On April 20, the spirit of community and environmental stewardship took center stage as MLB employees gathered at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. This collaborative effort, organized by Major League Baseball’s MLB Together team in partnership with Partnership for Parks, underscored the importance of preserving local green spaces and promoting inclusivity within the community.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, located just a stone’s throw away from Citi Field, faced neglect in terms of maintenance compared to its big league neighbor. However, with over a dozen MLB volunteers on the scene, the park’s baseball fields received a much-needed makeover. From revitalizing the infield with clay to weeding gardens and clearing litter, the volunteers rolled up their sleeves to restore the park to its former glory.
For Jennifer Cucchiarella, corporate engagement manager for Partnership for Parks, the event held personal significance. As a dedicated advocate for green spaces across New York City, Cucchiarella highlighted the pivotal role of community involvement in preserving and beautifying local parks.
The cleanup effort resonated deeply with April Brown, MLB’s senior vice president of social responsibility, who spearheaded the initiative. As a local resident and avid runner, Brown felt a personal connection to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. For her, the cleanup was not just about honoring Earth Month but also about giving back to the community she calls home.
Joining Brown was Sandy Chung, MLB’s manager of facilities and space planning, who frequents the park for her runs. For Chung, the cleanup presented an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of her neighborhood and underscored MLB’s commitment to community engagement.
John Schwarz, MLB’s community affairs manager, echoed Chung’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the communities where employees live, work, and play. For Schwarz, events like the Earth Day cleanup exemplify MLB’s dedication to its core values of inclusivity and environmental responsibility.
As the cleanup came to a close, the volunteers left behind a transformed park and a strengthened sense of community. Their collective efforts served as a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring impact of grassroots initiatives. Moving forward, MLB remains committed to fostering inclusive environments and championing sustainability initiatives that benefit both communities and the environment alike.
In the end, the Earth Day cleanup at Corona Park was more than just a volunteer event—it was a celebration of unity, stewardship, and the boundless potential of collective action.
Source: MLB employees give back to community with cleanup event at Corona Park