Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe cheered on competitors at the Manhattan preliminaries on Saturday, watching players like American Bocce President Peter Rabito. Chef Lidia Bastianich from Lidias Italy helped kick off the event and awarded $1,000 in prize money to The Devils, the winning team from Queens.

The Citywide Bocce tournament brings New Yorkers out from every borough and from all age groups, Commissioner Benepe said. Bocce is sweeping the country and Parks is proud to bring this international sport to the City.

Queens-based teams swept the finals. Lidia Bastianich awarded the The Devils team members an $1,000 check. The team also won the chance to ride on the Parks float in the Columbus Day Parade. Queens Team Adriatica earned 2nd place overall and $300 in prize money. Manhattans American Bocce Club clinched 3rd place and $200. Last year, two teams from Brooklyn took 1st and 3rd place with participants from Queens earning 2nd place.

Participants from the Bronx played in Pelham Bay Park while Brooklyn players competed at Marine Park. In Manhattan, bocce enthusiasts gathered at J.J. Walker Park and in Queens, teams faced off in Juniper Valley Park. Winning teams from each borough dueled at Juniper Valley Park in Queens on Sunday, September 30.

The Citywide Bocce Tournament was presented by New York City Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the Columbus Citizens Foundation.

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Contact: Warner Johnston /Trish Bertuccio (212) 360-1311

Manhattan

Journey to Fort Washington Park this Saturday, September 15, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., for the 15th Annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival, sponsored by Con Edison. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, face painting, the antics of a stilt-walker, live music and a reading of Hildegarde Swifts classic story "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge," by Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Dr. Ruth. Guests can also tour Manhattans only remaining lighthouse.

Spend Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, at the 25th Annual Queens County Fair. A traditional county fair with Blue Ribbon competitions in livestock, produce, home crafts, arts and crafts, and more. Enjoy the Amazing Maize Maze, pie-eating, and corn-husking contests, pig racing, make-your-own-scarecrow, hayrides, petting zoo, carnival rides, and midway. Visit the Bavarian Garden and enjoy Irish and German bands, crafts, and food vendors. The Queens County Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park. The fun begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 6 p.m. Admission: Adults $6.00, Children (12 and under) $3.00.

Brooklyn

Come celebrate International Chocolate Month with the History Club on Sunday, September 16! This months focus is on our citys fine chocolate history. Join us at Marine Parks Salt Marsh Nature Center between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. for a discussion of chocolates local historic significanceand for some free samples.

Just this week, Hurricane Humberto hit the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. Have you ever wondered what causes a hurricane? What would happen if a hurricane hit New York City directly? Come down to the Blue Heron Nature Center to learn more about these huge storms that have been sweeping the world. The Urban Park Rangers can answer your questions and tell you what you can do to be prepared. Blue Heron Park is located at 222 Poillon Avenue. The event begins at 3 p.m. and lasts one hour.

On Saturday, September 15, join Dr. Harriet Davis-Kram, assistant professor at Queens College, at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in Pelham Bay Park for a look at the life of New York City residents during the American Victorian Era. Crime was an everyday affair and neighborhood residents often relied on gangsters and corrupt political organizations for aid in emergencies. Registration requested. The event starts at 1 p.m. and is located at 895 Shore Road.

"All I really need is love but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"

Lucy Van Pelt in "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz

CityParks Seniors Fitness will begin on April 30, 2007, at Marine Park in Brooklyn; Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx; Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan; and Astoria Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. The program will run through June 22, 2007 (see full schedule below).

David Rivel, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, said, We welcome senior New Yorkers to get fit, stay healthy, and have fun together in City parks this spring through our seniors fitness program. Especially in New York, neighborhood parks are excellent places for seniors to exercise and improve their health while meeting new friends and neighbors. Just like City Parks Foundations free sports, arts, and education programs for youth, our seniors fitness program aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity.

Parks and City Parks Foundation are proud to support the CityParks Seniors Fitness tennis, walking, and yoga programs, said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. We aim to help New Yorkers of all ages, shapes, and sizes discover how New York Citys 29,000 acres of parks can enrich their physical and emotional well-being by providing venues for fitness, peaceful respite, and making new friends.

All activities take place twice a week at each location. To maximize health benefits, participants are encouraged to register for two or more weekly activities and maintain regular attendance. Seniors interested in registering for CityParks Seniors Fitness can call (718) 760-6999 or get more information at www.CityParksFoundation.org. All equipment and instruction will be offered free of charge.

The health benefits of fitness activities for seniors are well documented. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help to maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis.

Dr. Eileen Callahan, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai Medical School, said, Fitness activity is a great way for seniors to maintain and improve their health. Many health concerns, including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, and possibly memory-loss, can be improved with consistent physical activity.

CPF appreciates the opportunity to work with Namaste New York and NY Walkers Club, organizations that will be providing expert instruction through the CityParks Seniors Fitness program.

The Spring 2007 Schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness is as follows:

Brooklyn - Marine Park
Tennis W/F 10 AM Tennis Courts Ave S & East 32 St
Yoga M/W 9AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St
Walking M/TH 10AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St

Bronx - Van Cortlandt Park
Tennis M/W 10 AM Woodlawn Courts Jerome Ave & E 233 St
Yoga M/W 9 AM Woodlawn Courts Jerome Ave & E 233 St
Walking T/TH 9 AM Woodlawn Courts Jerome Ave & E 233 St

Manhattan - Inwood Hill Park
Tennis T/F 10 AM Tennis Courts W. 207 St. & Seaman Ave.
Yoga T/TH 9 AM Tennis Courts W. 207 St. & Seaman Ave.
Walking M/W 9 AM Tennis Courts W. 207 St. & Seaman Ave.

Queens -
Astoria Park
Tennis T/TH 10 AM Tennis Courts 21 St. & Hoyt Ave. S
Yoga T/TH 9 AM Tennis Courts 21 St. & Hoyt Ave. S
Walking M/W 9 AM Tennis Courts 21 St. & Hoyt Ave. S

Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Tennis M/TH 10 AM Park Tennis Courts Meridian Road
Yoga M/W 9 AM Park Tennis Courts Meridian Road
Walking T/TH 9 AM Park Tennis Courts Meridian Road

Roy Wilkins Park
Tennis T/F 10 AM Tennis Courts Baisley Blvd. & 177th St.
Yoga M/W 9 AM Tennis Courts Baisley Blvd. & 177th St.
Walking M/W 10 AM Tennis Courts Baisley Blvd. & 177th St.

Background: From 2003 through 2005, CPFs Tennis Program for Seniors provided six weeks of free lessons at all skill levels each Fall. Due to the success of this program, CPF launched CityParks Seniors Fitness in 2006, which included and expanded upon the tennis program. The program began in three parks in 2006 and expands to six parks in 2007.

As in all of its programming and activities, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve. This program is generously supported by Zwicker Electric, The Tuttle Fund, the New York City Council, and New York State Senator Martin J. Golden.

Today, we begin the process of creating Seba Playground, a new, multi-use play area for children of all ages, with a tot playground, volleyball court, kickball court, and a skate park, said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. This groundbreaking represents a continued investment in Marine Park, and in improving the lives of Brooklyn residents. Parks & Recreation has completed $112 million in capital improvements in Brooklyns parks since 2002, with $110 million currently in design or construction.

Marine Park in Brooklyn will undergo renovations to build the new Seba Playground. Parks seeks to create this recreational area to provide a new active play space: while the tot playground will attract adventurous young children to come outside and play, the additional sports facilities will bring together older children and adults to engage in physical activity.

Breaking ground for Seba Playground is another example of a continuing trend of renovations to Marine Park. Marine Park surrounds the westernmost inlet of Jamaica Bay and for over the past 60 years, portions of the Park have been improved with recreational facilities, while others have been conserved to protect wildlife and plant life.

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Looking for an unusual and rewarding way to spend the time of day known as twilight? Join Dr. Aline Euler, Director of Education, as she observes the three ranges of twilight during Twilight Spring Peeper Walk on Friday, April 7, at Alley Pond Park. Listen to a chorus of spring peepers while admiring the partially illuminated city sky. To participate, head to Alley Pond Environmental Center at 228-06 Northern Boulevard at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

Bronx

Join your community for an exciting day of potato sack racing, spoon racing, basket making and face painting at the Spring Extravaganza at Hunts Point Recreation Center on Saturday, April 8. Raffles will take place while the event is in progress and the beloved Spring Bunny will also make an appearance. Head to the Hunts Point Recreation Center at 765 Manida Street at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday to take part in the seasonal fun.

Come for a hike and take home a new friend this Saturday, April 8, during Pet Adoption Day. The Urban Park Rangers and New York Animal Care and Control will be bringing cats and dogs in need of a loving home. The Pet Adoption will take place from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Greenbelt Nature Center at 700 Rockland Avenue on Saturday.

Try a tasty treat and discover why insects are really good for you when you head to Marine Park on Saturday, April 8, for Edible Insects. Yucky but true, some of the insects in the park contain some nutritional value, and Parks staff will tell you just which critters to consume. Stop by the Salt Marsh Nature Center at East 33rd Street and Avenue U at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday to learn more about these delicious delicacies.

"Jogging is very beneficial. Its good for your legs and your feet. Its also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed."

(1922-2000)

At a young age, Irving served his country in the Navy for three years on the USS Constellation CVA-64. He met Elisa deJesus on the dance floor in 1982; they wed on March 26, 1983. Later, they became the proud parents of Vincent (1985) and Justin (1988).

Irving began his work with Parks & Recreation on October 26, 1987 as a CPW, eventually becoming a Supervisor for various parks in Brooklyn, including Betsy Head Pool in Brownsville. That same year, he joined East Brooklyn Congregations, where he attended a 10-day training and became a dedicated leader. Irving went on to become deeply involved with the Brownsville Homeowners Association, serving as its president for two terms. Irving spent many tireless hours trying to better the Brownsville and East New York area, taking great pride in seeing positive changes take place. Even during his declining health, he continued to serve his beloved neighborhood.

Irving also served as an auxiliary police officer, and was an active member of Our Lady of Mercyenjoying many memorable moments in the church, including countless strategy meetings and family events such as family reunions and birthday celebrations.

Irving loved people, traveling, cooking, dancing, relaxing in front of his large-screen TV (especially when watching his New York teams, the Yankees and the Knicks), spending time with his family, creating and reliving memories, and making people laugh.

"Irving was wonderfully dedicated to his work, a true professional who approached his responsibilities with a passionate and positive attitude, sincere in every respect," said Brooklyn Chief of Operations Charlie Gili "He was a model supervisor and a genuinely good man respected by everyone who knew him."

One of Irvings last requests was for all who loved him to remain strong and to remember the happy times. Son of Aurelio Domenech and Natividad Torres, Irving is survived by siblings Robert, Manuel, Nancy, and Iris; his wife, Elisa; and by his sons, Vincent and Justin. Funeral services were held yesterday; condolences can be sent to the Brooklyn borough office.

*****

BROOKLYN'S SALT MARSH NATURE CENTER IS JANUARY'S "PARK OF THE MONTH"

Brooklyns Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park hosts some of the agencys most innovative community outreach programs. For the unparalleled beauty of its surroundings in Marine Park and for its work with area youth, the Salt Marsh Nature Center was recently named Januarys Park of the Month.

The Nature Center has helped introduce countless Brooklynites to the nearly 800 acres of marshland in Marine Park, and is an important center for youth educucationparticularly through the Ranger Conservation Corps.

Since then 2001, scores of students have participated in the Ranger Conservation Corps, many of them returning year after to year. Participants get school credit for their involvement and often find mentors in the Urban Park Rangers who run the center. The Rangers Corps takes part in wildlife management, creates interpretive displays, performs trail maintenance, and gets preference when applying for Parks Conservation Corps, a paid summer internship opportunity.

This past fall, the Corps created a Community Composting site at the Salt Marsh Nature Center. The Corps goal was to encourage community members to bring organic material to the nature center to be made into rich compost. So far, the Corps has collected nearly 300 pounds of leaves, food scraps, and grass cuttings from the community. The spring project for this group is an ongoing pollinator survey, which involves the planting of native wildflowers and incorporates the nature centers indoor and outdoor beehives.

The Salt Marsh Nature Center Afterschool program is unique in its focus on an environmental curriculum. Geared towards middle school students, it accommodates 20 children and is held three days a week. Weather permitting, the group takes walks on the nature trail and will be doing trail restoration work in the spring. Given appropriate funding, this program will be expanded to all of the Citys nature centers. And, as with all Afterschool programs, its free.

The Salt Marsh Nature Center is located near the intersection of East 33^rd Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn and is open daily, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter (closed on Wednesday).

Henry David Thoreau
(1817-1862)

It's official--spring is here! Take advantage of the season's delights by exploring one of dozens of hiking trails across the City. Some of the City's best hikes are listed below, but for a complete overview of hikes in your neighborhood, call the Urban Park Rangers--they might even be hosting a guided hike near you. It's also a good idea to check with the Rangers to get an update on trail conditions, especially if the weather has been rainy. To find the Urban Park Ranger station closest to you, call 1-866-NYC-HAWK.

In the Bronx, a great spring hike is Van Cortlandt Park's John Muir Trail. Named for the famous naturalist, the trail is unusual because it runs on an east/west axis. Those looking for a strenuous, uphill hike should start on the western side, at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue, and head east. For an easy, downhill walk, hikers should start on the eastern side at Oneida Stree and Van Cortland East. The trail takes hikers past the Old Croton Aqueduct and the Mosholu Golf Course. There are plenty of animals to be seen, and the luckiest, quietest hikers may even catch a glimpse of the coyotes that live in the forests.

In Brooklyn, the Salt Marsh Nature Trail is especially beautiful this time of year. The trail lies at the westernmost inlet of Jamaica Bay in Marine Park, and begins at the Salt Marsh Nature center. About a mile long, the trail is a gravel path that follows the edge of the salt marsh, giving hikers glimpses of wetland wildlife. In the spring, red-winged blackbirds sing among the cattails, and Beach Plum, Henbit, and Purple Dead Nettle bloom. A bridge at the beginning of the trail offers hikers a place to look for fiddler and horseshoe crabs.

The upper reaches of Manhattan hold a lovely out-and-back hike that begins and ends at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. Beginning at the nature center, the trail winds around the salt marsh and the famous Shorakapok Rock, the site upon which--according to legend--the island of Manhattan was sold. It passes a Native American rock shelter, then cuts through one of the best bird-watching areas in the City. After hikers have had their fill of cardinals, titmice, and woodpeckers, the trail continues on to Overlook Meadow, which boasts a spectacular view of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades.

A hike through Alley Pond Park in Queens will lead you around the "Kettle Ponds," which were formed 17,000 years ago by buried chunks of ice that melted and formed pools when the Wisconsin Glacier receded. The park lies on a glacier-formed ridge of sand and rock that marks the southern terminus of the Minnesota Ice Sheet. The ponds are host to freshwater and saltwater wetlands, tidal flats, meadows, and forest, creating a complex ecosystem that gives curious hikers a large variety of animal and plant life to observe.

To really get away from it all, hop on the Staten Island ferry and head to High Rock Park. Covering nearly 100 acres, High Rock contains five ponds and various wetlands, including Walker Pond and Loosestrife Swamp. Beginning hikers can wander at a leisurely pace through red maples, highbush blueberries, and skunk cabbage. More adventurous hikers can climb Mt. Moses, a 260-foot hill named for former Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. Because the trees are in bud, the overlook at the top of the mountain is panoramic this time of year, affording views of the Raritan Bay. Many of the trails in High Rock Park are connected, so ambitious hikers can walk for several hours through the woods, encountering few people and crossing only one or two roads. A variety of wildlife abounds on these trails: wood ducks, great blue herons, muskrats, hawks, owl, woodpeckers, frogs, and turtles.

"I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion."

(born 1972)

"Commissioner Benepe has directed us to make Parks & Recreation the greenest of green agencies," said Amy Freitag, Deputy Commissioner for Capital Projects. "The LEED certification of the Marine Park Community Center marks a watershed in our architecture program toward an environmentally conscious design aesthetic."

The project will provide the community with a new circular building to replace the existing boxy WPA-era Field House. The new building will contain a large room for community programming and facilities for Parks Maintenance & Operations new district headquarters. The structure will be built to comply with "The LEED Green Building Rating System, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings."

The LEED Certification process was devised by the USGBC "to distinguish building projects that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by meeting the highest performance standards". Projects registered at the beginning stages of design can qualify for regular certification or silver, gold or platinum certification based on the percentage of requirements, out of a 69 point checklist, with which they comply. The checklist is broken down into categories that assess the sustainability of the landscape surrounding the structure, water efficiency, use of energy, impact on the atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in the design process. The LEED rating system was developed and intended primarily to evaluate commercial buildings. Since this administrations landscape design policy has always advocated green design, it was logical to work towards certification for a new public building in a park.

To attain their goal of silver certification for the Marine Park project, designers will need to satisfy 33 to 38 of the listed requirements. To this end, they are creatively conceiving ways to incorporate green elements such as a vegetated roof, which will absorb rainwater and reduce the volume of runoff that can contribute to overwhelming the sewer system. The heating and air-conditioning system will be engineered with geothermal loops that tap into the aquifer underground and circulate groundwater that remains consistently at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, efficiently modulating the temperature in the building at a comfortable level in all seasons. Photovoltaic panels on the roof will capture solar energy and covert it into electricity. Structural and decorative materials made from recycled content will also be used.

Parks & Recreations own Landscape Architect Paul Rube, who just received his professional LEED accreditation, a team of his colleagues, and private consultants are in the initial stages of this exciting project. Director of Architecture Bruce Eisenberg looks forward to "bringing sustainable design into our parks. It is the first of many to come."

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Green comes from blue, but it surpasses blue."

The beehive, which was installed by the Sweet Pines Apiary, is a wooden hutch with a glass windowpane on the top. The structure is three feet long, two feet wide, and four feet high. "Its the perfect height for kids to see whats going on inside," said Urban Park Ranger Sergeant Lynda Miller.

What kids (and adults) will see inside are the workings of a busy bee society. The observation window makes it possible to watch as worker bees construct the honey comb structure of the hive. Amidst the bustle of the hive, one can easily spot the queen bee, marked by the Rangers with a green dot to distinguish her from the workers. Each year, the new queen will be marked with a different color as a record of the history of the hive.

The hive, which comes equipped with plastic tubing leading outside of the nature center so that the bees can access the plethora of wildflowers in the surrounding salt marsh, can house from 8,000 to 10,000 bees. The bees quickly become an integral part of the ecosystem. As they collect nectar from the butterfly bush, coreopsis, thistle, clover, and aster near the nature center, they will also pollinate these flowers and eventually help boost the wildflower population.

In addition to its benefits to the ecosystem, the observation beehive is a valuable educational tool. Specifically, it is used for the Urban Park Rangers Entomology Program, "Buggin Out". In addition, all visitors to the nature center can check out what the bees are up to everyday, and the response so far has been enthusiastic. "The kids are loving it!" Sergeant Miller said.

A beehive is a bustling place, and this beehive is no exception. Worker bees, young females, keep the colony running. They collect nectar from flowers to make the honey that will feed the queen and larvae back at the hive. They also produce the wax comb that structures the hive itself. Some worker bees have the seemingly easy job of guarding the hive and keeping it cool, but the 11,400 times a minute they beat their wings to keep the temperature down means they do not have much time to rest.

All the male bees in the hive are called drones, and their sole purpose in life is to mate with the queen. Not even equipped with stingers, they are the first to be booted out of the hive when resources are running low.

All of the activity of the hive revolves around the one queen bee. The workers select the queen as a two-day-old larva, and at eleven days she mates with approximately 18 drones. Then for the rest of her two-year life span, she lives with relative ease as she lays anywhere from 10 to 3,000 eggs a day.

The Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center observation beehive provides a chance to look into the fascinating world of bees firsthand, and it is definitely worth the trip to Marine Park just to get a glimpse of the queen bee. Now anyone can get a chance to see royalty in the parks.

For more information about Marine Park, please visit our website, www.nyc.gov/parks, or call the Citys non-emergency hotline, 311.

Written by Rebecca Silverstein

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Edible, adj.: Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a
toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm."

Ambrose Bierce
(1842-1914)

"Our programs are designed to introduce the public to natural areas in New York City," said Sara Aucoin, Deputy Director of UPR. "People may be familiar with a park in their neighborhood, but they often dont get the opportunity to explore the park and really enjoy it. Our programs open New Yorkers eyes to the possibilities of parkland."

During the summer, the Junior Ranger Summer Day Camp in Brooklyns Marine Park and Manhattans Inwood Hill Park combines educational activities with outdoor excursions that have New York Citys youth canoeing, fishing, and competing in team-building activities. The camp provides city youth with the chance to participate in an overnight campout, complete with a cookout, fireside chats, an evening hike, and a night spent slumbering under a blanket of stars. Even better, the camp costs only $50 per week, a "drop in the bucket" in comparison to other summer camps, said Aucoin. For families interested in nighttime adventures, campgrounds are available on Friday and Saturday nights at Alley Pond Park in Queens.

If camping is not for you, UPR offers daytime and evening activities in all 12 nature centers. For adventure seekers, the Rangers organize canoeing voyages in Orchard Beach Lagoon and biking explorations through Inwood Hill Park. Those looking to enjoy the serenity of the park can cast fishing lines or go birding. Through concerts, lectures, and nature walks, the Rangers fulfill their mission of educating New Yorkers about their natural surroundings.

UPR also runs the Natural Classroom for students in grades K-8. The program uses New York City parks as an outdoor classroom to teach lessons in cultural and natural history. In May 2004, the Urban Park Rangers conducted about 150 school programs citywide. The Rangers also offer a volunteer program for those interested in giving back to their green spaces. The volunteers assist the rangers in researching local history, writing program announcements and grants, and greeting visitors.

The New York City Urban Park Ranger program originated in 1979 as a means to protect city wildlife by patrolling the parks and educating the public about natural resources. The Rangers seek to increase biodiversity in parks through habitat restoration and enhancement, surveys, conservation, education, and species introduction.

With all of the programs that the Urban Park Rangers offer, every day can be a walk in the park. For more information about the Junior Ranger Summer Day Camp or other upcoming Urban Park Ranger events, log onto www.nyc.gov/parks and click on "About Parks", "Divisions", and then "Urban Park Rangers".

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The problem is not just what we dont know, but what we do know
that aint so."

Mark Twain
(1835-1910)

As Commissioner Benepe and his student helpers shoveled wood chips and laid logs, attendees took in the crisp, summer air and enjoyed trail mix and snacks courtesy of Balance Bar. Marty Grossman, an Alley Pond Park volunteer, said National Trails Day is a great way to generate the public interest in helping to maintain parks and trails. "We need all the volunteers we can get," said Grossman. "They really make a big difference in working to upkeep the parks and its trails."

National Trails Day NYC took place in parks throughout the city, including Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Marine Park in Brooklyn, High Rock Park in Staten Island, Alley Pond Park in Queens, and Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and along the Bronx River.

A variety of local organizations and community groups from around the city participated in National Trails Day. Groups large and small helped to restore trails by clearing pathways, planting flowers, and aiding in light gardening work. "We had a lot of hands to help us blaze the trail," said Dorothy Reilly, Director of Public Relations for the Greenbelt Conservancy in Staten Island. "What would have taken a few days or longer, was done in just one day."

Reilly and others constructed a new trail leading to a building in High Rock Park. John Dorn, Editor of Backpacking Magazine and Celina Montorfano, Director of Conservation Programs at the American Hiking Society, were among some of the volunteers on hand to help with trail restoration and planting vegetation in Staten Island.

In the Bronx, National Trails day participants enjoyed a six-mile canoe trip along the Bronx River. The purpose of the trip was to explore the area and gain public interest in parks, explained Elyse Leon, an outreach coordinator for the Bronx River Alliance.

National Trails Day began twelve years ago when the American Hiking Society instituted an annual event to celebrate the beautiful trails throughout the United States. The organization promotes hiking as a way to stay healthy and fit, and encourages communities to become stewards of their local trails.

National Trails Day NYC is sponsored by Parks & Recreations Natural Resources Group and Urban Park Rangers, Partnerships for Parks, Greenbelt Conservancy, NY/NJ trails conference, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx River Alliance, Balance Bar, EMS, and Backpacker. Thanks to the volunteers, private sponsors and community organizations, New Yorkers can take a hike on new, restored trails as the summer season begins. Special thanks also to David Kovall and Parks & Recreations Marketing and Special Events division for coordinating this meaningful day of special events across the five boroughs.

Written by Melissa Kuhn

"Everybody is looking at everybody elsea foolish crowd walking on mirrors."

(18791955)

From November to March, the opossums, bats, skunks, frogs, turtles and other animals host their own wildlife slumber party to survive the rough elements. Hibernation is a unique process that highlights the incredible ability of mammals and reptiles to adapt to their surroundings. When the weather gets colder, the food supply of vegetation, seeds, nuts, and insects for many of the animals in our parks becomes scarce. To compensate, some of these animals hibernate or slow their metabolic processes so that they require less energy to survive.

The groundhogs, mice and bats that live in our parks are true hibernators because their body temperature drops to within a few degrees of the outside temperature and their heart rate and respiratory rate also dramatically drop. Raccoons, opossums, and skunks are not true hibernators. Although they go into a prolonged sleep and their heart and respiratory rates decrease, their body temperature stays constant. These mammals all find places within the park to doze during the winter months. Groundhogs, mice and skunk winter in little holes underground, and opossums and raccoons seek shelter in tree cavities.

While you can see tracks of the animals if you look closely, it is rare to see a hibernating creature out in the open. But, the sleepy animals do make rare winter public appearances. "Its kind of like a wake-up, they come out, get rid of the toxins that are building up in their system and then go back to sleep," said Yvonne McDermott, Wildlife Manger of the Urban Park Rangers.

Reptiles, such as turtles, snakes and amphibians are true hibernators and have also adapted ingenious ways to deal with harsh winter conditions. Unlike mammals, these creatures are ectothermic, meaning that their internal body temperature matches the ambient temperature. These animals hibernate because they need a warmer outside temperature to run their metabolic processes.

Resourceful reptiles find unusual places to nap for the winter. Terrestrial turtles, terrestrial toads, and snakes hibernate in the crevices of rocks and trees. Salamanders burrow into the leaf litter below the frostline. Aquatic turtles create a small chamber called the hibernaculum. These turtles sleep in the hibernaculum under the water in the mud for months until springtime. Aquatic frogs such as Leopard frogs and American Bullfrogs need the oxygen found in the water bodies so they hibernate in the space between the muddy bottom of the water body and the water itself. When the temperature gets too cold and the water freezes, the frogs freeze too, but they do not die. Instead, these frogs "thaw out" and "come back to life" in the spring.

Although the hibernating mammals and reptiles in our parks are usually out of sight until spring, winter does bring new types of birds to the lakes and ponds in our parks. These birds are known as "winter migrants" and they travel here to escape the harsh elements of colder locations. Ducks such as the Widgeon and Bufflehead and small geese like the Brant and the Snow Goose fly down from Canada to spend their winter in the City. New York City is their "Florida." Keep your eye out for the visiting birds as they search for fish and vegetation on the larger water bodies in parks across the city. The small geese seem to be especially fond of vacationing in Gerritsen Creek by the Salt Marsh Nature Center in Brooklyns Marine Park.

Do you want to make a child very happy this holiday season?? Then be a part of the 5th Annual Central WEP Gift Drive!!

Based on the huge success of previous efforts, we are once again organizing a gift drive to collect holiday gifts for the children of Parks Work Experience Program (WEP) participants. WEP participants make significant contributions to parks and this gift drive is our chance to show our appreciation and support during the holiday season.

If you are interested in donating a gift, please e-mail or call Chris Chapman or Eva Charles, (212) 830-7732. You will be matched with a child's request to help guide your gift selection.

"Dreams are necessary to life."

(1903-1977)

"John Malone devoted his life to Brooklyn and the communitys youth, and this dedication is a fitting tribute to his commitment," said Commissioner Benepe. "With the support of the Bergen Beach Youth Organization, this center brings educational and recreational programs to thousands of Brooklynites."

McGuire Park, a 77-acre park, is home to a roller hockey rink, tennis courts, basketball courts and ballfields. Recently, Parks & Recreation built the John Malone Community Center there and renovated several of the parks athletic fields. A new multipurpose artificial turf field was constructed complete with remote control electronic scoreboards for baseball, soccer and football. To accommodate baseball players of varying ages, Parks & Recreation found a manufacturer to supply innovative portable pitchers mounds. These mobile mounds allow the infield to be adjusted to the proper dimensions depending on the size and age of the players.

Another field in the park received enclosed dugouts, a new irrigation system and also a state-of-the-art scoreboard. Athletes and their families now can relax in the parks new shaded open-air picnic area. The roller hockey rink received an elevated sky box for game officials to catch all of the action. Chief Engineer John Natoli led the project. Parks & Recreation Architect Richard Robbins designed the new center, and lead Resident Engineer Roberto "Bobbie" Bonilla worked with Resident Engineer Kurt Schroer to oversee the construction. Former City Council Member Herbert Berman allocated the funding for the entire $5.7 million project that was completed in October of 2002.

John Malone (1936-1991) served as community leader and was instrumental in bringing ballfields to the area. He was born on November 6, 1936 to Mary and Joseph Malone, Sr. in Gravesend, Brooklyn. In 1953, Malone signed with the New York Giants. He participated in their spring training camp but unfortunately sustained injuries that ended his professional sports career. However, he was inspired to create a sports program for the children of Brooklyn. John tapped into his sports expertise and began advocating for the youth of the community. His efforts, along with the assistance of elected officials, civic associations and community residents, led to the construction of additional ballfields and a field house on the vacant land adjacent to McGuire Park. In 1981, John founded the Bergen Beach Youth Organization. Thanks to his leadership, the Bergen Beach Youth Organization continues to serve thousands of youngsters through sports and afterschool programs. The organization also sponsors various senior citizen programs.

Johns family legacy continues his tradition of giving back to the community. His children count school principals, pastors and assisting public officials among their chosen professions. The John Malone Community Center and its nearby fields will continue to inspire both the young and young-at-heart to become involved in their neighborhood.

"Law stands mute in the midst of arms."

(106-43 B.C.)

"Bocce is something thats become a yearly tradition in Marine Park," said Bob Tracey of Tracey Real Estate, based in Marine Park. "It gives our community an opportunity to have a youthful approach to sports." Mr. Tracy noted that although many players in Brooklyn are older, a new generation of twenty-somethings from Cobble Hill have begun to heat up the competition.

"Weve got the old blood with new blood and theyre getting along so well," said Tony Buttacavole, President of the Staten Island Bocce Club. Mr. Buttacavole described one eager 93-year-old player who comes with his nurses aide and a "telescope on his glasses" to see the ball. He believes the annual competition gives all bocce enthusiasts citywide the opportunity to meet up and enjoy each others company. "It was a nice day out, and meeting all the guys we played last year was really great. I really want thank the Parks Department for running this [tournament]. It gives our guys something to look forward to each year," he added.

After a full day of excellent bocce playing by all teams involved, Queens teams took first and third places, and a Brooklyn team scored second place. Its quite apparent, however, that the pleasure of bocce is in playing the game.

Historians trace Bocces origin to Egypt around 5000 B.C., where it spread to Greece and later, the Roman Empire. Italian immigrants introduced Bocce to the Americas during the 19^th century, and the sport has grown immensely popular in recent years.

This Saturday, October 18, New Yorkers will gather in Central Park for the 6^th annual Falconry Extravaganza. Falcons, hawks, eagles and raptors of all sizes will fly above Central Parks East Meadow at this years event. Visitors will have the chance to look these enormous birds in the eye and to learn more about the Urban Park Rangers wildlife management programs. Wildlife experts, falconers, and rehabilitators will be on hand to answer questions. This event is free and will take place from 12:00 4:00 p.m. For more information please visit our website at www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.

"If we had no faults of our own, we would not take so much pleasure

in noticing those of others."

(1613-1680)

DONT DROP THE BALL ON YOUR CHANCE TO BE A BOCCE CHAMPION

It started in Egypt around 5,000 B.C. and spread to Greece, and later the Roman Empire. And since Italian immigrants first introduced Bocce to the Americas in the 19th century, its become a quintessential New York City sport. Dont miss out on the opportunity to compete for cash prizes in the Nutella 9th Annual Citywide Bocce Tournament. Preliminary rounds will be held this Saturday, September 13, 2003 in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island and the finals will be held in Juniper Valley Park on Sunday September 14, 2003 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Entering is free and you can register on-site Saturday morning between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. Bring your friends, and you will certainly have a ball. For more information, log onto the website at www.nyc.gov/parks or call 3-1-1.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

The man who lets himself be bored is even more contemptible than the bore.

Samuel Butler
(1835-1902) ]]> 2009-11-21T22:35:30-05:00 dailyplant16660 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/daily_plants/daily_plant_main.php?id=16660 Firefighters from across the city, New York State Court Officers, NYPD Officers, EMS workers and other rescue personnel along with their families spilled into the street on Arbor Day, April 25^th, to remember fallen Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo. Over 300 uniformed officers, family members and friends surrounded the tiny traffic triangle at Fillmore Avenue from East 57th Street to Avenue T in Brooklyn to dedicate this Greenstreet in honor of the life of Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo (1969-2001).

In 2002, Local Law 28 named the 0.033-acre Greenstreet for Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo. Firefighter Saucedo grew up on East 57th Street, just a few hundred yards from the site. Gregory Saucedo served 11 years in the New York City Fire Department, and tragically lost his life while helping people to escape the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

At Friday's dedication ceremony, Parks & Recreation Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel, Council Member Lewis A. Fidler, State Senator Carl Kruger, Assembly Member Frank Seddio, District Manager of Community Board 18 Dorothy Turano and Captain Frank Coughlin of Ladder Company 5 joined Firefighter Saucedo's family members to water a newly planted Zelkova tree and unveil an historical sign in memory of the fallen firefighter. The family also received a special street sign bearing Gregory's name.

Gregory Saucedo went to P.S. 236, Roy H. Mann, and South Shore High School. As captain of the football team, he developed a lifelong interest in fitness, especially weightlifting. He earned a degree in Education from Brooklyn College, and then decided to become a firefighter along with three of his childhood friends. At the Fire Academy, Saucedo set a class record for push-ups: 105 in just 60 seconds.

In June 1991, he began his seven years at Engine 321 in Marine Park. Working close to home enabled him to maintain close ties to the community in his professional, as well as personal, life. More than once, Engine 321 responded to an emergency at his neighbors' homes. In the neighborhood, Gregory Saucedo was respected as someone who would always lend a hand, whether to help fix a car or to shovel snow. In the fall of 1998, Firefighter Saucedo transferred to Ladder 5 in the heart of Greenwich Village. After fighting fires for ten years, he began to study for the Lieutenant's exam.

This Greenstreet in Mill Basin stands in tribute to a man who died as he had lived - helping others. Firefighter Gregory Saucedo will long be remembered for his gregarious nature, dynamic personality and good humor. We can find great strength and take great pride in the manner in which Gregory Saucedo lived his life. As Captain Frank Coughlin with Ladder Company 5 stated, "Greg's sacrifice will remain forever not only in the hearts of those who knew him, but for all who pass this way."

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience

in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror.

I can take the next thing that comes along"

You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

(1894-1962)

In Brooklyn, the Salt Marsh Nature Trail is especially beautiful this time of year. The trail lies at the westernmost inlet of Jamaica Bay in Marine Park and begins at the Salt Marsh Nature center. About a mile long, the trail is a gravel path that follows the edge of the salt marsh, giving hikers glimpses of wetland wildlife. In the spring, red-winged blackbirds sing among the cattails and Beach Plum, Henbit and Purple Dead Nettle bloom. A bridge at the beginning of the trail offers hikers a place to look for fiddler and horseshoe crabs. In late spring, the new growth of plants and flowers sometimes becomes so thick that they nearly engulf the trail, creating a green buffer that surrounds the trail and muffles urban distractions.

A hike through Alley Pond Park in Queens will lead you around glacial "Kettle Ponds." The park lies on a glacier-formed ridge of sand and rock that marks the southern terminus of the Minnesota Ice Sheet. The "Kettle Ponds" were formed by buried chunks of ice that melted and formed pools when the glacier receded. Water drains into the valley from the hills and bubbles up from natural springs, mixing with the salt water from Little Neck Bay. The ponds are host to freshwater and saltwater wetlands, tidal flats, meadows, and forest, creating a complex ecosystem that gives curious hikers a huge variety of animal and plant life to observe.

To really get away from it all, hop on the Staten Island ferry and head to High Rock Park. Covering nearly 100 acres, High Rock park contains five ponds and various wetlands, including Walker Pond and Loosestrife Swamp. Beginning hikers can wander at a leisurely pace through stands of red maples, highbush blueberries and patches of skunk cabbage. More adventurous hikers can climb Mt. Moses, a 260 foot hill named for former Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. Because the trees are still in bud, the overlook at the top of the mountain is panoramic this time of year, with views of the Raritan Bay. Many of the trails in High Rock Park are connected, so ambitious hikers can walk for several hours through the woods, encountering few people and crossing only one or two roads. A variety of wildlife abounds on these trails: wood ducks, great blue herons, muskrats, hawks, owl, woodpeckers, frogs and turtles.

In the Bronx, a great spring hike is Van Cortlandt Parks John Muir Trail. Named for the famous naturalist, the trail is an unusual one because it runs on an east/west axis. Those looking for a strenuous, uphill hike should start on the western side, at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue, and head east. For an easy, downhill walk, hikers should start on the eastern side at Oneida Stree and Van Cortland East. The trail takes hikers past the Old Croton Aqueduct and the Mosholu Golf Course. In the springtime, there are often impromptu streams, flowing as a result of increased rainfall. There are lots of animals to be seen, and the luckiest, quietest hikers may even catch a glimpse of the coyotes that live in the forests.

Finally, in the upper reaches of Manhattan theres a lovely out-and-back hike which begins and ends at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. The entire hike takes about an hour and half, when walked at an average pace. Beginning at the nature center, the trail winds around the salt marsh and the famous Shorakapok Rock, the site upon whichas legend has itthe island of Manhattan was sold. The trail then takes hikers past a Native American rock shelter, and through one of the best bird-watching areas in the city, known as "The Clove." After hikers have had their fill of cardinals, titmice, and woodpeckers, the trail continues on to Overlook Meadow, which boasts a spectacular view of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. From here, hikers can choose their own adventure: for a longer, more challenging walk, they can take a winding path back to the nature center by heading downhill and underneath the Henry Hudson Bridge. Beginning hikers should turn around at Overlook Meadow and head back to the way they came, re-experiencing the all the delightful spring views for a second time.

"All the things I really like to do are either immoral, illegal, or fattening."

(1887-1943)

Roy began his first tour with Parks on January 2, 1996 and stayed until April 30, 1999. After a brief hiatus, he returned on July 27, 2001. Roy works as a City Park Worker at the Zoo Garage. Roy is responsible for the Commissioner's vehicles and transportation. He attends hundreds of events with the Commissioner, ensuring that they get to their destinations safely and on time. During those duties, this year Roy spotted a man in Central Park who had collapsed. His quick calling in of this incident helped save the man's life. Roy is also the driver evaluator for administration, helping to ensure we drive safely and reviewing the rules for operating Parks vehicles. Calm and level headed, Roy is a terrific asset to the Arsenal and the Commissioner's staff.

Julio is a CPW and has been with Parks since November 4, 1985. Julio takes care of playgrounds in District 7 which includes Rose Hill Park, Poe Park, and PS 8 Playground. He cleans the playgrounds, removes waste, and keeps the sites graffiti free. His efforts have helped District 7 achieve a cleanliness rating of 94%, above our citywide average. Julio also goes out of his way to make sure the equipment, fences, benches, sidewalks, and signs are in good shape. With Julio down by the schoolyard, things get done. He was nominated by SPMO Felix Valentine.

Carlos is an APSW and has been with Parks since May 6, 1985. Carlos worked this summer as a seasonal SPMO Pool Supervisor. He helped oversee the busy crowds at Commodore Barry Pool and kept everyone cool during one of those hottest and driest summers on record. Now that autumn has arrived, Carlos supervises a WEP crew that removes graffiti and performs other projects boro-wide. Be-Cous-O his hard work, Carlos was nominated by PRM Arthur Decesario.

Jeremy is a CPW who started with Parks last year on June 7, 2001. Working with Greenstreets, Jeremy helps maintain 56 Greenstreets in District 1 and 31 sites in District 5. These districts have among the most Greenstreet sites citywide. Checking on dozens of sites each day, Jeremy performed weeding, watering, cleaning and planting. He helped keep the sites healthy, clean and attractive despite this year's drought. A just keen new employee, Jeremy was nominated by Gardener Kathleen Rosa.

Marilyn works as a Brooklyn Construction Resident, and she has been with Parks since December 22, 1997. She is just completing the oversight of the $1.5 million dollar renovation of the Marine Park Playground. This complex project included an innovative design of sea animals, coral, and a nautical boating scene. Her other construction projects include Penn Street Triangle, Bergen Beach Ballfields, Ashford Playground, and McKibbin Park. For skilled and capable performance of her duties, Marilyn was nominated by Assistant Commissioner Nancy Barthold.

(Thursday, December 14, 1989)

"The Star of Hope" shines again in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, after a re-lighting ceremony yesterday afternoon at sun-down. The large, five-point star, which marks the location of the nations first public Christmas tree, has 22 bulbs and sits atop a 30-foot cast iron decorative pole in the center of the park at 25^th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues.

Congressman Bill Green joined Manhattan Parks Commissioner Patrick Pomposello and pre-schoolers from the Single Parent Resource Center and the Prince George Hotel in Manhattan for the re-lighting of the star.

"You must not lose faith in humanity.

Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,

the ocean does not become dirty."

(1869 - 1948)

This award honors the best district operations within each borough. Parks staff who work in district operations are the direct providers of daily services that keep the parks clean and safe. The quality of a districts maintenance and operations can "make or break" a park. Each district faces different maintenance challenges, depending on its size, its natural terrain, and the age and popularity of the parks it contains. The winning districts were nominated by the Deputy and Borough Commissioners and were chosen in consideration of many factors, including ratings improvement, capital investment, acreage, and number of vehicle accidents. Since this is the first year Parks awarded the best district in each borough, in some cases, the award is in recognition of several years of high achievement.

Congratulations to District 7, notably SPMO Ralph Albano, SPMO Felix Valentine, Crew Chief Wash Anderson, Crew Chief Ismael Lopez, Crew Chief Ralph Alvarez, CPW Julio Aquino, and CPW Quyen Van Pham.

District 7 is large and diverse and has achieved some of the highest ratings. District 7 has 44 ratable sites and 55 ratable acres, including St. James Park and Williamsburg Oval. Their overall ratings for fiscal year 2002 were 90%, up 7.5% from fiscal year 2001. Their cleanliness rating was 94%, up 10% from the previous year. SPMO Ralph Albano credits District 7s success to his hard working staff.

"I also received a lot of support from the administration for getting me the supplies and staff I needed," Albano said. Bronx Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski praised Ralphs leadership, saying, "A core of workers have come together under Ralph Albano and they continuously rise to the occasion. Theyre a great bunch of people."

With 70 ratable sites and over 1,000 ratable acres, District 18 has more park acreage than any other district in Brooklyn. Their overall ratings were 91%, up 15% from last year. At 94%, their cleanliness rating was up 14%. The district encompasses over 93 properties including a regional park, Marine Park (798 acres), neighborhood parks, playgrounds, greenstreets, a nature center, "Forever Wild" sites and the historic Lott house.

District 18s tremendous improvement impressed Commissioner Julius Spiegel, who said he was "proud of the hard work that goes into maintaining a district of its size." Frederick Wilken, the current manager of District 18 said, "The award is due in part to the efforts of the former manager, Art DeCesario, volunteer groups, and the accomplished team that works in District 18. We work closely with the community and anticipate a continued partnership for years to come."

(Tuesday, December 5, 1989)

Is your golf game mired in a sandtrap? Sign up now for the winter golf academy, offered by Parks Sports & Fitness Programs division. The classes, covering rules, etiquette and the use of all golf clubs- woods, irons and puttersare limited to 50 students on a first come, first serve basis.

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;

what is essential is invisible to the eye."

(1900-1944), The Little Prince

Written by Jeffrey Sandgrund

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Thursday, September 28, 1989)
HELP CLEAN YOUR PARK

After a fun summer of playing in the parks, it's time to get to work in our green spaces during the Sixth Annual Parks Clean-Up Day. Parks is asking all New Yorkers who enjoy their local parks and playgrounds to spruce them up by planting, pruning, raking, sweeping, and painting on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The raindate is Sunday, October 29.

''New York City's parks are everyone's backyard, ''said Commissioner Stern. ''In order to keep our 26,220 acres clean and green, we need all concerned New Yorkers to give us their energy and enthusiasm. When the parks look good, people feel good.''

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
''Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.''
Albert Camus
(1913 - 1960)

Bronx

Crotona Park- Crotona Park East and Charlotte St.
Orchard Beach- North and South Lawn
Pelham Bay Park- Bruckner Blvd. and Wilkinson Ave.
Van Cortlandt Park- Allen Shandler Recreation Area, Jerome Ave., south of East 233rd St.
Brooklyn
Manhattan Beach- Northeast of Promenade, Oriental Blvd and Hastings St.
Prospect Park
Surrounding picnic house (Park West and 5th St., east side of Park Dr.)
South of Bandshell, off 9th St.
Nethermead Area, South Lawn at Wollman Rink

Manhattan
East River Park- East 10th St. and FDR Dr.
Highbridge Park- 177th and Amsterdam Ave.
Inwood Hill Park- Dyckman Field at Hudson River and Dyckman St.
Riverside Park- West 145th St. and Riverside Dr.
St. Nicholas Park- St. Nicholas Terrace at St. Nicholas Avenue and West 128th Street
Wards Island- East River and Hell Gate

Queens
Alley Athletic Field- Union Turnpike and Winchester Blvd.
Alley Pond Park- Winchester Blvd. and Grand Central Pkwy.
Brookville Park- Brookville Blvd. and South Conduit Ave.
Cunningham Park- Union Turnpike and Francis Lewis Blvd.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park- off Lake West and off Lake
East Forest Park- Woodhaven Blvd. and Forest Park Dr.
Springfield Playground- 147th Ave. and Springfield Blvd.

Staten Island
Cloves Lake Park- Clove Rd. and Victory Blvd.
Willowbrook Park- Richmond Ave. and Eaton Place.
Wolfe's Pond Park- Cornelia Ave. and Luten Ave.
Midland Beach- Midland Ave. and Lincoln Ave.

PARKS FACTS

Ever wonder what the largest park in New York City is? Think its Central Park? Guess again. Below is the list of the 10 largest parks in New York City.

1. Pelham Bay Park, Bronx 2,765 acres
2. Greenbelt, Staten Island 1,778 acres
3. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens 1,255 acres
4. Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 1,146 acres
5. Central Park, Manhattan 843 acres
6. Freshkills Park, Staten Island 813 acres
7. Marine Park, Brooklyn 798 acres
8. Bronx Park, Bronx 718 acres
9. Alley Pond Park, Queens 655 acres
10. Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, Staten Island 638 acres

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT

(Thursday, September 7, 1989)

The summer of 36 was so hot that Parks built 10 new public swimming pools before it was over.. A half century later, the City has begun to rebuild one of the biggest, the 100-by-246-foot Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem.

Parks broke ground for the $9 million reconstruction of the facility, located at 113th Street and First Avenue, on Thursday, August 31. Originally dedicated on June 25, 1936 by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Thomas Jefferson Pool was the second of the new swimming pools constructed by the Parks Department that summer with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds.

"Let us then suppose the Mind to be, as we say, white Paper,
void of all Characters, without any Ideas; How comes it to be furnished...?
To this I answer, in one word, From Experience:
In that, all our Knowledge
is founded; and from that it ultimately derives it self."

John Locke
(August 29, 16321704)

The parks in the project are Inwood Hill Park in upper Manhattan, Van Cortlandt Crotona Parks in the Bronx, and Willowbrook Park in Staten Island. The wells will be as deep as 320 feet, in Inwood Hill Park, to as shallow as just 47 feet, in Van Cortlandt Park. Interestingly, the wells at Inwood Hill Park and Crotona Park will be drilled into bedrock, a dolomite rock that can have fractures and channels able to transport water.

The project is funded by Mayor Bloomberg and will take only 60 days to complete. New York City is currently in a Stage 1 Drought Emergency. As of July 14, the reservoirs that serve New York City were 84.6 percent full and at this time of year the normal percentage is 93.6. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) suggests that New Yorkers install water-savings fixtures on toilets and showerheads, take shorter showers, and report all leaks directly to the DEP.

Read more about the June Capital Project of the Month.

HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST ACQUIRES TWO NEW HOUSES

The Historic House Trust has recently acquired two new houses. They are Hendrick I. Lott House in Marine Park, Brooklyn and the Brougham-Mallien Cottage in Blue Heron Park on Staten Island.

The Lott House, a Dutch farmhouse dating from 1800, is in dire need of physical restoration. Funds secured from the state through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the city through the Parks Capital Division will allow the Trust to restore the exterior of the Lott House while Artie Rollins and Parks Requirements restore the roof. The Historic House Trust is also working to create a preliminary interpretive plan for exhibitions and educational programming at the Lott House. This plan will focus on the 300 years of Lott family history - which so nearly parallels the history of Brooklyn and has been generously funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Brougham-Mallien Cottage is a vernacular 19th century house filled with antiques collected by Walter Mallien, the Cottages last private owner, during his sixty years as a Staten Island resident. Parks Requirements, under the supervision of the Historic House Trust, is replacing the Brougham Cottage roof and repainting the Cottage exterior to ensure that the structure will be preserved for generations to come. An Historic House Trust interpretive plan is also in the works and will be announced at a later date.

(Tuesday, July 25, 1989)

Risking life and limb, a Parkie tried to save the life of a youngster who was hit by a train and later died in a Queens hospital.

Ranger Paul Moroz was riding the Number 7 train on Friday, June 23. As the train idled at the 40^th Street Station in Queens, he heard the frantic calls of two young boys.

"They were yelling We lost our friend, we lost our friend!" Moroz said. Without thinking, the Parkie jumped out of the subway car and ran to the front of the train. Underneath the tracks, Moroz found 15-year-old Damen Page, who was bleeding profusely from two head gashes. Moroz ripped his shirt off, and using basic first-aid techniques he had learned as a Ranger, tried to staunch the bleeding.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"When two people love each other, they dont look at each other,
they look in the same direction."

(July 16, 1911-1995)

One of the original and longest serving borough commissioners, Julius Spiegel was appointed by Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis in 1981. An institution at Parks, and Brooklyn in particular, Commissioner Spiegel made the revitalization of Coney Island a top priority in the early days of his administration. He organized the initial clean up of the defunct Steeplechase area, paving the way for the introduction of concerts, festivals, and finally the new Keyspan Stadium. Behind the scenes, Commissioner Spiegel worked to secure $25 million in capital funding, organized new programming, and procured new amenities for the Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk area. His efforts have resulted in new comfort stations, shade-giving plantings, lifeguard stations, beach playgrounds, benches, drinking fountains and landscaped entrances to Coney Island. His vision and leadership have helped re-establish Coney Island as one of the premiere beaches in the country.

Sharon joined Parks on January 7, 1985 and currently works as WEP Crew Chief at the Bronx Garage. She and her crew clean and beautify the Ranaqua grounds, including the garage, shops and administrative building. Sharon is also coordinating all trip ticket collection for the borough, which has the highest level of compliance of all boroughs in our new citywide tracking program. Sharons diligent efforts to monitor vehicle compliance are helping us to better deploy and manage our fleet. Focused and organized, Sharon was nominated by Chief of Operations John Bachman.

John joined Parks on February 24, 1986 and currently works as a WEP Crew Chief in District 18, which includes Marine Park, Canarsie Park, and a total of 59 ratable sites and over 1,000 acres. Despite maintaining one of Brooklyns largest districts, John and his crew have achieved 91% cleanliness rating so far in 2002. He and his crew scour the district, removing litter and cleaning graffiti. Recently John has taken on the added responsibility of driving the district packer, and helped design a new and more efficient route. Attentive and productive, John was nominated by PRM Fred Wilken.

Magary joined Parks on May 7, 1984 and currently works as Capitals Supervisor for Electrical Engineering. Magary works closely with the Department of Transportation to coordinate lighting in and around parks. His efforts help keep parks safe and accessible after sun down, opening up parkland for evening concerts and moonlight strolls. Recently, he was instrumental in projects at Midland Fishing Pier in Staten Island and at Van Cortlandt Park Lake in the Bronx. For his brilliant and illuminating work, Magary was nominated by Chief of Design Paul Ersboll.

Higinio Caballero is Citywide Services Employee of the Month for May. Higinio joined Parks on April 27, 1977 and has worked as a driver trainer for PACT since the start of the program in 1993. Over the past 8 years, Higinio and PACT have helped over 800 participants earn regular drivers licenses, and over 150 participants earn CDLs. These are critical job skills that help workfare participants find permanent jobs. In addition, Higinio and his team have trained nearly 300 full-time employees for CDLs, developing additional qualified drivers to keep Parks rolling. His guidance and instruction in safe driving have helped focus attention on proper and responsible use of Parks vehicles. Efficient, friendly and focused, Higinio was nominated by PACT Director Jill Weber.

(Wednesday, June 14, 1989)

What do you do when you have exciting news and you want the whole world to know?

You shout it from rooftops, of course. Thats exactly what organizers of SummerStage did on the roof of the Arsenal building Monday as they announced the fourth season of the popular free public performance series at the Central Park Bandshell.

Salsa king Tito Puente and Latin music traditionalist Yomo Toro gave a preview of whats to come with a rousing rendition of "Oye Como Va" atop the 141-year-old landmark Arsenal building.

"Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thoughts

on the unthinking."

(June 5, 18831946)

Artistic Festival- Saturday, May 25
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Place: Marcus Garvey Park
The Harlem Ebony Artist Tribe invites you to its debut event featuring African-American inspired art exhibits, readings, and performance. For information call (212) 666-1071.

Canoe the Crotona Park Lake- Saturday, May 25
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: Crotona Park
Get a river otters view of the City while learning basic canoeing techniques with the Urban Park Rangers. For information call (866) NYC HAWK.

Saturday Nights Live- Saturday, May 25
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park
An evening of musical performance, with Jeff Berman. For information call (866) NYC HAWK.

Bike Riverside- Sunday, May 26
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Fort Tryon Park
Experience the parks with the wind blowing in your hair. We break for wildlife and beautiful nature scenes. Bring your own bike, helmet, and water to drink. Meet on the shore of the Hudson River at 125^th St. For information call (866) NYC HAWK.

"PLANT PROFILE"

James came to Parks in December 1999, bringing his business research and organizational skills to MIS. Being a self taught graphic designer, he joined the fledgling Intranet Unit in the Fall of 2000, responsible for design and implementation. Working side-by-side with a more seasoned graphic artist, he honed his skills and took over the role of Senior Developer in the Spring of 2001. Wanting to improve the look and feel of the Intranet, he set to work on a total redesign. What we see today on the Intranet front page and many of the resulting pages is a testament to his talents. When a particular division is in need of a logo, icon or graphic, it is not uncommon for them to turn to James. He is now well versed in many graphic tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. He is also proficient with HTML and Javascript.

Outside of work, James is an accomplished songwriter and guitarist. He is also interested in photography and photo editing. James makes his home in Flushing, Queens.

(Friday, June 2, 1989)

In its 130-year history, the Central Park Zoo has evolved from a Victorian menagerie to a "picture-book" zoo, and on to a high-tech animal boutique which now features exotic animals from around the world ensconced in simulated natural environments.

To help put the zoos pedigree in perspective, Parks will present "Creature Comforts: The Evolution of the Central Park Zoo," an exhibition on the history of the nations oldest municipal zoo at the Arsenal Gallery. An opening reception will be held on June 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, located at 64^th Street and Fifth Avenue inside Central Park. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The exhibition will be on display through June 30.

"The man who has no imagination has no wings."

Muhammad Ali
(b. 1942)

Visit the Bicycling & Greenways section of the website for more information about biking in New York City

Join the Rangers on the following bike tours. Bring your own bike, a helmet and water.

Bike Alley Pond Park, Queens
Saturday, May 11: 1 p.m.
Alley Pond Nature Center - Winchester Blvd, under Grand Central Pkwy.

Subway: 7 to Main Street.

Bike Marine Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 11: 3 p.m.
Salt Marsh Nature Center - East 33rd St and Ave U.

Biking the Drive in Forest Park, Queens
Sunday, May 12: Noon
Forest Park Nature Center - Woodhaven Blvd and Forest Park Dr.

Subway: J, Z to Woodhaven Boulevard.

Bike Riverside, Ft. Tryon Park in Manhattan
Sunday, May 26: 10 a.m.
Shore of the Hudson River at 125th St.

Subway: 1,2, or 3 to 125^th Street

For more information about the Urban Park Ranger Explorer Program, please call 866-NYC-HAWK or visit www.nyc.gov/parks.

(Monday, May 14, 1989)

Over 28 tons of Parks paper that would have otherwise gone to waste have been recycled sine the spring of 1987, through the Citys Office Paper Recycling Program run by the Department of Sanitation (DOS).

"We have a waste disposal emergency looming on the horizon," said Tony Solomita, the DOS Citywide Coordinator for the Recycling Program. "Were running out of places to put garbage. Sanitation hopes to recycle 40% of waste to ease the burden on our landfills. Also, Mayor Koch has just made recycling certain items a law. If you dont recycle, youre breaking the law."

"Pity is treason."

(May 6, 17581794)

The grant is an award from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act of 1996. These funds will allow the Trust to perform a thorough exterior restoration and mechanical systems upgrade on this 18^th century building so that it can be used as a museum. The Trust, Parks private partner for the preservation and interpretation of historic house sites in parks, will work with Parks Capital Division on the project. The design process will begin this summer.

One of the finest of the 20 Dutch farmhouses remaining in New York City, the Lott House is a remarkable witness to almost 300 years of Brooklyn history. Today, in order to prevent the house from being lost to development, the Lott House and the 0.75 acre surrounding it are in the process of being acquired by Parks and mapped as parkland.

The Lott Houses history mirrors major developments in American history in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Members of the family served in New Yorks colonial assembly during the early 18^th century and on the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Throughout the 18^th century, the Lotts worked their land using slave labor. Archaeologists from Brooklyn College recently uncovered evidence of slave life including a cosmogram, West African religious symbol, fashioned out of corncobs and shells in an attic crawl space in the 1720 section of the house, the first such evidence to be found in any house in New York City. The Lotts freed their slaves by 1810, well before slavery was abolished in New York State in 1827. A tiny room behind a hidden door in an upstairs closet, papered over with local broadsheets dated 1852, shows that the family went on to express their abolitionist views by participating in the Underground Railroad.

After the Civil War, Hendrick Lotts descendants sold off land to developers. The farm was gradually reduced from over 200 acres in the mid-19^th century to 25 acres in 1920 and 0.75 acre today. The last Lott descendant to occupy the house, Ella Lott Suydam, died there in 1989.

Because the Lott House was solidly framed when it was built in the 1700s, damage to the building as a result of age and neglect is limited to deterioration. These effects can be reversed. However, if the house was to continue to suffer from exposure to the elements without extensive repair, it would inevitably collapse. This $500,000 award from the State will allow the Trust and Parks not only to save the house, but also to turn it into a museum that tells the story of the Lott familys three centuries in Brooklyn.

(Wednesday, May 9, 1989)

A group of community volunteer workers, armed with rakes, shovels and garbage bags, joined forces with Parks employees last Thursday to launch a massive one-day spruce-up on the shoreline of Van Cortlandt Lake in the Bronx.

The labors began when Van Cortlandt and Pelham Bay Parks Administrator Paul Berizzi received a telephone call from Ray Ramirez, a concerned Inwood resident inquiring about a volunteer clean-up of the Van Cortlandt lake shoreline. Berizzi, who coordinated the clean-up, suggested a cooperative effort with Parks, in which the joint group would clean debris from the water and shoreline.

"The child supplies the power but the parents have to do the steering."

(May 2, 1903- 1998)

Thursday, April 18

Sunday, April 21

"I love what I am doing," exclaims Arthur Brodie when describing his job as a City Park Worker. Mr. Brodie began working for Parks in 1992 as a Summer Seasonal Aide. In 1997 he was hired full-time and began working in Bronx District 9. Known for his work ethic, Mr. Brodie completes all his tasks in a thorough fashion. When he cuts the grass, he keeps the lawns and ballfields of District 9 beautifully manicured and when he drives the garbage packer, he often completes the round twice in one day!

When not helping to keep our parks clean and green, Mr. Brodie spends his time at the Shakespeare Community Garden located at East 170^th Street and Shakespeare Avenue, in the Bronx, where he has just acquired a third plot. Gardening brings back memories of his home in Franklin, North Carolina. Mr. Brodie grew up on a farm and was one of 18 children. Collard greens, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, yellow squash, zucchinis, and a bunch of sunflowers are among the treasures in his garden.

(Friday, April 21, 1989)

In recent years more and more New Yorkers have taken a "shine" to Prospect Park, the green jewel of Brooklyn. Annual visitorship has doubled to 4.4 million, park monuments and landscape have been restored, and cultural programs have spread music, dance and art throughout the park.

The renaissance of "Brooklyns backyard" has been helped by the Prospect Park Alliance- which has raised nearly $1 million for park restorations since its creation in 1987- and by thousands of concerned local citizens, who annually come out to clean, green and support Prospect Park during "You gotta have Park!" weekend.

"Sir, I would rather be right than be President."

(April 12, 1777-1852)