On Saturday, April 14, seven committee members spent several hours planting flowering quince shrubs and mulching the gently sloping quarter-acre park at Broadway and 137^th St. The students were joined by Alida Palma, founder and President of the Montefiore Park Association, Paul Evans from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and Nilda Mesa, Director of Columbia University's Department of Environmental Stewardship.

The CC '10 Service Committee, part of the Freshman Student Council, has organized service projects throughout the academic year. Michelle Tam, who heads the committee, said the group was eager to celebrate Earth Day by doing something for the environment.

Committee member Matthew Kudelka sought help from Mesa, who suggested Montefiore Park because she knew of Palma's work there for the past 12 years. "Alida took the area from a 'needle park' to one that is an oasis in a very urban setting, with community activities in the summer," Mesa said. "She also worked with the Police Department, Parks Department, community leaders and local elected officials along with her neighbors. She spearheaded an amazing turnaround."

Besides Tam and Kudelka, CC '10 participants were Tom Breen, Lennon Lee, Matthew Lee, Lauren Patrick and Jason Zhang.

Evans started the project by giving the Service Committee members a quick lesson in planting, mulching and watering, as well as selecting appropriate plants. Quince was chosen for its hardiness, easy maintenance and attractive blooms. Besides the quince that had been donated by Partnership for Parks, Evans supplied garden tools from the Parks Department.

In the weeks since the Service Committee's activity, the red quince buds have started to burst and the Montefiore Park Association has received another boost – this one from a loose change collection at Columbia's Government and Community Affairs Office. According to Lauren Feighan, the collection netted "close to $100," so it was topped off at an even $100 and has recently been turned over to Mesa.

The money will be used to paint the fencing at Montefiore Park and to buy more plants, Mesa said.

Photographs Top to Bottom:

CC '10 Service Committee members begin their mulching project at Montefiore Park, Broadway and 137^th St. From left, Lauren Patrick, Matthew Kudelka, Jason Zhang.

A corner of Montefiore Park, where the CC '10 Service Committee members gathered for some spring planting.

Planting crew, including CC '10 Service Committee members, gathers at Montefiore Park. From left, Lauren Patrick; Lennon Lee; Jason Zhang; Matthew Kudelka; Alida Palma, President of the Montefiore Park Association; Michelle Tam; Matthew Lee; Amalie Seyffert; Marina Seyffert; Paul Evans, New York City Parks Department.

Photographs By Michelle Tam