The Canarsie Merchants Association kicked off the school year with a Back to School Clean Up Day on Sept. 10, bringing residents, students, volunteers and business owners together to clean up the neighborhood.
The effort began at the Canarsie Municipal Parking Field on Rockaway Parkway, where participants spread out along the corridor between Farragut Road and Flatlands Avenue to clear litter and beautify the business strip.
The cleanup was organized in partnership with PaleFO Cinema, The Flossy Organization, Bink International Charity Organization plus City Council Members Mercedes Narcisse and Chris Banks. Students joined residents and merchants to lend a hand, adding to the day’s success.
“Canarsie is one of the most fascinating communities in all of Brooklyn,” said Norine Medas, executive director of the CMA. “The community’s splendor, history and resilience always shine through. CMA looks forward to continuing to uplift this great neighborhood by creating a much cleaner, safe and beautiful place to shop and do business.”
Leading the initiative was the Canarsie Cleanup Crew, a project launched earlier this year by CMA. Since its formation, the crew has removed more than 3,600 pounds of trash and planted over 120 plants throughout the area, making a visible impact on the neighborhood.
The CMA and its partners are planning additional projects this fall, including the unveiling of a new streetscape mural at the Canarsie Municipal Parking Field, supported by a grant from the Citizens Committee for New York City.
