Alley Pond to Host Walkathon on May 1

Alley Pond Environmental Center will host its third annual walkathon on May 1 to raise money for its educational programming.

Liz McGlinchey, the center’s registrar, said northeast Queens residents should be inspired to take part in the event by one of this year’s participants – Millennium, one of the center’s turtles.

“We might bring out one of our tortoises to see if he wants to walk,” McGlinchey said. “We’ll wheelbarrow him across Northern Boulevard and see how far he wants to go.”

She said Millennium will likely take part in the walkathon, but one of tortoise friends could take his place if he’s not feeling up to the hike.

Preregistration for the walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the center, located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston. At 10 a.m., participants will set out from the center, cross Northern Boulevard and walk along Joe Michael’s Mile until they reach the Bayside Marina.

The two-mile walk will end at Alley Pond, where refreshments will be sold. McGlinchey said she expected an estimated 50 people to take part in the event.

“We started this as a smaller scale annual fundraiser,” she said. “The funds are not earmarked for anything specific. They’ll just get funneled into our education programs.”

She said those interested in walking should register in advance by calling the center at 718-229-4000 or emailing info@alleypond.com. But participants can also show up on the day of the event and register at that time.

Adults will pay $10 to walk, while children will be able to participate for free.