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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Charlie Vallone, Student Body President of Saint Francis Prep, on Cunningham Park Improvements
5:54:39
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114 sec
Charlie Vallone, Student Body President of Saint Francis Prep, testifies about the need for improvements at Cunningham Park in Queens. He highlights the park's importance to the community and the school, while detailing its current poor conditions and the efforts made to gain support for rehabilitation.
- Vallone is following through on a project his late father, council member Paul Bolon, had been working on for three years.
- The park faces issues such as water drainage problems, unleveled grounds, and ditches that cause injuries to athletes.
- Saint Francis Prep has partnered with the parks department and is requesting support for a multipurpose turf field for various sports and recreational events.
Charlie Vallone
5:54:39
Good afternoon.
5:54:40
My name is Charlie Malone, and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to present to you today.
5:54:44
A big thank you to the elected officials, committee on Parks and Rec, NYC Parks Department, and our community who has assisted in our mission for improving Cunningham Park in Freshmenos, Queens.
5:54:53
Some of you might know, I am the late son of council member Paul Bolon.
5:54:56
I also am student body president of Saint Francis Prep.
5:54:59
Our school has been working tirelessly over the year to improve conditions at Cunningham Park for not only our student athletes, but also our community.
5:55:07
My father was working on this project for three years before he passed, and I'm following through as this is important for the families within our neighborhood.
5:55:14
Cunningham Park is a gem in the community.
5:55:16
However, the upkeep and safety conditions have been extremely challenging.
5:55:20
Saint Francis Prep has had a good partnership with the parks department and has been in constant discussions regarding any developments going forward.
5:55:27
However, prepping the parks department, we need help.
5:55:29
The park experiences water drainage, flooded flooding issues after it rains every time, unleveled grounds, ditches causing athletes around the community to suffer many injuries.
5:55:40
When other schools hear they're playing at SFP's home field, they they abandon the games and they cancel them.
5:55:45
As much as we love this park, it's outdated and is in dire need of rehabilitation.
5:55:50
Our school, the community, and parks are hoping to receive your support from multipurpose turf field for a variety of sports and recreational events.
5:55:58
We have filmed a video with athletes who live all over the borough as well as community leaders with their testimonials and the conditions surrounding the park.
5:56:07
We had a legislative breakfast set up at the school, gaining the support of our community board, had thousands of petitions signed, and we even visited the Parks Department facility to get better informed on how the school can help and what we can do to get the next steps going.
5:56:20
Please support the request to make improvements to Cunningham Park and the quality of life and wellness for everyone who uses this landmark of District 26.
5:56:28
Thank you for your consideration.
5:56:32
I am.
5:56:32
Still playing drums,
Justin Brannan
5:56:30
Charlie, you still playing drums?