New York Parks In Less Affluent Areas Lack Big Gifts

When Frederick J. Kress, who sits on the board of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, heard about it, he had only one thought: What about us?

Flushing Meadows-Corona, which has been the setting for two World’s Fairs, is considerably larger than Central Park, at 1,225 acres, compared with 843. Last year, its conservancy attracted $5,000 in donations.

The park’s bicycle and walking paths are cracked and pitted, Mr. Kress said, and its natural areas are overgrown with invasive species.  “Central Park is doing pretty well,” said Mr. Kress, who is also president of the Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces, noting that though Mr. Paulson’s home on Fifth Avenue overlooks Central Park, he grew up in Queens.  “I’m not saying he owes anyone anything, but how about you give Central Park $98 million and Flushing Meadows-Corona $2 million?  That two million would have gone so much further in an underappreciated park.”

Read more:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/nyregion/new-york-parks-in-less-affluent-areas-lack-big-gifts.html?hp&_r=0

Even In Death, Pennsylvania Senator Mike O’Pake Gives To Back The Community

Image via Wikipedia

Recently deceased Pennsylvania State Senator, Mike O’Pake is paying it forward, even in death.  The senator’s will includes generous donations to local institutions.

St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where Mike O’Pake graduated from, was bequeathed $2 million dollars.  The use of this gift was left to the discretion of the university.

Alvernia University, in Reading, will be the repository for the senator’s entire political memorabilia collection, which chronicles his 42-year career in politics.  Eventually the collection will be made public for use by students, scholars and for viewing by the public.  Alvernia University was also entrusted with the archives of Shillington native and world-famous author John Updike.  Alvernia University said it was “humbled” to be entrusted with the senator’s collection.

Alvernia is slated to receive money from the senator’s estate.  However, the amount is unclear at this time.  Also in the senator’s will are the Jesuit Center in Wernersville and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Reading.  What ever money remains, after all other bequests and bills are paid, is to be split between these three institutions.  Senator O’Pake’s properties and their contents were bequeathed to a caretaker of a disabled family member.

RIP Senator O’Pake.