By JANAKI CHADHA

After a long and cold months, with temperatures climbing, it seems like spring has finally sprung. To help get community parks ready for the new season, local Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj is hosting clean-up events in the area, one of which will take place at an ad hoc dumping ground on Mosholu Parkway on Saturday, April 25. 

Gjonaj expects the Mosholu Parkway event to be well attended, and said he thinks the surrounding community responds well to initiatives like this. He also noted how the event is particularly special because it will be happening around Earth Day, which is on April 22. For this reason, he feels that it’s a good opportunity to “get some of the youth in our community involved” and contact “local high school, as well as local community organizations and leaders to participate.”

Gjonaj pointed to illegal dumping as one of the reasons why a clean-up would be particularly helpful for the area. On a walk along the parkway, pedestrians can see discarded paper cups, brown paper bags and other debris scattered about. “We had a harsh winter on top of the dumping that has been ongoing. Thankfully, that has down-scaled quite a bit. But overall, the dumping and the harsh winter collectively have had an effect,” he said.

Illegal dumping has been an issue all along Mosholu Parkway, particular on the stretch near Webster Avenue, often turning folks off from taking a stroll along the park. Living in cleaner areas, Gjonaj notes, has an effect on the neighborhood.

“If you see a parkway where there’s stuff in currently, you’re probably going to be inclined to dump there as well,” said Gjonaj. “So the sooner we clean it up, and it’s presentable and enjoyable and usable, I would imagine that the residents will police it as well as prevent any further illegal dumping.”

Barbara Stronczer, a Community Board 7 member and neighbor living along the parkway said a cleanup was just right for this time of year. “Every park needs to be spruced up a little after the winter,” she said. “Everyone needs to be reminded to clean-up after themselves.”

The clean-up will start at 10 a.m. and continue into the afternoon. Volunteers are expected to gather at the corner of Webster Avenue and West Mosholu Parkway South. Assemblyman Gjonaj added, “I’m looking forward to the day, rolling up my sleeves, alongside my family and my staff. I take pride in the community that I represent, and the community that I live in.”