May Showers And June Flowers At Brooklyn Borough Hall
Brooklyn horticulture and district crews receive their awards from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowtiz.
Kathryn Kirk
What do Broadway, Herald Square and Brooklyn Borough Hall have in common? Of course, they’re all major destination points and transportation hubs. But according to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Borough Hall is also a major “crosswalk where people can visit the farmer’s market, meet friends, have lunch and enjoy the beauty of the gardens.” On June 9, Borough President Markowitz honored the work of the horticulture and district crews responsible for the lawns and grounds at Columbus Park in the Rotunda of Borough Hall.
Among those saluted were Gardener John Vei who is assisted by the gardening mobile crew of Assistant Gardener Raphael Perez and City Park Workers Carlos Romero and Jesus Meija. Park Supervisor Philip Lorenz, Park & Recreation Manager Lena Neglia and Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel were also acknowledged for their support, direction and leadership.
Each spring, the seasonal beds are filled with ‘Pink Impression’ and ‘Purple Negrita’ tulips, followed by summer ‘Victoria Blue’ salvias and purple verbenas. Edging the beds are blue-grey leaved ‘Hidcote’ lavenders and ‘Apple Blossom’ carpet roses. The sheared English yew topiaries and boxwood hedges in a fleur-de-lys pattern provide year-round interest.
Mr. Vei, a 22-year veteran of horticulture said, “It’s always nice to be told we do a good job. But we know it when people look and ask us questions while we’re working. I always smile because it means they stopped and saw the flowers.” In addition to maintaining Borough Hall, Mr. Vei and the mobile crew also garden at the Brooklyn War Memorial, Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cuyler Gore and the South Oxford Park in downtown Brooklyn. Congratulations to all for receiving this honor!
By Thomas Ching
Deputy Chief of Brooklyn Operations
GROW AT PARKS
More opportunities to grow at Parks are now posted on the Parks Intranet....
• Telephone Service Technician (Telephone Service Technician)/5-Boro – 005279
You can apply via email to grow@parks.nyc.gov. Remember to include the vacancy number in the subject of your email, on your resume and cover letter.
Job Opportunities for Parks employees can be accessed by phone. Dial 1-888-292-5653 to hear current vacancies, application deadlines and how to apply. The Job Hotline is updated weekly.
To see what these jobs entail and for other opportunities to grow at parks, please visit the Parks Intranet (http://home.intranet.parks/Home/main.aspx). You can access the postings three ways: 1) from the top of the screen click on Jobs or 2) go to Divisions to Personnel to Job Postings or 3) scroll down on the left side to Job Postings tab.
QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.”
Aldous Huxley
(1894 - 1963)