Dannette Leininger Appointed Manhattan Deputy Chief Of Recreation

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Assistant Commissioner Annika Holder welcome Dannette Leininger to her new position as Deputy Chief of Recreation for Manhattan.

Dannette brings more than four years of experience at Parks and a lifetime of high-level competitive sports experience to her new role. Since 2008, she has been the Center Manager at the Al Oerter Recreation Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and has also administered the new contract with USA Pools for the operation of the Flushing Meadows Corona Aquatics Center. She has managed these facilities, two of the most state-of-the-art and popular within Parks, very effectively. Collectively, these sites host more than 42,000 current members. Dannette has also been instrumental in planning and launching innovative programming at the Aquatics Center, including the development of water polo and kayaking programs.

In her new role, Dannette will use her expertise to continue to further Recreation’s mission “to enable all New Yorkers to lead physically active lives through sports, fitness and outdoor adventure” within the borough of Manhattan. Dannette will work closely with Recreation Center Managers on initiatives and program strategies to increase membership, improve customer service, and diversify program offerings. Additionally, Dannette will lead other fitness projects in partnership with other agencies, outside organizations, and volunteer groups, all in an effort to keep New Yorkers moving.

Dannette is no stranger to taking on new challenges and reaching her goals. She was a member of the United States Olympic Handball Team in 1992 and 1996, the Georgia Games Co-Chairperson for Team Handball in 1997, 1998 and 2000, and she has been inducted into the Bloomington, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota (where she earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education) Softball Hall of Fame. She was also Parks’ Rookie of the Year in 2008. Dannette is married and has a two-year old son.

PLEASE JOIN US!

You are cordially invited to the opening reception for the exhibition Faith, Courage & Purpose: Artists of the Diaspora, a collection of 29 artworks by seven artists that highlight a rich tradition of Diaspora artists whose faith and courage have enabled them to continue on course in spite of racial adversity and exclusion.

Artists include Betty Blayton, Stacey Brown, Leroy Campbell, James Denmark, Essud Fungcap, April Harrison, and Charly Palmer. The exhibit is curated by: Karen and Sharon Mackey, founders of Mackey Twins Fine Art.

The opening reception is on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Arsenal Gallery, located on the third floor of the Arsenal (64th Street and 5th Ave). The exhibition is on view through February 28, 2012.

Join us for good company and to celebrate a rich tradition of African American vanguards. Additional refreshments will be served courtesy of Argo Tea.

If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Lantzas, Arsenal Gallery curator at 212-360-8163.

A fuller article on this exhibition will run in tomorrow’s Daily Plant.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“There's an old saying about those who forget history.
I don't remember it, but it's good.”

Stephen Colbert
(1964 - )

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