Quantcast

Students and merchants pitch in to help a park

2Notre-Dame-School-Jackson-Square-copy

It takes a Village to take good care of a park, as the members of the Jackson Square Alliance, local merchants and Notre Dame School student volunteers will tell you.

Working together, they’ve helped transform the once-derelict little triangle park into a lush and tranquil oasis at the intersection of Eighth and Greenwich Aves. and Horatio St.

All their efforts will come to fruition at a big neighborhood Halloween party at the park on Wed., Oct. 29, from 3 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Free treats and coffee will be provided, as well as prizes for best pumpkin and costume. Everyone is invited.

The pumpkin decorating contest will be at 3 p.m.; a canine photo shoot, sponsored by Biscuits & Bath, will be at 4 p.m. — with dog costumes provided for free portraits; and at 5 p.m., the costume parade — for humans and dogs alike — will kick off.

Notre-Dame-School-Jackson-Square-copy
Victoria Abad, Notre Dame School science teacher (center, in white), gardener Nancy Matthews and Notre Dame seniors in Abad’s environmental science class — which this year became an Advanced Placement course — in Jackson Square Park. Photo by Juliana Thomas

In a partnership with the nonprofit alliance, the students at the school, at 327 W. 13th St., have been working closely with the park’s gardener, Nancy Matthews, who has designed an experiential learning program for them.

The students also recently participated in a mask- and costume-making workshop for the Halloween bash.

The Halloween party’s sponsors include Biscuits & Bath, Starbucks, Think Coffee, Capitol Petroleum Group’s Mobil Service Station — which is located on the other side of Eighth Ave. from the park — and Mt. Sinai/Beth Israel Medical Group.

The alliance’s mission is to bring together neighbors, students and businesses to improve the quality of life in and around Jackson Square Park, maintain the park as an attractive neighborhood centerpiece, and enhance its use for everyone.