Alley Pond Environmental Center cuts ribbon on new temporary HQ

Local officials cut the ribbon on APEC’s new temporary headquarters on 76th Ave. Photo courtesy of Grodenchik’s office.

By Jonathan Sperling

Hundreds of people were in attendance on Monday as local officials cut the ribbon on a brand new, temporary headquarters for the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Alley Pond Park.

Approximately 400 people, including Councilmember Barry Grodenchik, Queens Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett and APEC Executive Director Irene Scheid, were also present as the ribbon was cut on the 224-75 76th Ave. location.

APEC is a nonprofit environmental education organization that teaches children and adults in the New York metropolitan area about protecting and preserving Alley Pond Park, open spaces and waterbodies. The organization also advocates for sustainable environmental policies and practices.

The temporary headquarters will remain on 76th Avenue for two years while its main building on Northern Boulevard is renovated and expanded.

“The fact that so many people attended the event shows how loved APEC is,” Grodenchik said. “With this wonderful new space, APEC’s programs and classes can continue uninterrupted while the old building gets an upgrade.”

Attendees of the grand opening also enjoyed fruit smoothies and vegetarian Bengali cuisine, interacted with animals, and took part in activities, such as a Play-Doh station and an aromatherapy spritzer class.

Councilmember Paul Vallone, Assemblymember Edward Braunstein, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee were also in attendance.