Dear Editor:
Pershing Field Garden Friends (PFGF) and the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance, in conjunction with the Jersey City Parks Coalition and the City of Jersey City Division of Parks & Forestry, successfully completed its Pershing Field Eighth Annual Spring Planting and Reservoir Spring Enhancement on May 15, 2010. This project was made possible through a partnership with Goldman Sachs, a proud partner of the coalition since 2004. We were also fortunate this year to receive a generous donation from The New Jersey Tree Foundation.
We would like to thank all those who participated in this most worthwhile project. Our Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks volunteers worked tirelessly to complete our projects. A special thanks to our PFGF and Alliance volunteers Blake Hudson, Tess O’Brien, Patricia O’Hanlon, Pat Mangini, Vinny McNamara, Sean Connors, Isabella Mederi and Bob Murgittroyd, whose efforts made this project a huge success. We would also like to recognize PFGF member and retired school teacher Diane Brown, MS 7 school teacher Elizabeth Pasuco, PS 27 assistant principal Avis Johnson, school teacher Susan Blanchard, Parent Council President Gita Bhayani, and PS 25 parent Mr. Patel for their efforts in recruiting local students to assist in our planting. We were fortunate to have an excellent turn out of children from MS 7, PS 27, PS 25, and PS 14 in Bayonne. They were all a tremendous asset to our project. We are grateful to PFGF member Debby DeVenezia who donated gifts for our student volunteers through the AT&T Pioneers, a volunteer network. Thanks to local merchants, Joe & Neil from Central Ave. Liquors, Maria from the Central Ave McDonalds, Lee and Joe from Podewitz Deli, Yogesh from the Tonnelle Ave. Dunkin Donuts, Richie and Mark from Pizza Masters, and Metro Plaza ShopRite for donating food and beverages. Louie from Hudson Farmers Market provided the flowers. Thanks to Rodney Hadley, Director of Public Works /Jersey City Parks and Forestry, for his ongoing support and cooperation. As always, Pershing Field employees Russ Forti and Bob Stokes assisted us in our planting preparation, and John Moncayo worked with us throughout the day to make everything run smoothly. A special thanks to Rich Dwyer, PSE&G Regional Public Affairs Manager, who was instrumental in securing the donation from the New Jersey Tree Foundation.
Pershing Field Garden Friends and the Reservoir Preservation Alliance are members of The Jersey City Parks Coalition, a non-profit 501c3 organization. Our mission is to help develop, renovate, and maintain the parks and public spaces of Jersey City through advocacy and neighborhood empowerment. We believe that the beautification of our parks and public spaces dramatically impacts our quality of life, improves the well being of citizens, and spawns neighborhood revitalization.
For more information, or to volunteer call 201-259-1800.
Sincerely,
Laura Skolar and Steve Latham
Presidents
Pershing Field Garden Friends Reservoir Preservation Alliance