QUEENS CIVIC CONGRESS Patricia Dolan COMMUNITY preservation AWARD
In 2024, Queens Civic Congress awarded its first Community preservation Award in recognition of the outstanding efforts of QCC past-president patricia dolan. pat dedicated her life to preserving the beauty and quality of queens neighborhoods.
With this award, we recognize the leadership qualities that pat exemplified. Queens civic leaders serve as volunteers to ensure the betterment of Queens, The Community preservation Award recognizes outstanding dedication and leadership.
December 2024: Presented to Barbara Larkin, president of Belle Harbor Property Owners Civic Association
After decades of community activism, Barbara became the first female President of the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association (BHPOA) on July 1, 2001. The late Pat Dolan and Barbara became great friends, knowing that Barbara was the sole caretaker of her 91 year old mother, and Barbara was determined to keep her memory alive through her activism. Her leadership capabilities were recognized when she successfully prevented then Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s dumping of impounded vehicles in Jacob Riis Park.
When American Airlines Flight 587 crashed in Belle Harbor, Barbara she rushed to PS 114, hastily set up as a triage center, and distributed donated food and drink to first responders. She worked collaboratively with Jonathan Gaska, then District Manager of Community Board 14. On October 29, 2012 Super Storm Sandy decimated the Rockaways, and as past president of the BHPOA, she worked with civic leaders and city, state and federal officials to ensure that funding would include groins, fortified dunes, along with other measures, designed to lessen the effects of erosion along the shore. Barbara recently testified at NY City Council on health and safety issues, including lack of adequate lifeguard protection. Recently, Barbara testified on behalf of the BHPOA in opposition to Mayor Adams’ City of Yes Housing Proposal. Barbara is also a member of Queens Civic Congress Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, as well as Events Committee.
After decades of community activism, Barbara became the first female President of the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association (BHPOA) on July 1, 2001. The late Pat Dolan and Barbara became great friends, knowing that Barbara was the sole caretaker of her 91 year old mother, and Barbara was determined to keep her memory alive through her activism. Her leadership capabilities were recognized when she successfully prevented then Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s dumping of impounded vehicles in Jacob Riis Park.
When American Airlines Flight 587 crashed in Belle Harbor, Barbara she rushed to PS 114, hastily set up as a triage center, and distributed donated food and drink to first responders. She worked collaboratively with Jonathan Gaska, then District Manager of Community Board 14. On October 29, 2012 Super Storm Sandy decimated the Rockaways, and as past president of the BHPOA, she worked with civic leaders and city, state and federal officials to ensure that funding would include groins, fortified dunes, along with other measures, designed to lessen the effects of erosion along the shore. Barbara recently testified at NY City Council on health and safety issues, including lack of adequate lifeguard protection. Recently, Barbara testified on behalf of the BHPOA in opposition to Mayor Adams’ City of Yes Housing Proposal. Barbara is also a member of Queens Civic Congress Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, as well as Events Committee.