Season 6 Week 16
Photo by John Surico
Last week’s heat index — and torrential downpour — made us think of one of our greatest weapons to mitigate both: street trees!
We care deeply about our beloved tree beds over at 31st Ave Open Street. We’ve done cleanups for them. We’ve built benches around them. And we’ve advocated for more of them. (We see all of y’all on the west block, moving the outdoor seating to the shade.) Put simply: trees = good.
Now there are two big opportunities coming up to tell the city the same thing. The first is the Trees Count—every ten years, NYC Parks undertakes a ‘census’ for its trees (so cute) for future planning, and 2025 is the year! You can see how you can get involved here.
And the other is the Urban Forest Plan. This fall, the city is releasing its first-ever blueprint for the urban tree canopy, with a goal of expanding it to 30 percent in the coming years. Similarly, you can get involved there as well, with future events and workshops. More here.
Now, let’s talk about what’s goin’ on:
News Clips
New Yorkers for Parks launched a petition to reclaim the space underneath the Queensboro Bridge as parks and open spaces. You know we love to see it. (New Yorkers for Parks)
We know firsthand that protected bike lanes save lives, so this is real sad to read. (Streetsblog)
More libraries open on Sunday? Yes, please. (Gothamist)
Weekend Plans
SATURDAY
Free Screenings with SOMA Physical and Occupational Therapy: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
NYC-DSA Tabling to Defend New York: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
NYC-EWOC - Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Astoria Cat Rescue: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Free Career Day Pop-Up Event: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Indivisible Western Queens Tabling: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
STARS Rehabilitation Tabling: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
NYC Trivia League: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
SUNDAY
queer clothing swap: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Jinjoo Yoo Trio: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Astoria Cat Rescue: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Children’s Book Sale for Gaza: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
GAZA NEEDS US NOW SALE: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
art & kufiyas for gaza aid: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
QFFP - Leo SZN Birthday Fundraiser: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Playful Hearts Project - Cookies & Cold Brew: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Bringing NYC Mesh to Astoria: 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Piece of Quds – Palestinian Handicrafts for Gaza Relief: 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Indivisible Western Queens Tabling: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
New Yorkers United for Childcare Tabling: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Astoria Farmers Market: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Astoria Tenants Union: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
QNS Collab Community Tie Dye: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Astoria Food Pantry Tabling: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Zumba with Jessica: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The Astoria Philosophy Book Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
For information on each event, peek our events page, which stays more updated than this newsletter.
Upcoming Markets - August
If you’re interested in selling on the Open Street, read our FAQs first here and join our Markets WhatsApp group to get the latest news as markets are being planned.
8/10 - Astoria Farmers Market
8/16 - Rover Coffee Company presents Strolling Saturdays: An Open Streets Market
8/30 - 31OS Community Market + Vendors United
Join Your Neighbors!
Sign up for a setup, breakdown or tabling shift this weekend and join the 31OS crew!
All are welcome and no prior experience is required. The most help is needed 12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pm but shifts are available all day for anyone interested in keeping an eye on things, meeting neighbors, and talking with members of the community who may have questions.
All are welcome!
Saturday 8/9
Sunday 8/10
For more info on the types of shifts, or to see what are available for signups check out our Volunteer page.
If you want to help, but can’t make it to the street in person, there are lots of other tasks and projects we’re working on throughout the week. Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to share what you like to do and we’ll reach out if we have something!
Stay Connected via WhatsApp
Want to stay in touch with 31OS and your neighbors even when the Open Street isn’t active? Use our invite link to join our WhatsApp Community today!
Share Your Feedback
We strive to make the Open Street a pleasant experience for all, so if you have any feedback that you’d like to share with the volunteers we’d love to hear it! Our Feedback form is available 24/7 for members of the community to send their thoughts directly to our team.
Support the Open Street
It takes a lot to run the 31st Ave Open Street, such as renting storage space, paying for insurance, or buying supplies like extra chairs, sidewalk chalk, and trash bags to keep our street clean. We list a few of the materials that we are in frequent need of on our donation page. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we also take tax-deductible donations via our Givebutter campaign for those who would like to contribute financially.
We also launched a campaign to fundraise for this summer’s Community Cookout series! One more movie and barbecue left, folks — let’s make them happen.
Every bit helps and we appreciate your support in making 31st Ave a better place for all! Thank you!
