Hunter’s Point Parks Conservancy is beginning a new series called “Humans of LIC” to highlight our volunteers, park-goers, and park workers. We want to show why they make our Park so great. It is because of them, that we are all able to enjoy the beautiful park each and every day.
Today, we are continuing our series with a wonderful Gantry Plaza State Park horticultural technician, Katherine Poulos. We are happy to share her experience and have her be a part of the “Humans of LIC” campaign. Keep reading to find out more about Katherine’s journey with us!
“Full Name
Katherine Poulos
Title/Involvement with the parks/HPPC
Horticultural Technician at Gantry Plaza State Park
How long have you been involved here?
I’ve been working at Gantry Plaza State Park for 1 year and 5 months
What is your favorite place in the park?
My favorite place in the park is under the red maple trees on the Peninsula. These trees are interesting to look at all year, with beautiful red twigs in the winter, bright red flowers in the spring, and bright red leaves in the fall. I love this location for bird watching, as cardinals and warblers are attracted to maple trees for food and shelter. The location is especially great in the summer when I’m looking for some much-needed shade.
Why is this park important to you?
From working with volunteers and interacting with patrons, I have come to understand how much Gantry Plaza State Park means as a green space to the Long Island City community. It’s important for me to continue maintaining the plants in the park with HPPC so community members have beautiful trees that provide shade for family picnics, flowers that attract butterflies and birds so visitors can learn about wildlife in our education programs, magnificent ornamental grasses that protect the soil and serve as a great backdrop for photos for special events, and much more!
Is there anything you want park visitors to know?
We have over 30 species of plants in Gantry Plaza State Park, including over 20 species of trees. I encourage visitors to take a moment in between looking at the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline to notice all the plants in the park, including coneflower, catmint, river birch and bayberry, that are providing services to both humans and wildlife like protecting the soil, cleaning the air, and providing shelter.”
Thank you Katherine for your dedication to our parks! It is greatly appreciated to have you be apart of the HPPC community. You are one of the many “Humans of LIC” that deserve to be recognized for your commitment to the environment and to us!