It's My Park! Day Festival

Pumpkin painting fostered children's creativity during It's My Park! Day at Two Coves Community Garden in Astoria. On Saturday, October 25, Two Coves Community Garden in Astoria organized a day of fun-filled activities for all to enjoy as part of It's My Park! Day, a citywide effort to care for and celebrate New York City's parks.

"We were thrilled at the large number of people who came, even in the rain. The kids had a fantastic time learning about worm bins, planting daffodil bulbs and painting pumpkins, while everyone got to enjoy fantastic, healthy food," Lynne Serpe, one of the event organizers, said. "And we got to meet dozens of new people from all over the neighborhood who were excited that such a unique green space exists—and thrives—in Astoria."

The event included pumpkin painting, live music, a raffle of a basket of garden goodies, an instrument-making workshop for children, a worm bin demonstration for indoor composting, a soil workshop, recipe sharing, a children's costume parade and much more. Members of the Astoria CSA cooked vegan chili using many ingredients from the garden and served hot apple cider and hot cocoa to the crowd.

Two Coves Community Garden is an all-volunteer community group licensed by the city of New York to design and operate the Green Thumb garden at Astoria Boulevard and 8th Street. Two Coves Community Garden gives ordinary residents the opportunity to grow healthy food, experience nature and beautify their neighborhood.

Pumpkins were donated by Triple R events, a project of Lynne Serpe and Robyn Sklar. Serpe and Sklar are long-time Green Party members who live as well as vote green and organize monthly fun and educational green events in Long Island City and Astoria. Serpe is a member of Two Coves Community Garden, where she grows eggplant, basil and much more. For more information about Triple R Events, visit http://3r-events.blogspot.com/.

Astoria Community Support Agriculture (CSA) is a mutually beneficial partnership between a local, organic farm and a neighborhood that desires fresher, healthier produce. Before the growing season starts, each Astoria CSA member purchases a produce share, which is delivered each week to ARROW Community Center. For more information, visit www.astoriacsa.com/.