PS1 Lisa McBayne and SAPSW Clarence Williams IV were at nearby Nautilus Playground when they heard the whistle go off. They immediately jumped in a Beach Gator and responded to the scene. They met with lifeguards and helped them transport the victim to the boardwalk.

While awaiting assistance from NYPD and EMS, a team of lifeguards alternated performing rescue breathing and CPR on the victim. EMS eventually
transported the victim to Coney Island Hospital, where, despite the efforts of our crew, he was pronounced dead.

At last weeks Employee of the Month breakfast, we honored each of these individuals for heroism under extraordinary circumstances and for going Beyond the Call of duty. They are: Lifeguard Staff Nora Maloney, Andrey Poludnev, Lantiqua Sime, Mario Zoga, Daniel Tomkin, Jack Kolotov, Richard Griffith, Pawel Blodowski, Ricardo Sewell, Andriy Kapys, Ronald Vernon, and Robert Garcia, and M&O staff PS1 Lisa McBayne, and SAPSW Clarence Williams IV.

Joseph Mauro is the Public Programs Employee of the Month for June.
Joseph is a Recreation Supervisor and has been with Parks since May 14, 1999. Joseph started his career at Parks as a seasonal Playground Associate and worked his way up to his current position in February of 2006. As Queens sports coordinator, Joseph is responsible for all city and boroughwide sport and fitness programs in Queens. He recently took on the additional responsibility of monitoring the Recreation portion of the Storehouse. Joseph recently coordinated the Shape Up New York fitness program funded by State Senator Serphin Maltese. He acted as a liaison with the Senators office, and was responsible for attaining and overseeing a budget of $30,000. The program will take place at Juniper Valley Park and Lost Battalion Hall. In addition to his every day responsibilities, Joseph is a certified CPR/RTE instructor, and is working to certify all Queens Recreation staff in both areas. Joseph was nominated by Kelly Gillen, Deputy Chief of Recreation and Renee LaJeunesse, Chief of Citywide Recreation.

Written by Kamil Krawczyk

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

So little time and so little to do.

Oscar Levant
(1906 1972)

Collaboration among agencies is key to New York Citys disability access effort in parks and communities throughout the five boroughs. This announcement underscores Parks commitment to making City parks accessible to everyone and complements the Human Rights Commissions recent work in Brighton Beach and other communities on accessibility in residential buildings and stores.

Weve brought New Yorkers Wheelchair Football and Quad Rugby, a website designed for those with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairmentsand now we bring you the waves and the sand, said Commissioner Benepe. Today, we celebrate yet another example of Parks commitment to helping ALL New Yorkers discover how the Citys 29,000 acres of parkland can enrich their lives with programs, facilities, and now beach access.

Thanks to $130,000 in Mayoral funding, the Parks Department was able to install almost 2,000 feet of accessible Mobi-Mats at four beaches around the City: in the Rockaways at Beach 116th Street, Queens; Brighton Beach, Brooklyn; Orchard Beach, Bronx; and Midland Beach at Jefferson Avenue, Staten Island. All locations have accessible public transportation and accessible comfort stations.

The mats were laid on the sand and secured with 14-inch staples, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Find more information at: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/accessibility/beach_trail.html.

These successful modifications create true mobility and independence, said Commissioner Gatling. People with disabilities have a right to participate fully in all areas of life and are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations under the City Human Rights Law. We are thrilled today to join with Parks in making these City beaches available to all.

In 2006, the Human Rights Commissions Equal Access Program targeted Brighton Beach because of its large number of elderly and disabled individuals and high percentage of old residential multiple-dwelling buildings. The staff received numerous inquires about making the ocean reachable to individuals with disabilities, and within a few months, Parks had installed mats for a trial run. The Commission will continue to work in Brighton Beach until all the targeted buildings are accessible.

I congratulate the Parks Department on another victory for New Yorkers with disabilities, said Commissioner Sapolin. We are happy to celebrate yet another example of how the City of New York is becoming more accessible for all New Yorkers.

The Parks Departments goal is to provide access and opportunity, going above and beyond mere compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide access as well as increased opportunities for recreation and participation. Visit us at www.nyc.gov/parks for more information on accessibility, including playgrounds and centers with programming and field trips, free Aquatic Therapy Instruction, Wheelchair Basketball and Football, Quad Rugby, and more.

Parks has been aggressive in our goal of accessibility a few examples of Parks programs include:

• Playgrounds for All Children have accessible play equipment, and at many playgrounds, Parks has programming that reaches out to children with special needs from across the city. School field trips, a yearly carnival, and other special events include face painting, entertainment, and arts & crafts;
• Greenbelt Recreation Center in Staten Island and the soon-to-open Fowler Recreation Center in Queens have accessible equipment and features;
• The Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool and Ice Hockey Rink, opening in the fall, will have an Olympic-size public pool with adjustable floors to accommodate small children and people with disabilities. The NHL-standard ice hockey rink will be equipped for sled hockey.
• Owen-Dolen Center in the Bronx provides field trips for disabled children on Saturdays, as well as a summer day camp;
  Graniteville Outreach and Therapeutic Recreation Center in Staten Island provides programs and workshops for all special needs groups;
• Free Aquatic Therapy at five locations citywide;
• Wheelchair Basketball, Football, Softball, and Quad Rugby;
• Accessible camping every weekend in July and August with the Urban Park Rangers with accessible tents; and
• Accessible New York City beaches.
• This summers season of Its My Park on NYC TV documents a wide variety of free Parks activities for people with disabilities in every borough, including Wheelchair Tennis instruction in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. To watch Its My Park! videos on wheelchair accessible facilities in New York City parks, search at www.nyc.gov/parks.

New York, NY (February 21, 2007) - Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and CEO of NYC & Company George Fertitta today joined Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to kick off the Citys revamped 2007 lifeguard recruitment campaign: "Whistle Worthy." Each year, Parks recruits and trains more than 1,000 summer lifeguards for New York Citys 53 outdoor pools and 14 miles of beaches, including the world-famous Coney Island. This year, NYC & Company will work directly with the Parks & Recreation Department to grow the programs scope and raise participation numbers.

"The best way to beat a hot summer in New York City is with a cool lifeguard job," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Water safety depends on great lifeguards, and while its cold out now, summer will be here before we know it. Municipal lifeguard jobs now pay at least $11.72 an hour to start for a 48-hour week, and I strongly encourage anyone interested in working as a lifeguard this summer to take the first step and take a free swim qualifying test. New York Citys lifeguards are whistle worthy, and you may be, too!"

NYC & Company recently merged with NYC Marketing and NYC Big Events to form the world's leading municipal tourism, marketing, and events organization charged with meeting Mayor Michael R. Bloombergs goal of attracting 50 million visitors annually by the year 2015. With that goal in mind, NYC & Company has designed an advertising campaign that reaches out to international lifeguard candidates as well as those in the New York City area.

"Parks has done a wonderful job with recruitment over the years. It is because of their hard work that NYC & Company can now help turn Whistle Worthy into a campaign that resonates outside New York City as well," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. "Were going to involve more countries, which will bring in more recruitsand also more visitors. The message will be clear: You can come here in the summer, go swimming at our beaches, and experience the City in a whole new way."

The marketing campaign will feature "Whistle Worthy" media, including the signs already in place today on New York City buses and bus shelters. NYC & Company will leverage the Citys international presence to communicate that lifeguarding in NYC is a wonderful way to spend your summer vacation. The Citys tourism and marketing organization also sees it as an opportunity to publicize the fact that New York City has 14 miles of beaches.

To further help recruitment in the City, Parks has placed eight, 14-foot-tall, full-size lifeguard chairs in selected parks across the five boroughs, including: Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx; Columbus Park and Coney Island (at the Stillwell Avenue subway station) in Brooklyn; Union Square Park and Mitchel Square (168th street between Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue) in Manhattan; Hoffman Park and Corporal Ruoff Square (near the Rockaway Boulevard subway station) in Queens. A lifeguard chair will also be unveiled in the upcoming weeks at St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island.

Lifeguard beach chairs were manned by "whistle worthy" helpers from Parks and Metro who promoted lifeguard recruitment throughout the day. This is the second year in a row Parks has partnered with Metro, a free daily newspaper in New York City, which has provided generous advertising support.

"In Brooklyn, where not everyone goes to the Hamptons and residents like me are proud to summer in Brooklyn, keeping our beaches open as a way to cool off is essential," said Borough President Marty Markowitz. "And with the 10 million annual visitors to Coney Island and Brighton Beach helping make Brooklyn one of the worlds hottest tourist destinations, we rely on lifeguards even more to keep our beaches safe, fun, and relaxing."

The process to become a New York City lifeguard is simple. First, candidates are encouraged to take a free qualifying test. Parks has been hosting qualifying tests since November, and will continue to do so through Mid-April. As part of the qualifying test, successful candidates will:

1. Be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds or less with proper form.
2. Have at least 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other - without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses are not permitted during the eye exam.
3. Be at least 16 years of age by the start of employment.

Qualifying tests are held twice a day, Monday through Friday, at 4:30pm and 6:30pm at the Parks Lifeguard School at 533 West 59th Street. No appointment is necessary.

Candidates who pass the test may enroll in Parks free Municipal Lifeguard Training Program, which is the only certification accepted for employment as a New York City Lifeguard. The training program consists of 40 hours of instruction in swimming and rescue techniques, first aid, and CPR, and includes a final swim test and a written exam. Candidates who begin working as a lifeguard, will be paid for their time spent in training. First-year lifeguards will earn at least $11.72 an hour and work 48 hours (6 days) a week. If you become a lifeguard, you will be guaranteed a job for the summer at one of the Citys seven beaches or 53 outdoor pools.

Last summer, more than 22.2 million visitors flocked to New York Citys beaches and pools. This summer, beaches are scheduled to open on May 26, and pools are scheduled to open June 29; both will remain open through Labor Day. For more information on the Citys beaches and pools or how to become a lifeguard, call 311 or visit our web site at www.nyc.gov/parks.

To learn more about NYC & Company, click here.

The Citys beaches opened on Saturday, May 27, with lifeguards on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times. Beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend.

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfes Pond Beach in Staten Island. All City beaches are free to the public.

"New York Citys beaches are in great shape, and we look forward to a fun and safe summer," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "We remind beach-goers to observe all beach rules and regulations, carefully monitor children at all times, and especially to never go in the water when there is not a lifeguard on duty."

Over the past four years, Parks & Recreation has spent $40 million on improvements to New York Citys beaches, and there is an additional $28 million worth of ongoing improvements. In the Bronx, a new lifeguard station is being completed to accompany the recently renovated main pavilion at Orchard Beach. South Beach on Staten Island is home to a new gazebo, shade pavilion and restored bathhouse, while Midland Beach boasts a new pier extending from the boardwalk into the Lower Bay of the New York Harbor. At Rockaway Beach in Queens, the City opened a new ocean-side skate park and playground in 2005, along with the City's first surfing beach. In Brooklyn, Parks is installing 95 historic boardwalk lights and will be welcoming professional volleyball to Coney Island for the first time this summer. Parks is also in process of lighting the famous Parachute Jump thanks to $1 million allocated by Borough President Markowitz.

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"The Citys ice rinks provide a safe, seasonal place to enjoy the ice, and we are delighted to have had such a successful skating season," said Commissioner Benepe. "Although hanging up those skates for the season is bitter-sweet, it gives New Yorkers all the more reason to look forward to those cold winter months that come around without fail each year."

With this seasons grand opening of The Pond in Bryant Park, New York City parks are now home to a total of seven ice skating rinks. Others include Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park, Abe Stark Rink at Coney Island, Worlds Fair Ice Skating Rink in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park, and Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink in Central Park. All ice rinks will officially close on April 2, with the exception of Prospect Parks Wollman Rink, which will close on March 12, and Bryant Parks the Pond, which has been closed since January 16.

Parks & Recreation commends skaters citywide for practicing safety on the ice all season long. Each year, Parks encourages New Yorkers to stay away from the ice on the lakes and ponds unless the agency announces that it is safe to do so in designated areas, as water that may appear frozen is not often safe enough to skate on.

-30-

Borough preliminaries were held Saturday at Orchard Beach, Coney Island, Far Rockaway, South Beach, Riverside Park and Central Park. Prospective players came out at 9 a.m. to kick off two days of non-stop beach volleyball action. The rain held off for much of the day, and all boroughs were able to complete the preliminary rounds. Winning teams moved on to Sundays citywide finals at Coney Island.

Fears of Tropical Storm Charlie getting in the way of play proved overblown, and on Sunday at around 12 p.m., after a morning of intermittent rain, the citywide finals at Coney Island got underway. The best of the boroughs took to the soggy sand to compete in five divisions, including open, intermediate, novice, coed fours, and junior coed foursit was five hours of non-stop volleyball action just steps from the bustling Coney Island boardwalk. Players played and onlookers mingled and at the end of the day there was prize money to be awarded.

"This years citywide beach volleyball championship was a huge success with a brand new junior division and widely successful Learn to Play clinic," said Dave Kovall of Parks & Recreations Marketing and Special Events division, which helped coordinate the two-day tournament. "Thanks to the support of our sponsors and the hard work of Parks & Recreation employees, we were once again able to hold this great annual event."

Topping off some impressive volleyball were plenty of giveaways provided by the events sponsors. Snapple was on hand with free water and iced tea, while Smuckers satisfied hungry onlookers with "Crustable" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Along with the cash prizes, tournament winners received free sneakers provided by Nike. Additional event sponsors included the New York Post, Viacom and WKTU.

This years tournament featured a Learn to Play clinic where around 30 participants learned basic volleyball skills. The clinic was designed to give New Yorkers of all ages the basics of the game of volleyball. Lead by a professional volleyball instructor, participants young and old learned how to spike and block on the court. And best of all, an appearance was made by Cyclones mascot Sandy the Seagull.

Written by Ashe Reardon

QUOTATION FOR THEDAY

"Every man is a volume if you know how to read him."

William Ellery Channing
(1810-1884)

Bronx
Saturday, August 14 is National Marina Day. Hammonds Cove Marina, at Harding and Pennyfield Avenues, will celebrate the event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with games, rides, music, and delectable food. The Coast Guard will teach water safety, and chiropractors and masseuses will relieve your accumulated stresses of the week next to the beautiful waterfront.

Brooklyn
On August 14, 21, and 28, Brooklyns Wingate Park, at the intersection of Brooklyn Avenue and Rutland Road, will host Youth Day. From 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be a poetry slam, Double Dutch contest, organized basketball games, a talent show, and food. The Departments of Education and Youth Services will also be there to provide information relating to youth issues.

Manhattan
An exciting and historical event taking place for the first time in Manhattan, KompaStage2004, a Haitian-American free music festival, will be held in Battery Park on August 15, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. "KompaStage Music Fest" celebrates Haitis 200th anniversary as a sovereign nation. Battery Park is located at Battery Place and State and Whitehall Streets.

Queens
Celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens at Outdoor Cinema 2004 in Socrates Sculpture Park, at Vernon Boulevard, Broadway, and 31^st Road. This annual festival of international film, music, dance, and food presented by Socrates Sculpture Park in collaboration with the American Museum of the Moving Image, holds free screenings every Wednesday until September 1 at 7 p.m. Created six years ago by Socrates Sculpture Park in cooperation with Partnerships for Parks, each evening in the six-part series focuses on a different country or culture. Local performing arts groups showcase the talents of their members, and area restaurants present regional foods.

Staten Island
On August 21 and 22, from noon to 9 p.m., Midland Beach, stretching from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, will host the Back to the Beach Celebration. This annual event celebrates the renovation of Midland Beach by offering two days of food, fun, and entertainment to the public. While artists craft creations in the sand, landlubbers can cruise the Midland Beach Promenade for deals on jewelry, T-shirts, and pocketbooks. Kids can bounce in blow-up castles, fly high on carnival rides, and satisfy their hunger with sausage and peppers, calzones, and funnel cake.

Citywide
Parks & Recreation is proud to present the 8^th annual Citywide Beach Volleyball Tournament. Borough preliminaries begin this Saturday in parks and beaches throughout the five boroughs. Saturdays top teams will compete for the citywide title and $3,000 in cash prizes on Sunday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Coney Island Beach. Sponsored by Snapple, this rain-or-shine event is free and open to everyonelike all the Best Stuff in NYC.

Compiled by Citywide Special Events

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

After the home team victory, we proceeded out of the ballpark, down the boardwalk, through the crowd gawking at the Friday night fireworks, and over to West 10th Street, to take a ride on the Cyclone. Two in my party were New York transplants, one from Pennsylvania and one from Arizona, and the other was a Manhattan native. I, of course, am a dyed-in-the-wool, third generation Brooklyn native. Naturally, they all assumed that I knew the joys and pains of the Cyclone.

All at once I came to grips with the reality that the word "know" has quite a broad meaning. Indeed, I knew the history of this most famous of amusement park rides. I had read the historical sign years before, which detailed the 85-foot drop and the 60-mile-per-hour top speed. I even knew, that unlike all the other landmark structures in New York, which cannot be altered in any way without the approval of the Landmark Commission, the Cyclone remains the special exception. Every day a worker walks the entire 3,000-foot-long track, tightening bolts along the way and hammering in boards that seem a little loose. On the one hand its comforting to know the work is done, but on the other, its frightening to know its necessary.

Ultimately, my book knowledge did little to put me at ease, and it did nothing to change the fact that, to my great embarrassment, this would be my first time riding the Cyclone. My balloon of Brooklyn boasting quickly deflated, as my three friends each demonstrated that they had been around the track a time or two before. Sensing my inexperience, they asked in wonder how a 25-year-old Brooklyn native could keep innocent so long. However sad, the fact of the matter was, although I had come close before, I had never taken the plunge.

So there I waited, on line under the great towering mass of steel, and I listened to the two trains barreling over the wooden tracks. Just then I noticed that, unlike modern rollercoasters, whose steel tubing and massive concrete stanchions keep giant, twisting, looping tracks from budging even the slightest fraction of an inch, the Cyclones simple girders seemed to sway quite a bit. In spite of my apprehension, I rationalized: well, people have been riding this thing for 77 years, and they all survived. But then, with splendidly bad timing, the other man in my party pointed out a painted sign with facts about the ride. What it said was not new to us, but what it omitted had harrowing implications. With a raised brow and a cynical sneer, my friend pronounced: "The sign at the Wonder Wheel says no one ever died." . so now they tell me.

I thought of turning back, like the cowardly lion on his way down the hallway to see the wizard, but clearly the sign had been intentionallyhung at a spot so advanced in the corralled line that only the most terrified reader could manage escape. I had passed the point of no return. We twisted through the line, and the track came into view. Evidently, my fear showed, and so my experienced friends offered this tip: "Youre going to be scared. Screaming really helps, especially on the first drop." They also insisted that I ride in the front so my first time would be special.

Locked firmly into position, we ratcheted up the track. I counted the stars in the night sky, while the lights of the amusement park grew distant. Along with the U.S. and Cyclone flags, the Parks & Recreation flag flies at the top of the tower, a reminder that this American classic stands on parkland. All too soon, we passed the flags and took the first drop. Awed beyond reason, I gasped involuntarily: unable to make a sound. Only after hitting the first turn did my higher brain functions return. I said to myself, "Now its time to scream."

Written by John Mattera

QUOTATIONFOR THE DAY

"In America, anybody can be president. Thats one of the risks you take."

Adlai Stevenson
(1900-1965)

The Arsenal Gallerys newest exhibit, Going Coastal: The Beaches of New York City, offers viewers a look at the history and development of the Citys beaches. The exhibition features 92 archival and contemporary photographs, vintage postcards, historic renderings, as well as artifacts and memorabilia representing the vital role that beaches play in the life of the city.

Until the 19^th century, the Long Island Sound and Atlantic shorelines were pristine, rugged, and hard to get to. But in the 1820s, the first developments sprang up, beginning a long tug-of-war between private and public control of what was to become an increasingly valued resource. After the Civil War, the pace of development accelerated with the opening of fashionable resorts like the Manhattan Beach and Oriental Hotels at Coney Island. Sections of the wild dunes of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens and Staten Islands South Shore were also converted for recreation. By centurys end, with the help of improved rail and ferry transportation, a thriving amusement-park culture was serving the citys skyrocketing population.

By the late 1920s, the City had established Jacob Riis Park, the Coney Island boardwalk, and a few small waterfront parks in Brooklyn and Queens that catered mainly to day-trippers. But most of the shoreline was claimed and managed by entrepreneurs, whose taste often ran to the tawdry. At Wolfes Pond Park on Staten Island, and in portions of the Rockaways and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, large and sometimes illegal bungalow communities took root.

When he became Parks Commissioner in 1934, Robert Moses set out to expand and make the beaches more wholesome. He emphasized the need for an orderly, healthful, and safe experience, which required razing the offending bungalows and kicking out poorly-run concessions, plagued by corruption. Before the Parks Department gained full jurisdiction of the beaches in 1938, he commented, "No inland lake, stream or pool can compete with the Ocean and its tributaries which surround the City." Vast improvements followed. In the Bronx, the water between Rodmans Neck and Hunter Island was filled to create Orchard Beachs wide crescent. New boardwalks went up at South and Midland Beaches, Coney Island, Rockaway, and Jacob Riis Parks. Public works like the Belt Parkway and the Marine Parkway Bridge improved beach access.

Moses was a victim of his success. Postwar beach attendance soared, and in response the City aggressively acquired coastland, including Manhattan Beach. By the time Moses left office in 1960, public beaches had increased from 1 to 17.96 miles. His successors have faced operational hurdles of almost biblical proportions as they have combated storms, fires, medical waste, and ordinary litter. In 1974, during the fiscal crisis, Riis Park in Queens and Great Kills on Staten Island were transferred along with Jamaica Bay from City to Federal jurisdiction as the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Now the increasingly post-industrial city has turned its attention again to its waterfront, an emphasis that has led to many public and private beach projects. At Orchard Beach, $3.3 million was invested in 1998 to rebuild the monumental bathing pavilions and terraces. At Midland Beach on Staten Island, an enormous capital investment has paid for boardwalk repair, a grand entrance plaza (2002), and a new fishing pier (2003). At Rockaway Beach, the City broke ground in 2004 for a new oceanside skate park, while Coney Island gained new comfort stations, information kiosks, music pavilions, and KeySpan Park (2001), home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. These amenities will help the 12 million visitors to the citys beaches cool off and enjoy themselves, ensuring that New Yorkers continue to go coastal well into the 21^st century.

Most of the images on display are from the New York City Parks & Recreation Photo Archive and Map File Collections. Images are also on loan from the Municipal Archives, and vintage postcards were generously loaned from the Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences. The exhibition is curated by Parks & Recreations Director of Art & Antiquities Jonathan Kuhn, with assistance from Public Art Coordinator Patricia Hamilton. Additional images or "outtakes" can be found in a virtual gallery presented on Parks & Recreations website at www.nyc.gov/parks.

"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; I lift my eyes and all is born again."

"I want to make an official announcement," began Mayor Bloomberg. "After careful consultation with my advisers, Im hereby calling for 14 straight weekends of perfect summer weather in New York this year." The audience, remembering last summers wet weekends, cheered the Mayors sunny proposal. The Mayor also announced another year of successful lifeguard recruitment, both at home and abroad. The City has 145 new recruits as well as over 50 international lifeguards this year, and combined with returns from past years, the lifeguard total this year is expected to be as good as last yearand possibly higher.

During the festivities, Commissioner Benepe also introduced the Park Greeters initiative, a pioneer program being piloted at the most popular beaches and parks around the five boroughs. This year, 70 park greeters will offer directions, maps and informational literature to park and beach visitors in an effort to make the City even easier to navigate and enjoy. Benepe also reminded New Yorkers to use common sense at the beaches. "Everyone can keep the Citys beaches clean by picking up after themselves and watching after their children and their neighbors children," he said. "New York City has the best lifeguards in the world, but its still important to look after your young ones."

"Coney Island is looking goodits smelling goodits as Brooklyn as it gets," raved Borough President Markowitz. "The best days of Coney Island arent past. Theyre today, and every day to come." Borough President Markowitz and Assembly Member Cohen have allocated $1 million and $200,000 respectively to replace the 121 boardwalk lights with historic twin cast iron light poles. The new light poles will allow for colorful hanging banners and mounted baskets for plants, and will complement the 600 Worlds Fair benches installed last year.

"As we formally open the beach and boardwalk for the 2004 season, it is a great pleasure to also announce $1 million in funding for the Brighton Beach-Coney Island Bike Pathway and Beach Access Project," said Assembly Member Cohen. "The first phase will connect the Greenways at Ocean Parkway and Coney Island Avenue and provide permanent beach access paths to make it easier for seniors, the disabled, and families with baby strollers to get closer to the water. These improvements will provide year-round pleasure for shorefront residents as well as thousands of summer visitors, and I am delighted to work with Mayor Bloomberg and the Parks Department in funding the work."

Among the improvements already in place are four new performance pavilions. Installed in April, with support from Council Member Recchia, the pavilions will offer musical performances and activities on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They include the Wonder Wheel Pavilion (donated by the Wonder Wheel Amusement Park), the Dreamland Pavilion (donated by Coney Island Chamber of Commerce), the Astroland Pavilion (donated by Astroland Amusement Park) and the Steeplechase Pavilion (donated by the Friends of the Boardwalk).

"When I first came into office, I promised I would make Coney Island a priority," said Council Member Recchia. "Thanks to the Bloomberg administration, weve started a Coney Island Development Corporation, and the beach is on its way to becoming a year-round destination."

The Citys beaches, which span 14 miles, will open this Saturday, and will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. City beaches include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfes Pond Beach in Staten Island. Swimming is prohibited when beaches are closed. The Citys 53 outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 26, 2004. Both City beaches and pools are free to the public and will be open through Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2004.

We need responsible, motivated, dedicated individuals to help safeguard the 11 million swimmers that take a dip in the Big Apple every summer, said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. Being part of the New York City Lifeguard Corps is a fun and rewarding summer job that really makes a difference. You will be working alongside a team of some of the best and most respected lifeguards in the world, and youll also learn valuable skills that will help you in any career.

As part of its efforts, Parks & Recreation has delivered letters and Lifeguards Wanted posters to every member of the City Council, State Senate, and State Assembly, and to the borough presidents. Posters decorate the hallways in New York City public schools, and a public service announcement campaign has been launched. Yesterday, Parks & Recreation made a presentation of its plans to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who hopes to raise recruitment numbers in his borough. Brooklyns Coney Island receives more beach visitors each year than in any other borough (Rockaway Beach in Queens ranks second), and Brooklyns 14 outdoor pools have the second highest attendance (after Manhattan, which has 16 outdoor pools).

Foreign recruitment has also begun. The program, started several years ago, brings foreign students in on a J-1 visa, which allows them to work for three months and travel for the fourth. Already, several new lifeguards have signed on to cross the Atlantic, mainly from Poland and Latvia, both of which have great reputations for top-notch lifeguards.

The requirements for the job arent easy, but the rewards are great especially as summer jobs for high school students. Lifeguards must be 16 years old when they begin working, must be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds, and must have minimum vision of 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other without corrective lenses. Recruits who successfully complete the course are guaranteed a job and will be paid for time spent in training. The starting salary is $10.08 per hour, and lifeguards are expected to work six days a week, including holidays and weekends (when beach and pool attendance is the highest). Exams are held Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the 59th Street Recreation Center, located at 533 West 59th Street in Manhattan. Candidates who pass the exam will be able to participate in a free lifeguard training course.

Parks & Recreation manages 53 outdoor pools in all five boroughs and 14 miles of beaches. Beaches are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and pools are open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. Last year, Parks & Recreation recruited and trained close to 1,000 lifeguards, and by July 4, 2003, the City was able to open all of its beach areas for swimming. Also, the number of returning lifeguards has increased each of the last two years, with a 75 percent return rate in 2002 and a 81 percent return rate last year.

This season, the beaches open for swimming on Saturday, May 29 and the pools open on Saturday, June 26. New York City beaches include Orchard Beach in the Bronx, Coney Island and Manhattan Beaches in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens, and South Beach, Midland Beach, and Wolfes Pond in Staten Island. For more information about the becoming a lifeguard, or to learn more about the Citys beaches and pools, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.

Written by Eric Adolfsen

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Friends at hearths are drawn to the one warm air; strangers meet on beaches drawn to the one wet sea.

Marie Ponsot
Springing, 1961