You won’t expect the actions of rule-breakers at Powell’s Cove Park.

Parks Near Homes Face Increasing Theft Issues

In city parks that overlook million-dollar views, locals have taken it upon themselves to enhance their properties by clearing away plants and gravel from often-neglected public spaces.

As the warm weather sets in, problems at Powell’s Cove Park in Queens are escalating. Residents, frustrated by the actions of homeowners cutting down city trees for personal landscaping, are vocal about these illegal activities.

In a recent brazen daylight incident, an elderly woman was spotted “stealing the path” in this gravel-filled park, right in front of a local environmental group. Interestingly, this was the same group that had recently completed a $13,000 renovation funded by taxpayers.

“I was just checking on plans for a cleanup when I heard a noise. When I turned around, I couldn’t believe it—someone was scooping up rocks and putting them into a shopping cart!” Kathryn Cervino, president of the Coastal Conservation Network, recalled, still taken aback.

The suspect, according to Cherubino, had nearly filled a 5-gallon bucket with pebbles when caught in the act by the group.

Cervino confronted the woman, who pretended not to realize that what she was doing was wrong. In a surprising twist, the woman tossed her stash on the ground and then, incredibly, assaulted Cervino.

The pile of rocks that the would-be thief attempted to escape with had been laid down along a mile-long boardwalk in College Point Park as part of a restoration effort led by the Coastal Conservation Network.

This project, funded with $13,000 from a Greener NYC grant allocated by the office of City Councilmember Vicki Palladino, marked the first update to the trail since Powell’s Cove Park was established two decades ago.

Unfortunately, this theft isn’t an isolated case. Some locals have made a habit of cutting down city-owned trees to enhance their properties, which are valued at around $1 million.

“I’ve seen individuals literally digging up plants using shopping carts, trowels, and bags,” Cervino said. “Others have used nets to grab berries from the bushes.”

“There’s a lot going on. Quite a few people in the area have noticed.”

Other neighbors have also shared their concerns on social media, some even alleging they’ve seen thieves taking their stolen goods home.

To make matters worse, the park has become a hotspot for graffiti and littering, with benches and decorative stone elements damaged.

The park’s remote setting, lacking regular patrols from park department staff, makes it an ideal spot for delinquent behavior.

A representative from the Parks Service mentioned that they hadn’t received reports about such illegal activities. “If New Yorkers witness illegal acts in parks, we encourage them to report it to the Park Enforcement Patrol or the NYPD,” the spokesperson stated.

Cherubino expressed frustration over the situation, saying it creates a sense of entitlement for some individuals, allowing them to believe they can act without consequences.