By Barbara Morris
Does Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. sound familiar to you?
It should. Check your calendar. We made a date last year. We are to meet with family, friends, neighbors and guests for a backyard picnic at beautiful Belmont Park. Some of our friends from Police Precinct 105 will be there as will officers from Nassau County’s 5th Precinct and from state and transit police departments. They are sponsoring this great once-a-year party for us, along with Community Board 13Q and the 105th Precinct Community Council. It is our annual National Night Out Against Crime.
Belmont Park is a very special place — not the usual run of the mill street fair. Last year, I was to attend a pre-National Night Out Against Crime meeting at Belmont Park. I was offered a ride but decided to make the trip a bus excursion to see a different route. I called Transit Information, 718-330-1234 and found out that from Jamaica Avenue and 160th Street I could take the Q110. That bus took me to Hempstead Avenue and 225th Street, and then I only had to walk a couple of blocks to Gate 35 at Hempstead Avenue and Cross Island Parkway. If you choose to drive, there will be plenty of free parking.
As you go through the entrance gate, you will see green grass protected by a white fence, similar to those seen in movies about the Kentucky horse country. There are beautiful flowers, bushes, trees, and a pond that is the private swimming pool of some neighboring waterfowl. Just beyond that, there is a huge green and white tent. A little further and a bit to the left there is a playground area where the young ones can spend their energy working up a big appetite for your picnic supper or, if you prefer, enjoying whatever food may be selected from one of the vendors who will be there. If you bring your own picnic please remember that this is an alcohol-free event and coolers will be checked.
So many people have been complaining about loud parties the past few years, we’re happy to tell you that our D.J. entertainment won’t generate any complaints. The Belmont horses and the folks who live with them are actually looking forward to us who have passed that stage in life. We hope you’re going to add your voice to ours and maybe even get up there to do The Slide or join the Conga Line.
In between eating, dancing and even singing (if you’d care to do that) there will be an opportunity to have pictures of the children taken, free Vehicle Identification Number etching of vehicles, (so bring your registration), information on getting free or low-cost health insurance, “Safe Kids” Child Seat Safety Check, and other information. This will also be a chance for you (and especially the children) to meet the Mounted Units and to see the gentle horses up close.
There will be many more things there too, but we don’t want to spill all the secrets here. Come and be surprised and happy.
Another important date to remember is Thursday, Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for an Open House barbecue at Precinct 105 hosted by Deputy Inspector Glen Kotowski, Commanding Officer, and the 105th Precinct Council. The address is 92-08 222 St., Queens Village. From Jamaica Bus Terminal, you will need the Q-1 bus. Since there are two different versions of the Q-1, you may wish to ask the bus driver to tell you when you reach your point of nearest destination. The Q-1 Braddock Avenue bus will let you off at 222nd Street while the Q-1 Springfield Boulevard bus will let you off at 92nd Avenue. The walk from either stop is only a couple of blocks.
These folks especially hope that families will come with their children not only to enjoy good food and fun, but to see the positive side of law enforcement at work.
