Forest Park

NY Cares volunteers ventured out to Forest Park on June 23 to participate in an enormous painting project. Their goal was to scrape and paint as many of the 150-plus benches at the George Seuffert Bandshell as possible. Luckily, the weather also cooperated and it did not rain until later that night, allowing just enough time for the paint to set and dry.

NY Cares is a non-profit organization that matches and mobilizes New York volunteer groups with suitable projects and provides group leaders, supplies and on-site training. Approximately 80 volunteers, from McKinsey & Co., showed up for the Bandshell painting project. They were amassed at the Bandshell and given instructions on laying down drop cloths, scraping, and painting. The volunteers worked tirelessly stripping old paint from the benches with scrappers and wire brushes. Then, a new coat of forest green paint was applied.

After being bruised and battered with paint on their clothes, hands and faces, the volunteers finished the day by rolling up the drop cloths and packing up the remaining supplies. In total, the volunteers were able to get a hard-earned 39 benches scrapped and painted. We would like to thank NY Cares and the volunteers from McKinsey & Co. for coming out to Forest Park and working on the Bandshell. If there are any other volunteers, including all you Parkies, who’d like to paint, we have 111 more benches waiting!