On Sunday, July 28 the ASEZ university student volunteer group hosted the Moore Homestead Playground cleanup. with Assembly Member Steven Raga. The cleanup was part of their “Reduce Crime Together” campaign.
Around 40 volunteers gathered from Queens College, Baruch College, Partnerships for Parks, and Assembly Member Steven Raga’s district office. “Our main mission is to give New Yorkers the resources they need to care for their local parks,” said Adam, a representative of the Parks Department and City Parks Foundation joint program.
Before the cleanup began, ASEZ members prepared snacks, water and cleaning materials for all the volunteers. Cleaning up the community can create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone who visits CC Moore Park. Kristen Estevez, a university student from Queens College, noted that, “when we all work together in unity, we can make a greater change.” ASEZ members and Assembly Member Steven Raga’s team collected 27 bags of trash. Most were filled with plastics, balloons, bottles, and cigarette butts—unpleasant sights in parks where children often play.
Recognition and Lasting Impact
“Today’s cleanup in Elmhurst was a great success. Thank you to all the volunteers who joined and thank you to ASEZ for their partnership in helping us keep our community clean,” said Assembly Member Steven Raga before awarding ASEZ with a New York State Assembly citation.
The volunteers cleaned trash near seating areas, park entrances, and spaces accessible to young children. Raga mentioned that beautification and litter removal projects allow community members to “see how we should be taking care of our park and see that other people also care about their park.” Some locals were moved to help, walking over to dispose of trash in provided bags instead of littering the ground.
Moore Homestead Playground has daily visitors, and many more parks in New York City also need an uplift. That is exactly what ASEZ is here for. Saving the earth from A-to-Z is their mission. Given the opportunity, these student volunteers will keep setting the example of protecting communities, creating sustainability, and preserving spaces for everyone.
To view more ASEZ events in New York, click here.
