Release: Avella Gives $210,000 Grant to Udalls Cove Preservation Committee

(QUEENS, NY) On Saturday, April 25th, State Senator Tony Avella was proud to present a check for $210,000 to the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee.

The money was allocated by Senator Avella from this year’s state budget and is part of more than $1.3 million he secured for programs and organizations throughout Queens. The money will allow the organization to purchase another portion of the wetlands reserve, further protecting the area from destruction or development.

With this $210,000, the preservation committee will focus on acquiring an area known as the Callendar Property, a marshy plot located immediately adjacent to the currently Udalls Cove Park boundary. The site has been vacant since 2006, when a house that was previously on the plot was torn down. Since then, the land has become more and more like a wetland as plants and other wildlife began inhabiting the site.

“In urban areas, preserving the wildlife space that we have should be among our top priorities as elected officials. Udalls Cove is home to several species of plants and animals that need our help to ensure that their habitats are not disturbed. As Vice Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, I am proud to be able to assist the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee in following through on its vitally important mission,” said Senator Avella.

“We were thrilled to hear Senator Avella’s surprise announcement on Saturday of this wonderful piece of news. The Udalls Cove Preservation Committee is very excited about the opportunity this creates for us to acquire another piece of land and incorporate it into our existing park. This is a hugely important step and a great start toward doing that,” said Walter Mugdan, President of the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee.