IS 141 Students Lead Volunteer Effort at Astoria Park Leaf Fest

Astoria, NY — A group of civic-minded IS 141 middle school students made their mark by organizing their peers to participate in the Astoria Park Alliance’s Annual Fall Leaf Fest. Sparked by their love for Astoria Park, friendship, and commitment to their community, these young volunteers gathered at the park on Saturday, November 16th, to help maintain one of the neighborhood's most cherished green spaces.

The student-led initiative brought together classmates, families, and friends who worked to rake, collect, and bag leaves across the park, which were then turned into compost. This meaningful effort not only supports the broader mission of the Astoria Park Alliance to ensure conservation and sustainability but also underscores the value of youth-led community action.

“We participate in the clean-up every year and always enjoy raking leaves,” said Ian Klingman, one of the organizers. “We thought it would be a fun activity to invite our new school friends to join in. We wanted to show that even kids can help our community and make a difference.”

“At IS 141, we have a civics class, and we were hoping to inspire more kids to get involved in community service,” added Alice Klingman, another student organizer. “It was a great way to spend a few hours with friends while giving back.”

Parents and community members complimented the students’ initiative, emphasizing the positive impact of their actions with many parents participating alongside their children for the first time.

The Astoria Park Alliance’s Annual Fall Leaf Clean-Up is a cornerstone event that relies on volunteers to help maintain the park’s beauty and accessibility throughout the year. For those who missed the November 16th event, there will be another opportunity to join the clean-up on Saturday, November 23rd, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For more information about the Astoria Park Alliance and how to get involved, visit https://www.astoriaparkalliance.org/ or follow us on Instagram at astoriaparkalliance

About the Astoria Park Alliance

The Astoria Park Alliance is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and improvement of Astoria Park. Through our volunteer work, we are dedicated to beautifying the 60 acres that we call the jewel of this neighborhood. Additionally, we create free, public programming that brings people to the park and builds community.

APA also advocates for green and open space in the park, with a keen eye on environmental issues. We maintain a close relationship with our fellow park users, facilitating communication with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and local appointed and elected officials.

Astoria Park Alliance hosts periodic Community Meetups at different venues in the neighborhood. Each year, from the start of Spring through the end of Autumn, we organize multiple volunteer opportunities in the park each month (usually biweekly).