At the East 86th Street Association, we are always looking for new ways to improve the neighborhood. I this case, all we had to do was to look up, into the trees! During a long and blustery winter it is inevitable that plastic bags, birthday balloons and various other debris gets loose, catches a breeze and gets caught in the trees. It is plain unsightly. 

What to do? Call 311, of course. In March, the Association placed a call, and within a week, the Manhattan Forestry Division responded by removing all of the tree debris between 80th and 89th Street on Third Avenue. That a Manhattan Forestry Division even exists, who knew? We do now, and we are working with the division to establish a regular schedule to inspect and clean tree debris throughout the area. The lesson? 311 is effective. We encourage the community to dial 311 with any complaints or issues, from homeless services to sanitation to tree care, it all helps!