On a humid July morning, a group of nearly two dozen Kissena Synergy workers could be seen fanned out across Eastern Queens Parks, clippers and gloves in hand, quietly transforming overgrown trails into safer, greener corridors. The work is part of Kissena Synergy’s forestry and trails program, a grassroots initiative drawing together people from across the borough to care for their parks, neighborhoods, and one another.

Among those volunteers is Tyler Tang, a biology major at Boston University and a Queens native who enjoys giving back to the spaces that shaped him. “Exploring Kissena Park, I didn’t realize how big it was—or how much effort it takes to keep it in check,” he reflected. After hours of weeding trails and clearing overgrowth, Tyler found himself retracing his childhood footsteps. “I remember learning how to ride my bike, playing soccer with friends. After clearing some of the same paths I used as a kid, I can picture children today doing the same—and that feels really meaningful.”

The ecological benefits of the team’s work are tangible. Weeding trails not only improves safety for walkers, but also supports the growth of native species like hackberry, white snakeroot, and sweet gum. Mulching—used instead of herbicides—conserves moisture and suppresses weeds in a safer, more sustainable way. Down by the rain gardens bordering the park, another crew cleared overgrowth to allow better stormwater absorption, reducing flood risk in surrounding neighborhoods.

While much of their work is ecological, it’s also deeply human. Clearing litter is a constant. Recent finds include a drone, a discarded car tire, and—most alarmingly—a small safe containing firearms.

For Dylan Chung, a biological sciences student from the University of Connecticut, the work resonates on multiple levels. “As a kid I’ve always had a liking to parks as they were a great outlet for me to expend my energy.,” he shared. “Now looking at it, the people working behind the scenes maintaining the parks that we all love and cherish, put in a lot of time and effort to help maintain the aesthetic of these landscapes that we love.”

Dylan has also helped mentor vocational teams—students from partner programs developing career skills. “Helping them pick up trash lit a spark in me,” he said. “The smiles on their faces when they saw their work making a difference—that’s something I’ll never forget.” Dylan’s team has focused on some projects opening tight, overgrown paths, so neighbors can walk and bike together. One of the great things about Kissena Synergy is how it brings together people from different groups; as Dylan says, “working so closely with others really strengthened our friendships.”

The impact of Kissena Synergy goes well beyond park boundaries. The team also supports a local food pantry and canvass neighborhoods for Participatory Budgeting, a democratic initiative that lets residents directly decide how a portion of city funds are spent on local improvements.

Those interested in joining this energetic and civic-minded team can reach out to kissenasynergy@gmail.com or on Facebook for schedules.  They start at the Kissena Park Velodrome; from Sept to June working Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM a until 12 PM and from July and August often with teams starting at 7, 8, and 9 AM.

In an era of rising temperatures and deepening disconnection, Kissena Synergy is a reminder that local action can still shape landscapes—and communities—for the better.