One of the great New York City pleasures is enjoying tacos, huaraches and other fine Latin American cuisine at Red Hook Park, said Commissioner Benepe. The Parks Department is happy to keep this longstanding tradition in place by awarding a permit to the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park.

These vendors have made the Red Hook ball fields a destination for soccer fans and foodies alike, and I applaud the Parks Department for recognizing the value they bring both to Brooklyn and the New York culinary scene, said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Over the past fifteen years, the vendors have been at the vanguard of the Red Hook Renaissance, and now they have another six years to continue their delectable work. I look forward to visiting the ball fields again soon and supporting this Brooklyn treasure.

I am pleased to have been instrumental in keeping the Red Hook vendors in place throughout the remainder of last season and I am extremely grateful to former Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff; Commissioners Benepe, Spiegel and Kavanagh of the Parks Department; and Commissioners Frieden and Marcus of the DOHMH for their willingness to work with us to help make that possible, said Council Member Sara Gonzalez. Senator Schumers efforts since then have been monumental and in that spirit, recent developments give us encouragement that in continuing to work together we can achieve an outcome that will keep the vendors in place for generations to come. I salute the vendors for facing an uncertain future with dignity and strength and for taking the steps necessary to comply with current requirements. I believe I speak for all the areas elected official in saying that together I believe we can work to overcome the remaining obstacles.

On behalf of the Red Hook food vendors, we are thrilled to be able to continue our 33-year-old tradition, said Cesar Fuentes, Executive Director of the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc. We have the best intentions to create an even better food market with the assistance of New York City Parks and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It is a beautiful thing to be able to combine culture, cuisine and recreation together to enhance the parks experience which is so vital to an urban center. To be able to get in the city what you would get in a rural area, fresh wholesome food, is really fantastic. Thanks to New York City Parks for being proactive in supporting this type of small affair of artisan vendors.

The Parks Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for food vending at Red Hook Park earlier this year. When making a determination, Parks looked at factors including planned operations, variety of cuisine, prior operating experience, fee offer and financial capacity. Any required permits or licenses from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene must be obtained separately.

In recent years, vendors have drawn New Yorkers to Red Hook Park, through selling Mexican, Central American, South American and Caribbean specialties. Originally, temporary permits were issued but as the vendors gradually became a permanent fixture, it became clear that a permanent permit was required to best comply with city concession regulations.

The Parks Department also acknowledges the efforts of Senator Schumer, Congress Member Nydia Velasquez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel and Assistant Commissioner Betsy Smith for all of their work on behalf of the vendors and the park.

To view a video on the Red Hook food vendors, please visit http://nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/video/?search=red+hook

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory.

William Hazlitt
(1778 1830)

One of the great New York City pleasures is enjoying tacos, huaraches and other fine Latin American cuisine at Red Hook Park, said Commissioner Benepe. The Parks Department is happy to keep this longstanding tradition in place by awarding a permit to the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park.

These vendors have made the Red Hook ball fields a destination for soccer fans and foodies alike, and I applaud the Parks Department for recognizing the value they bring both to Brooklyn and the New York culinary scene, said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Over the past fifteen years, the vendors have been at the vanguard of the Red Hook Renaissance, and now they have another six years to continue their delectable work. I look forward to visiting the ball fields again soon and supporting this Brooklyn treasure.

I am pleased to have been instrumental in keeping the Red Hook vendors in place throughout the remainder of last season and I am extremely grateful to former Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff; Commissioners Benepe, Spiegel and Kavanagh of the Parks Department; and Commissioners Frieden and Marcus of the DOHMH for their willingness to work with us to help make that possible, said Council Member Sara Gonzalez. Senator Schumers efforts since then have been monumental and in that spirit, recent developments give us encouragement that in continuing to work together we can achieve an outcome that will keep the vendors in place for generations to come. I salute the vendors for facing an uncertain future with dignity and strength and for taking the steps necessary to comply with current requirements. I believe I speak for all the areas elected official in saying that together I believe we can work to overcome the remaining obstacles.

On behalf of the Red Hook food vendors, we are thrilled to be able to continue our 33-year-old tradition, said Cesar Fuentes, Executive Director of the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc. We have the best intentions to create an even better food market with the assistance of New York City Parks and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It is a beautiful thing to be able to combine culture, cuisine and recreation together to enhance the parks experience which is so vital to an urban center. To be able to get in the city what you would get in a rural area, fresh wholesome food, is really fantastic. Thanks to New York City Parks for being proactive in supporting this type of small affair of artisan vendors.

The Parks Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for food vending at Red Hook Park earlier this year. When making a determination, Parks looked at factors including planned operations, variety of cuisine, prior operating experience, fee offer and financial capacity. Any required permits or licenses from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene must be obtained separately.

In recent years, vendors have drawn New Yorkers to Red Hook Park, through selling Mexican, Central American, South American and Caribbean specialties. Originally, temporary permits were issued but as the vendors gradually became a permanent fixture, it became clear that a permanent permit was required to best comply with city concession regulations.

The Parks Department also acknowledges the efforts of Senator Schumer, Congress Member Nydia Velasquez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel and Assistant Commissioner Betsy Smith for all of their work on behalf of the vendors and the park.

To view a video on the Red Hook food vendors, please visit http://nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/video/?search=red+hook

Mark Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. on your calendars. That is because those are the airtimes for "Its My Park," the television show highlighting the best of the Department of Parks & Recreation. The show airs on NYC TV (Channel 25 on Time Warner, Channel 22 on Cablevision). The show will air Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. with an encore presentation Saturday afternoons at 5:00 p.m.

With nearly 29,000 acres of Parks, New York Citys "emerald empire" extends beyond your neighborhood playground offering a surprising richness of things to do and sights to behold. From swimming pools to wetlands and everything in between, "Its My Park" showcases the treasure trove of experiences waiting for you. Bridle path or bike path, "Its My Park" will lead you to a seasons worth of fun.

Using a documentary format, "Its My Park" showcases activities going on in parks throughout the five boroughs which are generally free to the public but not widely known about. This season features segments ranging from extreme sports like urban mountain biking to serene hobbies like community gardening. This season will also uncover hidden histories, take viewers to unheard of facilities and get the word out about free programs.

Highlights of this season include DJ Kool Herc going back to the park where he first spun and scratched and became a founding father of hip hop, a trip inside the Little Red Lighthouse, an annual fishing contest held at Prospect Park, and a walk across the High Bridge. The show will also explore unique locations such as McCarren Pool in Brooklyn and the future Freshkills Park in Staten Island.

Be sure not to miss "Its My Park," Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. on NYC TV.

Episodes include...

Can I Do That?
From building boats to bird watching, go beyond New York's concrete jungle.

Whats That?
Find out what a velodrome is and who uses it. Meet the cowboys at the Cedar Lane Stables, as well as the crew that cares for hundreds of the monuments throughout the city. See whos gone fishin from the Sheepshead Bay Marina in Brooklyn.

Whos Counting?
There are Bocce courts in 39 parks, original Keith Haring murals in two parks, a vegan food vendor and a gelato cart in one park, and the oldest structure in New York State in yet another.

Renaissance All Over Again
From Shakespeare to Handball, Parks are classic and modern.

Forts, Festivals and Farming
Featuring Fort Tryon Park, Orchard Beach, Grove Hill Learning Garden and Morningside Park.

Good Eats and Good Stories
Featuring Red Hook Park Food Vendors, Historic Fort Totten, a space age playground, ice skating and more.

"Recommend to your children virtue; that alone can make them happy, not gold."

(1770 1827)

"The best way to cool off this summer is in one of New York Citys 51 outdoor public pools," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Its a great way to stay active in the summer heat and best of all; its a free activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Summer is time for fun and relaxation and City Parks are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the season."

"As most New Yorkers know, a cool pool is the best place to beat the heat," said Commissioner Benepe. "Swimming is a great form of recreation, but for many it is also a survival skill, a competitive sport, and a lifetime passport to health and fitness. We hope New Yorkers will take advantage of our free Learn to Swim and adult lap-swim programs, which focus on basic swim instruction and ways to stay fit. As always, please remember to swim smart and swim safe. We urge you to follow pool rules, listen to lifeguards, know your swimming limits, and most of all, have fun!"

This summer, Parks & Recreations "Learn to Swim" program, held at select City outdoor pools, offers toddlers and children the opportunity to learn how to swim. Free swim instruction will be provided during two three-week "Learn to Swim" sessions and one five-week session. The program, made possible by Parks partnerships with the City Parks Foundation and the American Red Cross, will operate from July 5 through August 11. For children seeking the thrills of competition, the City will host the Sixth Annual Five Borough Championship swimming competition in August. For adults, Parks offers a free morning and evening lap-swim program at all of the Citys outdoor pools, allowing for uninterrupted swimming that focuses on health and fitness.

Following the speaking program of the event, Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Benepe and the children jumped into the pool to kick-off the beginning of this summers pool season. Western Beef provided a free barbecue lunch and Snapple provided complimentary beverages. The pool opening festivities were capped off by entertainment courtesy of radio station Power 105.1. Several New York City lifeguards were on hand, and Parks & Recreation staff reminded children of important water safety tips.

Sol Goldman Pool opened to the public under the name of Red Hook Pool in 1936, as one of the 11 WPA-funded pools that opened that year under Mayor Fiorello H. Laguardia and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The pool was designed by Aymar Embury in the 1930s and was restored and renamed to honor the financial contributions of the Goldman Family in 1986. Currently, Red Hook Pool is a participant in the Department of Educations SchoolFood program, which serves free, nutritional breakfasts and lunches to approximately 300 children each day during the summer.

Eleven pools were constructed during the summer of 1936 by the LaGuardia and Moses administrations. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission last week unanimously granted landmark status to one of them, the Astoria Park Pool, because of its monumental scale, spectacular setting and unique design. With a capacity of 6,200 people and measuring 54,450 square feet, the Astoria pool is the Citys largest public pool and hosted the swimming, water polo and diving trials for the United States Olympic Team prior to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately"

(1706-1790)

"The best way to cool off this summer is in one of New York Citys 51 outdoor public pools," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Its a great way to stay active in the summer heat and best of all; its a free activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Summer is time for fun and relaxation and City Parks are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the season."

"As most New Yorkers know, a cool pool is the best place to beat the heat," said Commissioner Benepe. "Swimming is a great form of recreation, but for many it is also a survival skill, a competitive sport, and a lifetime passport to health and fitness. We hope New Yorkers will take advantage of our free Learn to Swim and adult lap-swim programs, which focus on basic swim instruction and ways to stay fit. As always, please remember to swim smart and swim safe. We urge you to follow pool rules, listen to lifeguards, know your swimming limits, and most of all, have fun!"

This summer, Parks & Recreations "Learn to Swim" program, held at select City outdoor pools, offers toddlers and children the opportunity to learn how to swim. Free swim instruction will be provided during two three-week "Learn to Swim" sessions and one five-week session. The program, made possible by Parks partnerships with the City Parks Foundation and the American Red Cross, will operate from July 5 through August 11. For children seeking the thrills of competition, the City will host the Sixth Annual Five Borough Championship swimming competition in August. For adults, Parks offers a free morning and evening lap-swim program at all of the Citys outdoor pools, allowing for uninterrupted swimming that focuses on health and fitness.

Following the speaking program of the event, Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Benepe and the children jumped into the pool to kick-off the beginning of this summers pool season. Western Beef provided a free barbecue lunch and Snapple provided complimentary beverages. The pool opening festivities were capped off by entertainment courtesy of radio station Power 105.1. Several New York City lifeguards were on hand, and Parks & Recreation staff reminded children of important water safety tips.

Sol Goldman Pool opened to the public under the name of Red Hook Pool in 1936, as one of the 11 WPA-funded pools that opened that year under Mayor Fiorello H. Laguardia and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The pool was designed by Aymar Embury in the 1930s and was restored and renamed to honor the financial contributions of the Goldman Family in 1986. Currently, Red Hook Pool is a participant in the Department of Educations SchoolFood program, which serves free, nutritional breakfasts and lunches to approximately 300 children each day during the summer.

Eleven pools were constructed during the summer of 1936 by the LaGuardia and Moses administrations. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission last week unanimously granted landmark status to one of them, the Astoria Park Pool, because of its monumental scale, spectacular setting and unique design. With a capacity of 6,200 people and measuring 54,450 square feet, the Astoria pool is the Citys largest public pool and hosted the swimming, water polo and diving trials for the United States Olympic Team prior to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

For more information on locations, activities, and free swimming lessons, visit http://www.nyc.gov/. New York City is also home to 11 indoor pools and 14 miles of public beaches, which are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Labor Day.

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