August 20, 2018
By Lauren Cook
Nearly 17 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, a New York City nonprofit continues to honor the memories of those who died with a citywide beautification project.
The annual Daffodil Project, run by New Yorkers for Parks, gives away 500,000 daffodil bulbs to city residents and groups, to be planted in public spaces around the five boroughs.
“We are very happy to once again bring The Daffodil Project to New York City, to beautify communities across every borough and bring us together in remembrance,” Lynn Kelly, executive director of New Yorkers for Parks, said. “The Daffodil Project is emblematic of so much of what makes New Yorkers great — we’re not afraid to get dirty and work together out of love for our city.”
Launched in the months after the 2001 terror attacks, organizers have overseen the planting of more than 7 million daffodils in public parks, gardens, plazas and tree pits along city streets. It is considered one of the largest volunteer efforts in the city’s history, and has become a powerful tool for remembrance, community building and education, according to New Yorkers for Parks.
Registration for The Daffodil Project is open through Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. and distribution days are planned in each borough.
Participants are urged to register in advance to secure a bulb order since the organization sees more and more sign-ups each year, New Yorkers for Parks outreach and programs director Emily Walker said.
“The bulbs always go fast, and we encourage people to register as soon as they can so they can be a part this uniquely New York City experience,” she added.
The borough distribution days are as follows:
Bulb distribution begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 12:30 p.m. Unclaimed bulbs will be made available to those on the waiting list and people who did not register between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.