Op-ed: New York City Parks Finds a New Way to Push SQPA out of Roy Wilkins Park

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New York City Parks Finds a New Way to Push SQPA Out of Roy Wilkins Park

Roy Wilkins Park. Photo by Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons

By James Johnson

For more than 50 years, the Southern Queens Park Association has been the backbone of Roy Wilkins Park.

Since 1973, SQPA has provided afterschool programming and critical community services to families across Southeast Queens. It is more than a nonprofit – it is a trusted institution built by and for the community.

Today, that institution is being pushed aside.

New York City is constructing a $92 million, state-of-the-art facility in Roy Wilkins Park complete with a gym, pool, indoor track, and modern community space. These are long-overdue investments that our community deserves.

But the reality behind this investment tells a different story.

SQPA, the very organization that sustained this park through decades of neglect, will not have access to this new facility.

Originally, New York City Parks indicated that SQPA would be included. That promise has not been kept.

At this time last year, community leaders, stakeholders, and advocates were raising concerns, asking questions, and engaging in good faith about SQPA’s role in the future of Roy Wilkins Park. Several town halls were organized to get answers and ensure transparency.

The main question was simple: Why are two facilities being built in the same park?

There was a clear expectation that SQPA would be included, not sidelined.

The Souper Bowl Party Rocks Queens With Warm Food and Community Vibes

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The Souper Bowl Party Rocks
Queens with Delicious Hot Artisan
Meals and Culinary Treats

Article By Curator of the Souper Bowl Party Roni Anderson

Far Rockaway, Queens - Despite the blustery chill in the air on the last weekend of winter, it was a cozy, warm atmosphere inside the Conservation Coastal Center where many people came out for our second annual “Souper Bowl Party.”

Families and community members gathered around to enjoy a ladle of warm comfort in a bowl.

We had a variety of delicious soups this year, we had a vegetable pumpkin soup, provided by Beach Dunes Cafe restaurant, and vegetarian sandwich wraps, which were a big hit, compliments of Annie Mohan of Campaign Against Hunger.

Community member Miss Myrtle brought a vegetarian option of pasta chickpea curry soup, so yummy, and community organizer, member of the Feed My Sheep organization, and Eye For Decoration business, Aiysha Simon, decorated the space with soup-related decor, and brought her now famous super yummy broccoli cheddar cheese soup.

This year, I brought my Chicken Tortilla soup, with fresh homemade tortilla strips, I called the “Benito bowl” (a little nod to the NFL Super Bowl’s Bad Bunny performer), and I made an old favorite American-style creamy chicken and dumplings soup.. Scrumptious sweet treats were provided by TraOre Desserts.. and much-appreciated beverages were donated by newly retired EMS worker Mr. Ozzie, and photos by Rockaway’s fabulous photographer Mr. Darryl C. Madison and Qiky Kidz Rohn Boyd.