By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Department of Parks and Recreation has organized a tree-care event this weekend in Richmond Hill.
Members of the Parks Stewardship team will be at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park on Atlantic Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to teach volunteers how to identify trees and best care for trees in the urban forest, as well as the proper techniques and tools needed to do so. Attendees are asked to come dressed in boots, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Space is limited and registration is required.
The Richmond Hill green space was renamed in 2008 after area native and legendary New York Yankees shortstop and broadcaster, Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto. It opened in 1938 and was officially named Smokey Oval Park in 1987.
The name refers to its location, across from a Long Island Rail Road terminus which once made the park a landing area of soot and ash from the railway smoke. It was also inspired by the oval-shaped mound at the front of the park.
Courtesy of NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
