Red, white and Blue fire hydrants in Council District 32.
Photo via Council Member Joann Ariola
South Queens residents have created “patriotic” red, white and blue fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood following an initiative from Council Member Joann Ariola and the Ozone Park Home Depot.
Ariola partnered with the Home Depot throughout June to create do-it-yourself paint kits for residents in Council District 32, encouraging residents to turn fire hydrants outside their home into “patriotic points of pride” ahead of America 250 celebrations on July 4.
Photo via Council Member Joann Ariola
Ariola said she spoke with members of the FDNY to ensure that the initiative could be carried out “safely and correctly,” describing the effort as a fitting way to celebrate America’s landmark birthday. She added that she could remember similar colorful celebrations when America celebrated its bicentennial in 1976.
“This is a major milestone in the history of our nation, and we thought what better way to celebrate than by helping my constituents to give their neighborhoods a patriotic face lift,” Ariola said in a statement. “I can remember all of the festivities and the painted hydrants in the community back when the country celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, and I wanted to bring that same kind of excitement and energy to this year’s celebration.
“Seeing those hydrants back then really reminded us all of just how much we love this country, and seeing so many families doing that now brings all those feelings back once again.”
Photo via Council Member Joann Ariola
Ariola and Home Depot provided around 50 DIY kits to local residents to beautify the area ahead of Independence Day, with each kit supplying specific instruction on how to appropriately paint hydrants.
“Each kit came with specific instructions about what kind of hydrants could be painted, and what parts of the hydrants could be painted without impeding our heroes,” Ariola said. “And from what I’ve seen, everyone really listened to those instructions and the results are amazing.”
Ed Lynch, executive vice president of the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association, credited Ariola for spearheading the project and promoting patriotism in the local community.
“It is it so great to see so much patriotism going on in the community,” Lynch said.
Howard Beach resident Nick Rotundo painted a hydrant near his house and said the neighborhood is “lucky” that the community has embraced the patriotic spirit.
“The red, white and blue hydrants are adding to the patriotism that our neighborhood shows year-round. I loved painting mine,” Rotundo said. “We are lucky to have a community that really embraces the spirit of our nation, and is so proud to show it all off.”