Picnic at Maplewood Park aims to reclaim space

In response to a tragic shooting at Maplewood Park in Rochester, which left two women dead and seven people injured three weeks ago, the community is organizing a picnic to reclaim the space and restore its reputation as a peaceful area. The event, hosted by the Dezio and Gingello Foundation, will take place on August 25, offering food, drinks, and back-to-school supplies for families. Jake Bishop, the foundation’s executive director, emphasized that while the picnic is not a solution to the violence, it serves as a gesture of normalcy and a step towards healing. The picnic aims to bring back the light-hearted atmosphere the park once had, with support from veterans’ groups and human trafficking advocates. The event will run from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Maplewood Park.

Source: Rochester First