Project Daffodil

Our cycling excursion this week took us to Forest Park in the borough of Queens. Riding to Queens means we meet over on the east side at a Starbucks located at 60th and First and head over the Queensboro Bridge. I love the views from that bridge and it’s a great way to start the day. Nice easy pace for a 30 mile ride, cute little neighborhoods and friendly people. I just love how people stop and look at our group as we make our way. I guess 20 plus cyclists can be a sight!

We stopped to purchase lunch at a small deli in the town of Forest Hills. Boy did I hit the jackpot! Turkey sandwich, bag of chips and a vitamin drink for only…ready for this?…only $7.00! I thought for sure he’d made a mistake. The Manhattan prices makes one think a bargain is anything less than $10 bucks! Anyway, we had a nice picnic lunch in Forest Park. 538 acres of trees and fields. Lovely, just lovely.

Now unfortunately my point and shoot camera is in need of a visit to the camera doctor, so I wasn’t able to take any photos. So, I’m posting a photo I took some days ago. Now I want to share with you the significance of these daffodils. Someone on a previous ride had mentioned planting of daffodil bulbs after 9/11, but I had no idea of the magnitude until I researched it. May I introduce to you: PROJECT Daffodil.

Following the tragic events of 9/11, daffodils have been planted every year for the past ten years to serve as a living memorial for the victims. Did you know that blooming flowers are a worldwide representation of renewal, new life and hope and yellow is the color of remembrance?

It all started (and continues today!) with Dutch bulb supplier, Hans van Waardenburg. He has pledged to donate half a million bulbs to the project each year as long as there are volunteers willing to plant them. Over 20,000 New Yorkers have responded to this challenge, making the Daffodil Project one of the largest citywide volunteer efforts. So touching!