Commissioner’s Corner

Photo courtesy of the Bronx River Alliance

This week, we look back at the very enjoyable Amazing Bronx River Flotilla and congratulate everyone involved with the many Parks playgrounds names in Time Out New York Kids’ list of the city’s best playgrounds.

Amazing Bronx River Flotilla
On an overcast but calm and pleasant day on May 5, 170 paddlers made their way down the Bronx River from Shoelace Park at 219th Street to Concrete Plant Park near the Bruckner Expressway. They were the eager participants in the Amazing Bronx River Flotilla, which the Bronx River Alliance and NYC Parks have been sponsoring for 13 years. The paddlers filled the river with 70 canoes and a dozen kayaks, navigating their way through three portages with the help of nearly 80 volunteers from REI, Christodora, The Point’s Action team, BuildOn, and many individuals. Among the paddlers this year were groups from the Long Island City Canoe Club, the Sebago Boating Club and Friends of Brook Park, Council Member Joel Rivera, and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. The Flotilla originated as an effort to make the public aware that there is a river flowing through the Bronx—New York City’s only freshwater river—and that people could actually paddle in it. Now, 13 years later, it is the Bronx River Alliance’s most popular event. Following the Flotilla, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) organized short canoe rides for those who came to the Concrete Plant Park to greet the boats, picnic, hear music, borrow bikes with assistance from Bike the Bronx, and enjoy the afternoon. Sponsors Tryax Realty Management, Sims Metal Management, and Montefiore helped make the Flotilla a success.

Time Out New York’s Best Playgrounds
Great news for our Capital Projects team—many recently completed projects were featured in Time Out New York Kids’ 25 Best Playgrounds issue. Featured projects included: Washington Market Park, Indian Road Playground, Union Square Park Playground, Printers Park Playground, Hester Street Playground, Elmhurst Playground, Mullaly Park South, Seaside Nature Wildlife Park Playground, and Imagination Playground. If you’d like to view this feature online, visit http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/things-to-do/221731/25-best-playgrounds-in-new-york-city. In addition to Deputy Commissioner Braddick’s team, I’d like to commend the borough maintenance and operations teams, as well as our press office, for caring for and bringing attention to these great playgrounds.

Staff Spotlight
Staten Island CPW Michelle Hughes has stood out as a leader for the AMPS program. Michelle has taken on the task of daily entries and supply inventory. Her interest in and aptitude for using the AMPS system allows the district supervisots more time to inspect parks and address other district issues that may arise. CPW Hughes is also a talented photographer; her best shots are taken in the Parks in which she works!

Sincerely,
Adrian Benepe

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Choose your pleasures for yourself and do not let them be imposed on you.”

Lord Chesterfield
(1694 – 1773)

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