The Daily Plant : Wednesday, November 28, 2001

INTRODUCING... PARKS’ NEW AND IMPROVED PROPERTIES DATABASE

After eight years of park acquisition, construction, and name changes, Parks has updated and expanded its master database of properties in the Emerald Empire. Parks’ Intranet Unit is pleased to offer this improved informational tool to all Parkies. It will be useful in a variety ways.

Previously, Parks’ Intranet featured a modest database of properties. Users could view basic information about parklands, such as the borough, property number or name, location, and community board. The options have now been expanded. Users may search by sub-properties, information about whether or not a park receives ratings, the City agency that owns the land, acreage, council district, and property type. An option has been added to order the properties by two fields, allowing for a primary and secondary order. In these ways, Parks has created a database that performs individual searches more quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently.

This improved database will serve the agency, from Borough Operations to Government Relations, by facilitating the exchange of information about our most basic resource: parkland.

Users can find information about playgrounds and park zones within our largest parks, such as Prospect and Pelham Bay Parks, by simply clicking on the subproperties button. Borough Maintenance and Operations staff can obtain a clear list of each property within their district. By selecting one box and specifying the district number, Parks can demonstrate all parks in a City Council Member’s district. To find out if any parks were added or modified users can specify the time period of their concern. Historical signs writers and routed sign makers will be able to reference their sites with greater ease. All across the agency, Parkies can search more information more speedily.

We consider this list to be a work in progress and welcome any corrections or suggestions. Please direct comments or corrections to John (Wagster) Swagerty at (212) 360-1304.

By John (Wagster) Swagerty

26 YEARS A PARKIE, BETTY KING DIES

The Daily Plant extends its sympathy to the friends and family of former Parkie, Betty King. Ms. King worked at Parks from 1968 to 1994. Eleven years before retiring, she was promoted to Principal Administrative Associate I. Ms. King died on Wednesday, November 21, 2001. Benta’s Funeral Home at 630 St. Nicholas Avenue and 141^st Street in Manhattan is hosting a wake this Friday, November 30 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and a funeral this Saturday, December 1 at noon.

CORRECTION

An article on Monday, November 19, 2001, War Memorials, Old and Renewed mistakenly stated that a paved plaza around the Bronx Victory Memorial had been renovated at a cost of $400,000. In fact, this number refers to the construction of the plaza.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT

(Wednesday, December 7, 1988)

NATURAL RESOURCES GROUP &

GREENBELT RECEIVE $165,000 GRANT

Parks’ Natural Resources Group (NRG) and the Staten Island Greenbelt have received a $165,000 State grant to fund various projects, Commissioner Stern announced.

The National Heritage Trust (NHT) of the New York State Office Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation provided the grant, the largest NHT award Parks has received. The fifth State grant in the last five years, it brings the total amount of support to NRG and the Greenbelt from the Natural Heritage Trust to $610,773.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Everything has been said."

Jean de la Bruyere