants and residents. Today, MPNA is planning the future of Montefiore Park along with local neighborhood people and other community stakeholders in order to make our triangular meadow of grass, trees, bushes and benches a truly vibrant and recreational gathering area for local residents, students, children and senior citizens. With community input from our monthly planning meetings and gardening & clean-up days, MPNA has drafted a long-term Action Plan and “re-visioning” for Montefiore Park. As part of the NYC Department of Transportation’s Plaza Program, MPNA has been instrumental in guiding the redesign of Montefiore Park which has converted the current “gated” grassland corridor into an open, inviting and recreational community park for all to enjoy. Our next programmatic activity will be our annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event, which takes place on the vigil, every December 1st.