West Farms Rapids

The Daily Plant : Monday, August 14, 2000

SUMMERSTAGE CONCERT COMBINES MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Photograph by Malcolm (Cinema) Pinckney

On Sunday, August 13, an eclectic group of musicians brought a variety of sounds to Rumsey Playfield for the last weekend concert of SummerStage 2000. Femi Kuti's driving Nigerian beats, British electronica duo Lamb's folk- and jazz-influenced techno, Mark Anthony Jones' rhythm and blues, and Tamango's tap improvisation made for a diverse and exciting program. Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern was among the many attendees who showed up to enjoy the music in the Central Park.

CELEBRATION AND COMPETITION AT THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival made Corona Park in Flushing Meadows an exciting place to be on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13. This is the tenth year that the festival has been held in New York, attracting a diverse, multi-cultural audience of more than 30,000 attendees from throughout North America.

In the past nine years, Dragon Boat Racing has become one of the fastest growing competitive team sports in North America. Following New York's example, festivals have been founded in Atlanta, Boston, Norwalk, CT, Vancouver and Toronto. With more than 70 well-trained teams involving more than 1,000 participants competing from across the U.S. and Canada, this year's festival was notable for both its scale and its fierce competition.

The Dragon Boat races commenced on Saturday and ended with Sunday's exciting U.S. Dragon Boat Open Championship Race, when a $10,000 prize was awarded to the winning team. The festival, which took place on the site of the 1964 World's Fair, also featured cultural events for the whole family to enjoy. New Yorkers were treated to a parade, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Dragon and Lion dances, and musical performances featuring the Queens Symphony Orchestra.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, August 17, 1987)

A 50TH ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE FOR BRONX PARKS HEADQUARTERS

The 50th Anniversary Jubilee last Friday of the Bronx Parks Headquarters, located at 1 Bronx River Parkway, was a veritable smorgasbord of public celebration. For lovers of the decorous, there was the Bronx Parks Color Guard; for those who like to uncover Parks history, there was an unveiling of a copper-relief maple leaf plaque (made by Sheet Metal Worker Steven Yanolatos): for tree aficionados there was a pear tree planting, and, for those who like eating an abundance of green food, there was a huge, emerald green Parks maple leaf-shaped cake.

Opening the day's event were Bronx Color Guards APSW Jose Almonte, Seasonal APSW Benjamin Bonilla and CPW Miguel Nieves, clad in spiffy, fringed uniforms, who assisted Commissioner Stern, Congressman Mario Biaggi and Acting Bronx Parks Commissioner James R. Ryan in hoisting the American and Bronx flags (the latter is inscribed in Latin and means "Yield Not to Evil"), near the front steps of Bronx Headquarters.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"There is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats...or with boats....In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter."

Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932)

Know Before You Go

West Farms Rapids

The park is closed. This project will provide a vital link to the Bronx River Greenway, a continuous bikeway system stretching from Westchester County to the mouth of the Bronx River. The 2-acre riverfront park will feature a bikeway/pedestrian path in the park and a link along 180th Street to the existing and future Greenway to the north and south. The design includes new game tables, a butterfly garden, an amphitheater, and a canoe launch. Upgraded utilities include new water service for accessible drinking fountains and irrigation. New lighting throughout the park will improve security. Entrance plazas at East 180th Street and East Tremont Avenue will celebrate the entry into the park, provide seating, and guide bicyclists through the Greenway. Please pardon our appearance.
Anticipated Completion: Fall 2013