‘LIC Bulbfest’ Returns To Beautify Long Island City Waterfront

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — The weather is only starting to get colder, but the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy is already looking ahead to spring with the return of its "LIC Bulbfest" planting spree this month.

Volunteers will join the nonprofit this Halloween to plant more than 12,000 flower bulbs in Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunter's Point South Park that will bloom in the spring.

This year's event will feature a timed check-in process to facilitate social distancing, and volunteers must wear a face covering.

The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy will provide cleaned gardening gloves, sanitized tools and hand sanitizer, as well as masks for any participants who need one. Bulbs are being donated by Van Zyverden, an agricultural wholesale company.

In celebration of Halloween, volunteers are encouraged to come in "planting-appropriate" costumes. The best costume will win a prize.

"The parks have never been more important to our community and this year's Bulbfest promises to be extra special," Hunters Point Parks Conservancy President Rob Basch said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing all our neighbors and friends participate in keeping the LIC waterfront parks the special place they are by planting over 12,000 bulbs and watching the fruits of their labor bloom in the spring.”

Over the five years the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy has hosted the event, volunteers have planted nearly 35,000 bulbs in the two adjoining parks along the East River.

Volunteers for this year's event are asked to sign up in advance.