"Tens of thousands of lords and ladies descend upon Fort Tryon Park each year for an authentic Medieval Festival that brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages," said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "The area around the Cloisters Museum transforms into a medieval market village. The living chess game and jousting tournament with knights on horseback are among the most entertaining events in any City park. I am grateful to the Washington Heights & Inwood Development Corporation for all of their hard work in organizing the festival."

The 23rd annual Medieval Festival brought to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Visitors were entertained by medieval music, dance, magic, and performances. A wide variety of medieval crafts, food and drink were available for sale. The festival is held in the area surrounding the world famous Cloisters, a magnificent museum of medieval art located in northern Manhattan.

The Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park is presented by the Washington Heights & Inwood Development Corporation, a privately and publicly supported not-for-profit corporation. The event is produced in conjunction with the Department of Parks & Recreation.

Admission to the festival is free and typically draws over 50,000 people.

To view a web video on Fort Tryon Park and the Medieval Festival, please visit: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/video/index.html?search=&key=50&bandwith=low&page=9

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)

Bronx:

Van Cortlandt Park Take a leisurely walk around the lake or hike the John Muir Nature Trail in this woodsy paradise.
Wave Hill Watch the sun set over the Palisades or visit one of the most impressive arboretums in New York City.
Orchard Beach A romantic walk on the rocky shoreline of Hunter Island will transport you to the coast of Old New England.
Bronx Park Watch the spectacular waterfall on New York Citys only freshwater river, Bronx River.

Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge Park Watch the sun set over Manhattan as the East River glistens before you.
Lullwater Bridge, Prospect Park The waterfall and boathouse make the perfect setting for romance.
Fulton Park Stroll through the great trees in this treasured neighborhood park.
Sunset Park Eagle-eye views of Manhattan, Staten Island, New Jersey, and the Statue of Liberty over the East River and New York Bay will make you feel like youre on top of the world.

Manhattan:
Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park This picturesque garden offers spectacular views of the Palisades in all seasons.
The Battery Take in unparalleled views as seagulls fly, the waves lap, and the sun sets over Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Madison Square Park Enjoy world-class outdoor art in this historic park right in the heart of Manhattan.
Carl Schurz Park Cuddle up on the benches behind the grand, Federal-style Gracie Mansion.

Queens:
Fort Totten Park Peer across the Long Island Sound through stately Civil War-era structures.
Astoria Park Stroll the East River waterfront overlooking Roosevelt Island and the awesome Manhattan skyline.
Baisley Pond Park Sit and relax under the gazebo and gaze out at the fabled gigantic lily pads resting on the pond.
Kissena Park Weeping willows set the mood around the beautiful lake.

Staten Island:
Alice Austen House This Victorian garden will transport you to 19^th-century romance.
Willowbrook Park Ride the carousel with your sweetheart and feel like a kid again.
Clove Lakes Park Row a boat ride on the lake while enjoying the beautiful park.

St. Valentine is considered the patron saint of love and lovers. According to legend, he married lovers in secret when Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage, fearing it made men poor soldiers. While imprisoned for these actions, he sent the first "valentine," a note to his beloved that he signed "from your Valentine."

"If you keep at it, one day something which at first appeared impossible will become merely something very difficult indeed."

Danny Paradise
(born 1943)

"Fort Tryon Park is one of New York Citys great natural treasures, and I am thrilled to be here today celebrating its 70^th anniversary," said Commissioner Benepe. "Todays celebration is representative of the community support that has guided the renaissance of Fort Tryon in the past two decades."

After Commissioner Benepes welcoming remarks, Joseph Pierson, co-chair of the Heather Garden Trust and great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller Jr., read the speech Rockefeller gave when handing the picturesque piece of property over to New York City in 1935.

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the co-designer of Central and Prospect Parks, spent four years transforming the sites rocky topography and thin soil into a manicured landscape. Olmsted designed Fort Tryon Park with promenades, terraces, wooded slopes, and eight miles of pedestrian paths, careful to preserve open areas and the spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. When Rockefeller donated it to the City, he saw it as one of the great natural wonders in the United States, and gave the land as an act of preservation for the public.

Containing one of the highest points in Manhattan, Fort Tryon Park towers above the Hudson River, offering magnificent views of the Palisades and the lower Hudson Valley that challenge the notion that Manhattans best vistas are experienced from its skyscrapers. Parks & Recreation has spent nearly $10 million to restore Fort Tryon Park over the past two decadesincluding preservation of the picturesque Heather Garden, and a recently completed renovation at Margaret Corbin Circle and Linden Terrace.

"Teaching is the highest form of understanding."

Aristotle
(384-322 B.C.)

Falconry Extravaganza
The 8^th annual Falconry Extravaganza will take place in Central Parks East Meadow, at Fifth Avenue and 97^th Street, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Onlookers will witness the magnificent flights of a variety of bird of prey, including the tawny eagle, harris hawks, a saker falcon, and a Verreaux eagle. Expert Falconers will be on hand to answer questions and educate spectators as they get up close with the bald eagle, African spotted eagle owl, and red-tailed hawks. Visitors can also learn about the numerous ecology programs offered by the Urban Park Rangers. Commissioner Benepe will join the Rangers and world-renowned Master Falconer Jemima Parry-Jones at 1:30 p.m. to talk about these fascinating creatures of the sky.

This year marks the first time Parks has partnered with the International Center for Birds of Prey for this event. The center, a non-profit educational and conservation organization in South Carolina, provided all of the birds for the Extravaganza. It is home to nearly 200 birds of prey representing 78 species from 6 continents. The centers medical clinic treats hundreds of injured hawks, owls, falcons, ospreys, eagles, and other birds of prey each year, releasing the majority back into their natural habitat.

Medieval Festival
The area around the Cloisters Museum in Fort Tryon Park will be transformed into a medieval market village where knights in armor, jugglers, jesters, magicians, musicians, storytellers, and puppeteers will perform during the annual Medieval Festival. Peddlers and potters, bakers and brewers, clothers and weavers, artists, musicians, hunters, book binders, dyers, engravers, and an apothecarist will all display their crafts. Performers and fairgoers will be dressed in historical costumes and Medieval foods and craft items will be sold.

The falconry element is new to the festival this year, and will feature a hawk watch, conducted from 1:00 p.m.to 2:00 p.m. at the northern end of the beautiful Heather Garden. So if you miss out on the chance to see them at the Falconry Extravaganza, the Medieval Festival will offer yet another opportunity to witness these birds in flight and learn about the ancient art of falconry and the annual raptor migration.

The event will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A choreographed living chess game will take place at 3:00 p.m., and the afternoon will culminate with a thrilling joust between knights on horseback. Commissioner Benepe, Council Member Robert Jackson, and Assembly Member Scott Stringer will join the Royal Court in the Opening of the Tournament at 4:00 p.m.

For 20 years, the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park has been presented by the Washington Heights & Inwood Development Corporation, a privately and publicly supported not-for-profit corporation, in conjunction with Parks & Recreation.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference."

Elie Wiesel
(born 1928)

Parks & Recreations newest website feature, "Park of the Month," will introduce some of these "secret gardens" to curious New Yorkers and visitors alike. A link to the highlighted park will be available on Parks website, www.nyc.gov/parks, and the dedicated page will include panoramic and still photos, an interactive map, historical and press information, and links to capital projects and inspections.

"With parkland blanketing nearly 14 percent of New York City, theres no shortage of places to explore nature, play sports, or just relax," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "The Park of the Month feature will help New Yorkers discover the hidden gems that are theirs to discover and enjoy."

The inaugural Park of the Month, which will appear on www.nyc.gov/parks for the month of April, is Heather Garden in North Manhattans Fort Tryon Park. This historic, three-acre haven of more than 2,000 heath and heather plants and year-round flora is perched high above the picturesque Hudson River, offering unparalleled views of the river and the New Jersey Palisades.

"The gorgeous, historically rich Heather Garden is one of the few free public gardens of its size, yet so few people outside of Washington Heights are familiar with it," said Commissioner Benepe. "We hope that Park of the Month will open New Yorkers eyes to the diversity of our park system, to the green treasures hidden in our own backyard."

Fort Tryon Park, an official City landmark, also houses the Cloisters and the Jacob Koppel Javits and Anne Loftus Playgrounds. Fort Tryon, designed by the esteemed Olmsted Brothers architecture firm, was dedicated to the City by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1935. The garden and its surrounding park have been significantly restored over the last 20 years, thanks to a public-private partnership.

The two projects, completed at a cost of more than $600,000, included new pavement, benches, and the installation of a new drinking fountain at Linden Terrace. Funding for the project was allocated by the Mayors Office, Manhattan Borough President and City Council. In Margaret Corbin Plaza, the historic blue stone pavement has been replaced and new benches and wicket fencing have rejuvenated one of the parks main architectural features. New drainage has also been installed to improve water flow throughout the site.

Linden Terrace and Margaret Corbin Circle represent the major architectural features at the southern entrance to Fort Tryon Park. John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated the land for Fort Tryon Park to the City in 1931. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the co-designer of Central and Prospect Parks. Olmsted Jr. transformed the sites rocky topography and thin soil into a manicured landscape with promenades, terraces, wooded slopes, and eight miles of pedestrian paths, careful to preserve open areas and the spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Rockefeller actively oversaw the construction of the park, which was opened to the public on October 12, 1935.

In reconstructing Linden Terrace and Margaret Corbin Circle, designers took meticulous care to match the original work done by Olmsted in the 1930s. The blue stone was laid in the same formation as the original design, and the reconstructed terrace and circle provide stunning views across the Hudson River.

Fort Tryon Park contains one of the highest points in Manhattan, towering above the Hudson River, offering magnificent views of the Palisades and the lower Hudson Valley that challenge the notion that Manhattans best vistas are experienced from its skyscrapers. The Friends of Fort Tryon Park, a volunteer organization, began clean-up and partnership efforts to ensure that the site will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Written by Ashe Reardon

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"It is always the secure who are humble."

G.K. Chesterton
(1874-1936)

If your mother has a green thumb, a great way to kick off Mothers Day weekend is at Parks & Recreations "Green Day" at the Arthur Ross Citywide Nursery, in Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx. Usually closed to the public, the Citywide Nursery will open its doors, displaying hundreds of trees, plants, and flowers to horticulturally curious New Yorkers of all ages. Parks & Recreations expert gardeners and foresters will be on hand to give instruction on a variety of topics, including composting, pest management, and butterfly gardens. You and your mom can also bond by making nature crafts, learning flower pressing, and taking walking tours. "Green Day" is free and takes place on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nursery is located at East 242^nd Street and Van Cortlandt Park East.

Two historic house museums are also hosting Mothers Day activities. On Saturday, Brooklyns Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, at Clarendon Road and Ralph Avenue, will host a "Tea & Tulip Festival", from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. This free festival will include May Pole dancing, arts & crafts, live music from balladeer Linda Russell, and, of course, plenty of tea and tulips. On Sunday, the Merchants House Museum, at 29 East Fourth Street in Manhattan, will host a traditional "afternoon tea" in the Merchant Houses 19th-century garden. Treat your mother to a pot of English tea along with scones served with jam and clotted cream, finger sandwiches, and frosted confections. The cost is $40 per couple, with an additional $15 for each guest. Pre-payment and reservations are required for the two seatings at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Please call 212-777-1089 for more information.

The Urban Park Rangers have paid special attention to Mothers Day this year, with a variety of Mom-centric activities in parks throughout the city. On Saturday, mothers and children can head to Inwood Hill Parks Nature Center in Northern Manhattan to join in an afternoon of gardening and planting, beginning at 2 p.m. The Nature Center is located at 218th and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park. Mothers Day activities continue in Inwood Hill Park on Sunday, with a 10 a.m. hike through Overlook Meadow; the hike meets at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. You can also treat your mom to a meal at the New Leaf Cafin Fort Tryon Park, watching the sun set over the Palisades. Staten Islands High Rock Park is hosting a special Mothers Day hike on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m., giving out-of-borough residents plenty of time to take the ferry and make their way to the island. Hikers should meet at the High Rock Ranger Station, in High Rock Park, at the end of Nevada Avenue off Rockland Avenue. Crafty kids should head to the Central Park Dairy on Sunday, where they can make a Mothers Day gift at the Rangers "Eco-crafts" workshop. And for the truly adorable gift, stop by Central Parks Mineral Springs, where dozens of lonely dogs and cats will be looking for new owners to mother them. Visit the Central Park Conservancy website, www.centralparknyc.org, for more information on events in Central Park.

Christopher Clouden is the Commissioners Employee of the Month. Chris is the Manhattan Chief of Recreation and has been with Parks & Recreation since August 5, 1996. For many years, Chris has led the largest boroughs recreation program. Now, he also spearheads some of our most exciting and important projects. Chris has overseen opening preparations for the $20 million renovation of the Chelsea Recreation Center, which is now ready to burst with activity. The depth and quality of the centers amenities, including state-of-the-art exercise equipment, six floors of activity space, and a new indoor swimming pool, will make it one of Parks & Recreations premier recreation centers. Chris was also instrumental in organizing the successful Mayors Cup Track & Field Championship Meet on April 16 and 17, which brought together over 2,100 young athletes from each of the five boroughs. This historic event in Astoria Park was the first time that New York Citys public, parochial, and independent schools competed with each other in one contest. It will serve as a model for programs to come. One of Parks & Recreations most capable and effective managers, Chris continues to deliver at the highest level for the agency and, most importantly, for the youth of New York City. He was nominated by Deputy Commissioner for Public Programs Kevin Jeffrey.

Renata A. Sokolowski is the Capital Projects Employee of the Month. Renata A. Sokolowski is a Landscape Architect on the Staten Island Team and has been with Parks & Recreation since July 18, 1994. Renata joined Parks from the private firm Thomas Balsley Associates, where she worked on residential design. She quickly made an impact here with her talents for elegant designs, advanced computer programs, and 3D models constructed with wood, cardboard, clay, steel wire, and fabric. Renatas outstanding designs include the $8.5 million Union Square Park project, the $2 million Canal Park project, and the $7.4 million project at Fairview Park. Renata brings a calm and positive demeanor to her projects and helps keep her team focused and productive. For her nearly ten years of skilled service to Parks & Recreation, Renata was nominated by Team Leader Michael Browne and Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects Nancy Barthold.

Spencer T Tucker is the Management Employee of the Month. Spencer is a Photographer for Parks & Recreation and has been with the department since January 22, 2001. Spencer is a ubiquitous presence at Parks events, helping to capture them for eternity with his keen eye, insight, and sense of humor. His pictures of park scenes are prominent in The Daily Plant, Parks & Recreations Biennial Report, and in all our distributions. Last year, Spencers unique vision of parks was unveiled in a popular Arsenal Gallery exhibit showing the many faces of life and youth in City parks. Hard working, intelligent, and gifted, Spencer was nominated by Director of Public Information Megan Sheekey.

Milton Turner is an Operations Employee of the Month. Milton is an Associate Park Service Worker Crew Chief in Wolfes Pond Park, in Staten Islands District 3. Milton began with Parks & Recreation seasonally in the 1960s and returned full-time on November 3, 1986. Milton began his career with Shops in Brooklyns District 12. He has since transferred to Wolfes Pond Park as Crew Chief, earning responsibility for all of its properties, developed and undeveloped. Thanks to his efforts and the work of his Parks Opportunity Program crews, District 3 achieved 94% overall and 95% cleanliness ratings in 2003. He has also recently taken on major clean-up efforts of undeveloped or neglected park areas. Experienced and dedicated, Milton works hard to impart his work ethic and professionalism to his staff. A stalwart of Parks operations, Milton was nominated by Supervisor of Parks Maintenance and Operations Robert Parella.

Timothy A. Brown is an Operations Employee of the Month. Tim is an Assistant Gardener in Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan and has been with Parks & Recreation since April 23, 2001. Tim works primarily at the Heather Garden, as well as in other parts of Fort Tryon Park and District 12. For the past two years, Tim has been responsible for the planting and care of the woodlands adjacent to the Heather Garden. Tim hauls 400 feet of hose back and forth to ensure the plants are watered in the hot summers. He has pounded hundreds of posts and installed thousands of feet of fencing to protect the annuals, bulbs, trees, and shrubs he has planted throughout Northern Manhattan. He has scaled walls and rockfaces to remove poison ivy and other invasive plants. Tim also mows, weedwacks, and sprays herbicides throughout the sector, while leading countless volunteer groups at Inwood, Isham, Highbridge, and Gorman Parks with his inspiring energy. When not leading our greening efforts, Tim hits the books and is working on a dissertation in comparative religion at Syracuse University. A key part of our horticultural renaissance, Tim was nominated by Director of North Manhattan Parks Jane Schachat.

Christopher M. Davis is Public Programs Employee of the Month. Chris is a Special Projects Coordinator for Manhattan Recreation and has been with Parks & Recreation since November 28, 2000. Chris sports many hats for Recreation. He compiles each years annual report, secures staff for citywide special events, including Experience Spring, and helps coordinate the staffing, schedules, and budget for summer day camps. Chris is the Playground Associate Coordinator for the borough and has also served as a Pool Supervisor, helping Jackie Robinson Pool sail through a busy and safe 2003 season. Chris shows off his sporting knowledge by spearheading a baseball program in Manhattan, coaching a team of 13- and 14- year-olds in Brooklyns 3B League, and running Turn 2 clinics and workouts. Chris also went beyond the call of duty during the 2003 blackout by ensuring the safe evacuation of patrons, responding to a fire, and getting the pool pumps running by 7:30 a.m. the next day. Talented and driven, Chris was nominated by Chief of Manhattan Recreation Chris Clouden.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"I am becoming sick and tired about lying."

Walter ven der Vijver
Former CEO of Royal Dutch/Shell

"Thanks to its supporters and volunteers, the Heather Garden has changed from an overgrown, neglected site to one of the most beautiful public gardens on the East Coast," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "The transformation of the Heather Garden is one of the cornerstones of Parks & Recreations horticultural initiative and a testament to the way private funding can help revitalize public spaces."

"Our committee was marvelously generous and creative in response to this major challenge grant," said the committees Co-Chair, Edith Kean. "Weve had wonderful support for this project from New Yorkers citywide and many others who care about beautiful open space for all." Since their successful garden fundraiser last spring, committee members have consistently looked for funds from a variety of sources.

Committee members include Co-Chairs Edith Kean and Joseph Pierson, Dr. Ruth Westheimer (a 40-year neighborhood resident), Jeff Bauml, David Gmach representing ConEdison, Pierre de Vegh, Gretchen Elkus, Tom Kissinger, Mike Klein, Nancy Mortimer, Nicholas Quennell, Jessica Tcherepnine, and former local Council Members Guillermo Linares and Stanley E. Michels. The committee has organized fundraisers and community events and has made personal appeals to build an endowment for historic Fort Tryon Park, which is considered by many to be the anchor for the Washington Heights community. The committees goal is to raise $5 million for the park.

Also essential to the coordination of these efforts has been Parks & Recreations Director of Northern Manhattan Parks, Jane Schachat. Among many duties, Jane and her staff have helped organize and strengthen volunteer efforts to restore Fort Tryon and other nearby parks.

Located at one of the highest points in Manhattan and overlooking the Hudson River, the Heather Garden and Fort Tryon Park were given to the City by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The park, which opened in 1935, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., son of the co-designer of Central and Prospect Parks, and boasts a stunning landscape with spectacular vistas. This spring, the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park will burst with color from blooming heaths, helebores, crocuses, daffodils, azaleas, peonies, pansies, and over 100 different annuals.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few.

Emily Dickinson
"To Make a Prairie," 1755

The Gramercy Garden & Antiques Show temporarily transformed the architectural space of the Armory. The 69th Regiment Armory was made in 1904 in the style of early twentieth century train stations, complete with a 70-foot steel-arched, barrel-vaulted ceiling, a building designed to accommodate the 69th Regiments military drills. Last weekend, visitors to the awesome space were met by the sudden sound of falling water from stone and copper garden fountains, by the sweet smell of junipers and orchids, and by the sight of six rows of booths, each a different world of antiquities from the seventeenth to mid-twentieth centuries. Parks & Recreations booth, located prominently in the center back row, was the result of a collaborative effort organized by Assistant Commissioner for Citywide Services Jack T. Linn. His office expertly called upon supporters outside of the agency and talented Parkies from within. Stella Show Management Company, which put on the show, donated the exhibition space to Parks & Recreation, and Shop Studios designed the space using plants from our own Bronx greenhouse, including inkberry and small-flower daffodils, and a planter box with authentic Parks & Recreation green paint. A continuous loop of digital photographs, taken by Jane Schachat, was displayed on a screen within the booth, and Parkies were on hand to discuss our community gardening program, Greenstreets, nurseries, historic houses, and sculptures.

The show came to a close on Sunday afternoon with a seminar on Parks & Recreations efforts to restore one of the horticultural masterpieces of New York City: the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. Jane Schachat presented the talk, entitled Fort Tryon Park and the Heather Garden, Recreating a Master Landscape. Pulling up historic photographs from the Olmsted archives and images depicting the dramatic difference between the garden in the 1980s and now, Jane outlined the history of the land and underscored the success of Parks & Recreations efforts to bring it back to life.

The Parks & Recreation booth and seminar were successes, drawing hundreds of horticulture enthusiasts interested in parks and the Heather Garden, including Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh.

Written by Dana Rubinstein

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigor and freedom of the forest and the outlaw.

Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, 1849 ]]> 2009-11-21T20:06:08-05:00 dailyplant16397 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/daily_plants/daily_plant_main.php?id=16397 Don't let the skies fool you-spring is here and to prove it, there are dozens of determined flowers blooming all over the city. This year, Parks & Recreation is marking this annual spring phenomenon with an on-line "blooming guide," called "Parks in Bloom 2003." The guide provides New Yorkers with a list of locations of blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees in every borough. Nature-lovers can consult this resource to plan the most horticulturally interesting walks possible, while nature novices can use it to impress their friends with their sudden ability to distinguish between flowering dogwood and cherry trees.

The new blooming guide underscores Parks & Recreation Commissioner Benepe's horticultural goals for the agency. Benepe aims to make New York, "flower city" and with continuing help from numerous corporations, non-profit organizations, community groups, and citizen volunteers, it looks like New York will secure the title any day. Already, more flowers will bloom in New York's parks and gardens than ever before. And, as a quick read of the on-line guide confirms, New Yorkers can stroll through any park this time of year and encounter a huge variety of spring blooms.

In Brooklyn, for example, azalea and forsythia bushes, red buds and tulips decorate the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Horticultural enthusiasts can also head to the Narrows Botanical Gardens, and take in daffodils, forsythia and tulips. And at Borough Hall, the cherry blossoms are just starting to come out in full force. In the Bronx, some of the best blooms are found in Van Cortlandt Park. The 1,146 acre park is crowded with flowers this time of year, including marigolds, daffodils, cherry, dogwood, and Red maple tree blossoms. There are also a variety of flowering trees at the entrance to Pelham Parkway (Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue), while Crotona Park is home to fields of daffodils and white flowering pear trees. Daffodils can be seen all over Manhattan-throughout Central Park, Saint Nicholas Park at 135th Street and East River Park on the Lower East Side. Of course, the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park is the premier Manhattan destination to take in breathtaking blooms. Daffodils, tulips, columbine, Jacob's ladder, Lily of Valley, hyacinths, pansies, and ipheion, an unusual blue flower from South America, are just are few of the flowers that are blossoming in the Heather Garden's lavish garden beds. Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park is known for its pink cherry blossoms. The cherry trees also compete with the white flowering pear trees, and gold forsythia bushes. Also in Queens, Cunningham Park is famous for its tulips and Forest Park for its forsythia. On Staten Island, Silver Lake Park and Clove Lakes Park are crowded with cherry blossoms, crabapples, daffodils, forsythia, and tulips. Silver Lake Park also boasts flowering pear trees, while Clove Lakes park is home to star magnolia trees.

In addition to the floral displays described above, there are also thousands and thousands of daffodils in every borough, planted almost entirely by volunteers, as part of the "Daffodil Project" in partnership with New Yorkers for Parks. Planted in the wake of September 11th, as a living memorial of hope, it's especially uplifting to see the daffodils in this dreary weather-they are a reminder that sunnier days are ahead.

ANSWER KEY TO PARKS MINI QUIZ