By Lisa Kava
In April, 2022, a group of people who live and work on West 72nd Street formed the West 72nd Street Block Association. Founding members placed flyers on high-visibility cross streets, such as Columbus and 72nd Street, and engaged in grassroots outreach, spreading the word. From the start, they had a common goal: “We wanted to focus on the quality of life on 72nd Street, bring the community together in cleanup and beautification efforts,” said Rita Genn, co-president and founding member, in a recent interview with West Side Rag.
In order to accomplish their goals, the members have organized community events that engage neighbors in group efforts. Almost immediately, monthly Saturday cleanups were instituted to pick up litter along the sidewalks and in the tree beds of West 72nd Street. In May 2023, the fledgling block association held its first Spring Community Volunteer Day. Two new events are scheduled for upcoming fall weekends and volunteers are welcome to both.
On Saturday October 21st, a Fall Daffodil Planting and Cleaning Event will take place from 10 a.m. to Noon (rain date Sunday October 22.) Participants will meet at a welcome table at West 72nd Street and Verdi Square. Block association members have identified 40 tree beds along 72nd Street, where daffodils will be planted. Bulbs will also be given to some superintendents on the street who have expressed interest in planting.
“The work is being done in conjunction with It’s My Park Weekend run by the New York City Parks Department, and the Daffodil Project which was established in 2001 in remembrance of those lost in 9/11,” block association member Maggie Murphy told the Rag. Daffodil bulbs will be provided, and volunteers are asked to bring gloves and gardening tools if possible. Volunteers will also work to clean the tree beds. ”Tidying up the tree beds and making sure they are litter free is part of our work to create a good environment for planting,” Murphy said. Trash bags, trash pickers and brooms will be provided. Advance registration is not required for this event.
On Saturday November 4th, “Tree Walk & Talk” will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine. This event is held in partnership with the Parks Department, and requires advance registration (email the block association for more information at the address below). Members of the Parks Department Tree Steward program will guide the group on a walk while describing the different types of trees that line city streets and how city residents can help care for them.
“We have been planting new trees on 72nd Street and a number of those in front of empty stores don’t seem to be getting all the attention they deserve,” Murphy said. “This is an event to make people aware of the trees on the Upper West Side, not just on West 72nd Street”
Community involvement and new members are invited and needed. “We regard West 72nd Street as the hub of the Upper West Side ,” Genn said. “It is a transportation hub with many express subway and bus lines, and a prime crossroad…[with] a thriving mix of homeowners, renters, families, businesses and tourists.”
For more information, email the West 72nd Street Block Association: w72streetblockassociation@gmail.com.
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