Flushing, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-Corona) announced a $250,000 grant for the Queens Botanical Garden (“QBG”). The announcement coincided with the official opening of the new Unity Garden which was created with the funding provided by Rozic and Aubry.

“Our community is enriched by the Queens Botanical Garden and the staffs who work tirelessly to make sure it remains a place of learning and conservation,” said Assemblywoman Rozic. “It is with great excitement that we can support QBG’s expansion and I look forward to seeing the new Unity Garden come to life.”

“The Queens Botanical Garden, a green jewel in our borough, offers much needed open space for local residents and many other New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman Aubry. “We welcome the Garden’s newest addition, The Unity Garden. It is my hope nature lovers of all ages enjoy its tranquility for many years to come.”

“We have so many very dedicated, talented and inspiring people in this borough. The two Assembly Members who helped secure this funding know full well that it takes another kind of green to keep this garden green—and flowering!” said Susan Lacerte, Executive Director of QBG. “It is a thrill to thank Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry and Assembly Member Nily Rozic in person, in public, for their leadership in securing a grant from New York State to help us make a dream come true.”

Funding for the QBG went towards one third of an acre within the “Gardens on Parade” exhibit – which was originally showcased at the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. In addition to creating the new Unity Garden, renovations were made to the Backyard Gardens, Taiwan Garden, and Korean-themed Circle Garden exhibits.

Over the course of the design process, QBG sought input from the local community to re- imagine the historically-inspired section of the gardens with cultural elements, plantings, and environmental themes reflecting change and optimism, in keeping with the spirit of the World’s Fairs. Both Rozic and Aubry attended a design session to preview the working concept of the Unity Garden. The name for the new garden was chosen from a list of suggestions as a reflection of Queens’ diversity.