taken at 90th Street and 165th Avenue before the cleanup by DSNY clearly shows the degree of overgrowth neighbors along 165th Avenue say is destroying their quality of life because of garbage accumulation after illegal dumping, foul smells and an increase in the rodent population. Forum Newsgroup photo by Natalia Kozikowska.
the sidewalk has reappeared after workers took several days to complete the weed and garbage removal along the nearly ten block stretch from Cross Bay Boulevard down to 82nd Street. Forum Newsgroup photo by Natalia Kozikowska.
Residents along 165th Avenue in Howard Beach have something to smile about this week. The overgrown weeds consuming the sidewalks and acting as a harbor for rodents and garbage have finally been cleared.
Two weeks ago, after neighbors alerted this newspaper about the conditions along the avenue, the office of Councilmember Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) and New York City Sanitation Department office of Public Information and Community Affairs were both contacted.
The overgrown vegetation severely compromises the quality of life according to those living there, with the weeds covering sidewalks and hiding garbage bags left by illegal dumpers. The smell of garbage fills the air, rats are running wild and the sidewalk from Cross Bay Boulevard to 82nd Street had all but disappeared under the growth.
The Forum visited the site after being contacted by several residents who say they are frustrated because it’s not clear which government agency is responsible for the cleanup of the problem area, which lies along the perimeter of city property and Gateway National Parkland.
A Gateway employee parked at the scene two weeks ago said he had offered to cut the weeds along the guardrail but was told it was not his agency’s responsibility. In addition, he added that the lack of cleanup from the guardrail to the curb has prevented Gateway from cleaning the property.
“A usual solution to this is that people get frustrated and burn down the weeds,” said one resident who asked not to be identified. “Fireman’s lives are at stake when that happens and so are our families and our property. It would be nice if someone would just come and clean up the avenue. I thought that was why we agree to pay such high taxes.”
Other outraged neighbors agree. “Does the Sanitation Department think that weeds don’t grow back when you cut them down? If that’s the case,” Joe M said, “my gardener would have been out of business thirty years ago.”
And although the concensus on the avenue is one of happiness that the weeds are gone, frustration still abounds. Residents say the problem is a persistent one that year after year is only solved after intervention. “It’s ridiculous that we have to turn to the local newspaper to get this avenue cleaned up,” said one man out walking his dog.
“Everyone here is happy with the fact that the weeds are gone but this should be something automatically done, without having to beg for a clean-up.”
“This is the perfect example of how community functions on a cooperative level,” Councilmember Ulrich said. “When we work together, we bring service back to the people where it belongs.”
Residents are encouraged to call The Forum and report any sightings of illegal dumping along 165th Avenue or any other problem locations. We will be happy to help you to report the problem to the proper agency and any reward initiatives associated with preventing illegal dumping.
By Patricia Adams
