Parks Salutes Its Employees Of The Month (Part I)

Mary Cali is the Public Programs Employee of the Month for October.

Mary is the Chief of Staten Island Recreation and has been with Parks since 1999. As Chief, Mary is responsible for leading the creation, development and implementation of borough-wide programming and events, supervising borough recreation staff and working with recreation leadership across the agency to meet division objectives.

Mary is widely seen as a beacon of optimism by both her recreation staff and by her colleagues in the Agency. Mary is not one to allow Parks programming to be deterred by extenuating circumstances. Mary and her team responded proactively when the Cromwell Recreation Center collapsed in 2010. Responsible for the Teen Afterschool program, the Staten Island Recreation team, along with Shops, launched into action and helped create a new program room at the Faber Field House. Mary and her staff quickly transported equipment and supplies to set up a new home for computer training, art classes, poetry sessions, drama performances, and more. Under Mary’s leadership, teen programming was not just maintained but expanded.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Mary has once again taken a lead role in emergency response. She has been undaunted in her commitment to improve the lives of Parks staff in her borough. Mary has identified, visited, comforted, fed, and sheltered Staten Island Parkies affected by the storm. She has ensured that donations and important information were made available to Parks staff and their families on Staten Island who were displaced by the storm. For two weeks after Hurricane Sandy, Mary did not miss a day of work, working tirelessly for fellow Parkies, and has done so despite the fact that her own home sustained major damage, losing many of her personal belongings. She is truly a Staten Island Parks hero for her response to adversity.

For her indomitable spirit, her optimistic demeanor and her commitment to both her fellow Parkies and Staten Islanders recovering from Hurricane Sandy, Mary was nominated by Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs Annika Holder and Borough Commissioner Adena Long.

Sergeant Tony Prastaro, who was unable to attend last month’s ceremony, is the Public Programs Employee of the Month for September.

Sgt. Prastaro is an Associate Urban Park Ranger who began his career with Parks in 1998. He served as a Pool Sergeant for one year, on the Special Patrol Team for two years and as Plover Sergeant for two years before being promoted to full-time Ranger Sergeant in 2003. He was Supervisor at Forest Park and Salt Marsh Nature Center before accepting his current role as Custom Adventures Coordinator in March of 2012. In this role, he is tasked with outreach and scheduling programs for inner-city camp and youth groups; ordering and distributing needed supplies; tracking and collecting data; collecting program fees; and writing various reports.

This past summer, Sgt. Prastaro served a vital role of ensuring that the Rangers met their goal of serving over 2,500 inner-city youth through the Custom Adventures Program. This program provides youth groups from low-income or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods the opportunity to experience the natural world and gain an appreciation for the urban ecosystem. Customized day and overnight programs develop trust, problem solving and team building in a safe, secure environment. Activities include canoeing, fishing, archery, hiking, birding, orienteering, camping, and a scavenger hunt.

Sgt. Prastaro began his outreach in the spring by contacting over 200 summer camps and youth groups and following up with emails, site visits and attending camp fairs. He worked with Recreation and Aquatics to ensure that all 1,200 children in Parks summer camps were able to attend a Custom Adventures Program. As coordinator, Sgt. Prastaro assisted with purchasing and distributing supplies needed by the field and often assisted with the programs.

For his dedication and commitment to serving the youth in New York City, Sgt. Prastaro was nominated for Public Programs Employee of the Month by Sarah Aucoin, Director Urban Park Rangers and Bonnie McGuire, Deputy Director Urban Park Rangers, with the support of Annika Holder, Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs.


Green Tip of the Week: Storm Recovery
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, adopting environmentally-friendly practices might be the last thing people are thinking about. However, "going green" can help save money and build community, which is ideal for a recovery. With people displaced, disoriented and maybe without the physical means to rebuild their homes, a community tool exchange (CTE) can be a helpful first step. After agreeing upon a location, community members can either drop-off or borrow various tools to help with storm recovery. This stop-and-swap of tools provides you with the items you need without spending extra money. A tool exchange will depend on what people need and what they can offer, but common tools include lock-socket shovels, bow saws, wheelbarrows, duct tape, utility knives, first-aid kits and safety glasses.
Learn more here:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2004-04-01/Share-Tools.aspx

Submitted by Quanika Stover, Green Teens Intern

Caught Green Handed - Joe Carter
Arsenal West Green Guru Jeanette Emmarco caught Joe Carter retrieving paper from a waste bin to put it in its proper place in a recycling bin. 'Just Checking' Joe has been instrumental in stepping up the pace of the Parks Department's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle initiative. His cheerful, conscientious and consistent presence is a reminder to us all to do our part to engage in sustainable practices. Joe is a Job Training Participant with our Maintenance Team.

Parkies – Catch someone “Green Handed” at your work location! E-mail sustainableparks@parks.nyc.gov with your nomination.

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