Forest Park

Last summer, Victoria Ip, a Parks Intern and Cornell University Landscape Architect student, assisted with the re-design of the Jackson Pond Garden at Forest Park in Queens.

This garden, which was created in 1999 during a reconstruction project, was in need of a face-lift. Working with the Forest Park staff, Victoria examined the original planting plan, noted plants that were gone or damaged, and observed how the space was being used. With this information, she created an updated planting plan that complemented the existing plans utilizing Parks CAD facilities. Her project was studied by the Queens Greenhouse Staff and Olmsted’s Queens Design Team. In the fall of 2005, the Richmond Hill Block Association gave a donation for Phase I of the project and part of Victoria’s plan was implemented.

We completed the project this spring, with the help of Interns Yolanda Chow (Queens College), Gabrielle Marcigliano (Pennsylvania State University), and the Queens POP/PACT Horticulture Crew. The Horticulture Crew, supervised by APSW Eroll Ford, planted three shrubs and 550 perennials. New additions to the garden include Red Hot Pokers, Spurges, and Silver Mounds. The garden now feels more cohesive and balanced.

This format worked so well that this year Gabrielle, our summer Landscape Architect Intern, will be creating a landscape improvement plan for Oak Ridge, Headquarters for the Forest Park Administration.

On Monday, July 10, Jennifer Panicali, a 22-year-old seasonal employee in the Parks Department New Media Unit, was injured in the explosion on East 62nd Street while walking to work in Central Park.

Jennifer, a recent graduate of the CUNY Honors College at Hunter College, has been working with the Parks Department since June 12. A Staten Island resident, Jennifer has displayed remarkable intelligence and diligence during her short time at the Parks Department.

Jennifer underwent surgery Monday evening at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center. She is resting comfortably and is in stable condition.

The Parks Department wishes Jennifer a speedy and successful recovery and our prayers are with her and her family.