Fulton Park Street Picnic & Barbecue

It’s Saturday. There’s a threat of rain. Heat. Humidity. Sunshine. Clouds. Vacations. Holiday weekend. Politics. Campaigns. No shows. These were just a few of the issues the Fulton Park Civic Association had to contend with as they planned their first neighborhood street-closing picnic and barbecue. Under the deftly executed control of President Maria Gomez and help from Vice-President Tom Bock, the first of what is hoped to become an annual street festival was successfully enjoyed by about fifty or so residents and their friends.

Fulton Park neighbors visit with each other
during the neighborhood picnic

With music playing and the smells of a summer barbecue wafting through the neighborhood, curious residents as well as invited guests began to arrive at 4PM. Neighbors brought everything required to have a good time. There was music, barbecued food, salads, soda and bottled water to quench every appetite and thirst. Several families had their kids with them and for a small donation of only $5 per family, they were invited to consume as much as they wanted. Many left very satisfied after eating both store-bought food and an assortment of home-made dishes. Later, the deserts table was quickly left made bare.

50/50 raffle tickets were sold during the event and the drawing was held at the end of the event. A woman named Donna from Hastings, visiting a Fulton Park friend, was the lucky winner of $64. In a noble gesture, she asked the group there to accept her winnings as a donation to the Civic Association, saying she thoroughly enjoyed herself and wanted to help their future efforts. Many residents in attendance personally thanked her for her generosity. What a great way to end an event.

Greenburgh Town Supervisor candidate
Bob Bernstein stopped by for a hot dog,
cold water and conversation.

Speaking with many of the residents elicited the same response. They all wanted to do this again! It was a great way to meet more of their neighbors, enjoy some good food and spend some time with friends and family without the hustle of having to travel to another location. Fulton Park Civic Association President Maria Gomez says now they know what they can do differently or better for next year’s event. That sounds great – count us in!