Former Garden School field to be named after Rory Staunton

On Thursday, May 18th, Community Board 3 in Queens voted unanimously to name our latest additional parkland, formerly the Garden School field, after Rory Staunton.

Letters of support were read from Congressman Joseph Crowley, Council member Daniel Dromm, Assemblyman Dendecker, Borough President Helen Marshal. The Jackson Heights Beautification Group and The Jackson Heights Green Alliance expressed their support for this.

Rory was an amazing 12 year old who attended the Garden School until his tragic death in April last year. After a fall while playing basketball during gym class at the school, a cut he received became infected with sepsis. Tragically, several days later Rory died in the hospital.

His keen political sense and his deep compassion for others are well remembered by everyone who was lucky enough to meet him, and we feel that naming the new park after him is a very fitting gesture to remember this bright young man.

We believe that it is also appropriate because Rory’s father Ciaran Staunton was instrumental in preventing the Garden School from selling their athletic field to a private developer. As a Board Member at the school, he was often the only person voting to try to prevent the sale from taking place. He believed that a park was the right use for this space, and the right move for the school, and he fought for that. When all seemed hopeless, Rory pushed his father to redouble his efforts, and with his help, the Jackson Heights community and political leadership succeeded in our dream.

So it is thanks to Rory, his sister Kathleen, parents Ciaran and Orlaith that today we have a new parkland there and not a 10 story apartment building, and it is time to show our gratitude to a family that has suffered so much, and also given so much.

For more information on Rory Staunton and the foundation set up in his name, go here: www.rorystaunton.com