Astoria Park Alliance hosts first park clean-up of the season

Projekt NYC Mobilizes 75 Teens for Astoria Park Beautification Day, Contributing Over 150 Community Service Hours: Elsa Lucas, Becky Lin, Ethan Opuiyo, & Ian Klingman.

Astoria, NY — March 23, 2026 — Projekt NYC partnered with the Astoria Park Alliance this weekend to support the annual Astoria Park Beautification Day, bringing an extraordinary turnout of young volunteers from across New York City. A total of 75 teens participated, contributing over 150 community service hours.

Together, students raked and cleared leaves throughout the park, filling more than 160 bags and helping prepare one of Queens’ most beloved green spaces for spring. The event drew youth from a wide range of schools, including:

Bronx:• Bronx High School of Science• St. Catherine Academy

Brooklyn:• Brooklyn Lab Charter School• I.S. 303 Herbert S. Eisenberg• Rachel Carson High School

Manhattan:• Manhattan Early College for Marketing & Media Arts (MECA)

Queens:• Hawtree Creek Middle School• IS141• John Bowne High School• Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College• Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School• Motion Picture Tech High School• St. John’s Preparatory High School• Thomas A. Edison CTE High School• William Cullen Bryant High School

“Our young people showed up ready to work, ready to serve, and ready to make a visible difference in their community,” said Ted Psahos, Executive Director of Projekt NYC. “Their energy and commitment are exactly what makes New York City so special.”

Projekt NYC’s Teen Advisory Council played a key leadership role, managing check‑in, supervising volunteer teams, and ensuring that all students received verified community service hours following the event. Their coordination helped the day run smoothly and ensured every volunteer felt supported and engaged.

The Astoria Park Alliance expressed gratitude for the partnership and the remarkable energy the teens brought to the day’s efforts.

This event reflects Projekt NYC’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, civic engagement, and community service across New York City.

For more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit projektnyc.org or contact info@projektnyc.org.