"It's My Park! Day gives New Yorkers who want to pitch in a great opportunity to do so," said David Rivel, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. "With projects to suit every interest organized throughout the five boroughs, its easy to get involved and connect to your local park."

Participating projects are organized by local community groups, corporate partners, Parks & Recreation, and City Parks Foundation. This Saturday, you can get involved in Its My Park! Day by participating in a scheduled volunteer project, participating in one of the many free events planned for the day, or by simply enjoying the many free and exciting amenities your local parks have to offer.

Selected sites in each borough are listed below. To see a full list of participating sites, please visit www.itsmypark.org or call 311 for more information.

Bronx:

Poe Park
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to paint, plant and clean up! Coordinated by the Friends of Poe Park.

Clason Point Park
12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help clean shoreline, paint, and plant bulbs. Coordinated by community members and Starbucks employees.

Brooklyn:

Fort Greene Park
10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to rake, prune, plant bulbs, and celebrate at a fun Halloween event! Coordinated by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.

Manhattan:

Tompkins Square Park
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help clean up and plant bulbs. Coordinated by the East Village Parks Conservancy.

DeWitt Clinton
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help clean up and plant bulbs. Coordinated by the Manhattan Botanical Garden.

Jackie Robinson Park
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help with general clean up in the morning, followed by fun garden-related activities beginning at 12:00 p.m. Coordinated by the Jackie Robinson Park Conservancy.

Queens:

Rufus King Park
11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help paint, plant bulbs, and clean up. Refreshments will be offered to all volunteers. Coordinated by Centro Hispano Cuzcatlan.

Linden Playground
9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help plant and clean up. Coordinated by the Corona Business Corporation.

Staten Island:

Eibs Pond Park
9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help plant and spruce up trails. There will be refreshments and fun activities for kids. Coordinated by the Friends of Eibs Pond Park.

Lt. Lia Playground
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed to help plant and clean. Fun activities for kids are scheduled. Coordinated by Staten Island Recreation.

It's My Park! Day is supported by Gillette, The Skin Cancer Foundation, and the International Bulb Company. Media partners include: The New York Times, The New York Observer, WBLS and WB11. Partnership for Parks is a joint program of the City Parks Foundation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

Although performances took place throughout the East Village, Tompkins Square Park hosted some of the festivals most anticipated events, including "Wigstock." Founded in 1985 in Tompkins Square Park, "Wigstock" is a drag performance of spectacular proportions. Usually held in large venues, such as Union Square Park, this years performance marked a return to "old-school" Wigstock and included performances from the legendary performers Boy George, RuPaul, Lypsinka, and Wigstock founder, Lady Bunny. Over 2,000 people showed up for this years show.

The HOWL! Festival was also coordinated to coincide with two ongoing East Village festivals: the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and the Allen Ginsburg Poetry Festival, both held in Tompkins Square Park. Presented by the City Parks Foundation, the Charlie Parker Jazz festival took place on Saturday in Marcus Garvey Park and Sunday in Tompkins Square Park. The Tompkins Square performance was headlined by Jimmy Heath and included performances from Vanessa Rubin, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kenny Garret, and Rachel Z. At the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Festival, held on Friday, audiences were wowed with special readings by Kazim Ali, Erica Kaufman, C.A. Conrad, Anyssa Kim, Denize Lauture, Janine Pomy-Vega, Edwin Torres, Tracie Morris, John Giorno, and Bernadette Mayer. The festival was hosted by Steve Earle, singer, songwriter, and political activist, and Christopher Stackhouse, artist, curator, and poet.

Finally, Tompkins Square Park was intimately involved in a brand new event called "Art Around the Park." More than 100 artists gathered in the park over the weekend to cover a 900-foot long, eight-foot wide ribbon of blank canvas with original art. Working on assigned sections, the artists created a spontaneous work of art that ran from 10th Street and Avenue A, 7th Street and Avenue A, and halfway down 7th Street from Avenue A toward Avenue B. It incorporated hundreds of gallons of paint and sculptural material of all kinds.

Other highlights of the HOWL! festival included the Bluegrass Ball; Viva Charas!, an all day Latino music and dance festival with a guest appearance by Luis Guzman; a Poetry Jam at Joes Pub, with an all-star cast of Lilli Taylor, Ed Sanders, Edwin Torres, Suzanne Vega, Carl Hancock Rux, and Moby; Avant-Garde(n), seven nights of screenings and performances in seven different community gardens, and a HOWL! film festival, including screenings of Wild in the Streets, The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg, and End of the Century, a new documentary about the punk-rock band, The Ramones. The festivities ended yesterday evening with a political cabaret that included representatives from 30 New York-based activist groups and a salute to the spirit and history of the East Village.

Written by Hannah Gersen

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means."

William Faulkner
(1897-1962)

The General Slocum tragedy occurred on June 15, 1904, when the General Slocum, a steamship traveling up the East River, burst into flames. More than 1,000 people were killed in the fire, most of them women and children from the Lower East Side neighborhood, Kleindeutchland, a thriving German enclave. The fire began in the ships lower deck as the steamboat passed East 90th Street; as the boat moved up the East River, the fire quickly grew out of control. The boats captain, wary of the oil drums on the East River piers, did not try to dock the flaming ship, but instead plowed ahead to North Brother Island. General Slocums crew was young and inexperienced and every safety measure failed immediately: the ships rotten fire hoses burst when the water was turned on; the lifejackets were filled with disintegrated cork that had lost its buoyancy; and the lifeboats could not be dislodged. The fire was further stoked by the ships fresh coat of highly flammable paint, and by the captains decision to drive the boat full speed ahead. Onlookers watched in horror as General Slocums passengers began to throw themselves overboard. When the ship finally beached at North Brother Island, only a few survivors were pulled from the wreckage. The General Slocum tragedy brought the decline of Kleindeutschland. With a death toll of 1,021, almost everyone in the neighborhood knew someone on the steamship and most residents found the collective grief too much to bear.

Today, the General Slocum disaster is memorialized in two places: in Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan where the General Slocum Memorial Fountain is located; and in Middle Village, Queens, where many of Kleindeutschlands residents moved after the tragedy, a memorial service is held every year in the neighborhoods Lutheran cemetary. Under the guidance of their teacher Pat Urevith, Middle Villages students first began studying the steamboat tragedy in 1999, as a Social Studies project. Over the years, Ureviths students have created a number of projects commemorating the event, including a memorial quilt, pop-up book, woodcut and full-length play. Theyve also aided in a General Slocum documentary, conducting an interview with a 100-year-old survivor and obtaining a Newsday grant. Their daffodil planting project brought together five years of Ureviths classes and was organized by current Stuyvesant High School student Jonathan Pomboza. With the support of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and the coordination of Park Manager Elaine Crowley, the students planted over 1,000 daffodil bulbs around the General Slocum Memorial Fountain. Their springtime bloom will both beautify the memorial and draw New Yorkers to learn that story of the tragedy that transformed the Lower East Side.

"He was a one-book man.

Some men have only one book in them; others, a library."

(1771-1845)

Rodney is an Associate Urban Park Ranger and has been with Parks since September 13, 1993. He started with Central Communications and stood out for his ability to handle complaints and emergency situations. Currently a Sergeant in Manhattan, Rodney spends most of his time in the highly visible Riverside Park, addressing issues such as homelessness and dogs off leash, while overseeing the security contract for Riverside South. On multiple occasions he and his officers have pulled patrons to safety from the Hudson River. Sgt. Collazzo has developed excellent working relationships with NYPD and M&O, and has assisted with security issues at 5-Boro. An enthusiastic and dedicated Parkie, Rodney was nominated by Inspector Richard Gentles and Chief Alex Brash.

Ines began with Parks on August 4, 1999 and was promoted last year to Supervisor of the Contracts Unit at Purchasing and Accounting. Ines oversees bids, registration, and invoice payments, and helps monitor 100 formal contracts totaling over $16 million per year in areas as diverse as forestry, trades, stadia, and automotive. She has taken on a critical role in implementing our new $1 million USDA funded contract for chipping host material for the Asian Long Horn Beetle. Ines has a BA in International Affairs from Hunter College and is working on her Masters degree in Public Affairs at Baruch College. She was nominated by Chief of Management Services Parmod Tripathi.

Amy is a WEP Crew Chief and has been with Parks since June 27, 1995. She began with the Work Experience Program (WEP) and was hired as a CPW for District 15, East River Esplanade. Amy proved to be so reliable and hard working that she was promoted to Crew Chief for the busy Tompkins Square Park. Amy and her crew keep the park and playgrounds clean and secure each day. The acceptable cleanliness rating for District 3 is 91.2% in the last year. For the past two summers Amy has also served as Pool Supervisor for Dry Dock Pool. Amy is kind and courteous to Parks patrons as well as her fellow Parkies. For her positive attitude and good work, Amy was nominated by PRM Elaine Crowley.

Venice is a CPW in District 8 and has been with Parks since March 17, 1975. Working with the mobile and trim crews, Venice helps keep numerous playgrounds and parks clean and beautiful. Her trim crew was responsible for all of the trimming in the district last summer. Venice also operates a snowplow, has acted as a WEP Crew Chief, and was stepped up to seasonal APSW to drive heavy equipment such as packers, leaf vacuums, and rack trucks. District 8 has received a 92% acceptable cleanliness rating in the last year. In addition, Venice assists with all special events at Cunningham Park, and works with volunteer groups. Responsible and independent, Venice was nominated by SPMO James P. Rooney.

Patrick is a Letterer and has been with Parks since August 20, 1984. A talented sign maker, Patrick prepares most of the silkscreen signs and banners posted throughout Staten Island. He has designed a large number of signs, and has worked with all parts of the borough on special projects and events. Patrick takes pride in his work, ensuring that signs are sharp, correct and aesthetically pleasing. For his skill and service to Staten Island, Patrick was nominated by Deputy Chief of Operations Christine Rumpf.

Heres a second look at Washington Square Park from Mary McCarthys The Group, published in 1954.

"She left a message: Miss Renfrew is waiting in Washington Square, on a bench. Going back to the square, she was sorry she had left the message, because, after that, she did not dare annoy the landlady by calling back again. It now seemed strange to her that Dick had not rung her up at the Vassar Club, just to say hello, in the two and a half days that had passed since she left him. She considered calling there, to ask if there were any messages for herthe park was getting dark, and the benches were filling up with pairs of lovers. It was after nine oclock when she resolved to leave because men had started to accost her and a policeman had stared at her curiously."

"The human species, according to the best theory I can form of it,

is composed of two distinct races, the men who borrow and the men who lend."

(February 10, 1775-1834)

The nest was installed on Friday, January 31. Park patrons on their way to work stopped for a second to glance up and smile at the nest, happy to see a new home for their favorite-feathered neighbors. A cherry picker was raised several times to ensure that the nest was securely fashioned high in the treetops. The nest was specially designed by Tom Cullen to meet the needs of the hawks. Made of sticks and vines, it is also surrounded by a state-of-the-art camouflaged squirrel guard.

The installation team was made up of two foresters, Tom Ammirato and Brian Goscicki, two representatives from the East Village Parks Conservancy, Roland Legiardeloure and Carol Vinzant, and Senior Wildlife Manager of the Urban Park Rangers Tom Cullen. Deputy Chief of Operations Margaret Asaro Peeler, District Manager Elaine Crowley, and Manhattan Borough Commissioner Bill Castro also attended the event.

Parks & Recreation hopes that the hawks will use the nest as a starter home and make the necessary additions to accommodate their young in the late spring. "We are hopeful that the Red-tailed Hawks will settle and raise their young in Tompkins Square Park this spring and for many springs to come," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Benepe. The community is also hoping that the hawks will settle down in the park; not only are they the largest birds of prey in the city, they are also known for their appetite for squirrels, rats, mice and other vermin.

Red-tailed Hawks, also called Buteos, have a wingspan of four feet. These hawks typically begin to build their nests in the middle of February to prepare for the mating season that starts in mid-March. During the mating season, the males and females are known to display spectacular aerial feats, circling and soaring to great heights, and then folding their wings and plummeting from the sky. With a little luck, East Village residents will soon be able to witness these breathtaking displays of love.

"I owned the world that hour as I rode over it. free of the earth, free of the mountains, free of the clouds, but how inseparably I was bound to them."

(February 4, 1902-1974)

For the sixth year in a row row, environmentally-minded New Yorkers had the opportunity to bring their Christmas trees to Mulchfest 2002. The byproduct of everyone's hard work, the woodchips, have great use in parks, on streets and even in your own garden. Chips insulate the soil around the base of the tree, reduce soil compaction, increase moisture and prevent salt-shock. Wood chips can also be used in homes and gardens to enrich soil, control weeds, and make for beautiful landscaping.

The bulk of the 2,400 trees that were chipped came from the neighbors surrounding Prospect Park and throughout the borough. Brooklyn's flagship park chipped around 1,200 trees and expect to chip at least another 300 this week as local residents keep dropping dead trees off around the perimeter of the park. Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Cunningham Park in Queens, the Greenbelt Nature Conservancy, and Tompkins Square Park and Riverside Park in Manhattan where the other sites for chipping mania.

Read the original press release for Mulchfest 2002.

Winter Festival 2002 has been postponed due to the predicted warm weather. The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 12, will now be held on Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This free festival takes place on the Central Parks East Meadow at 99^th Street and 5^th Avenue. This event offers New Yorkers the rare opportunity to participate in a variety of winter sports usually relegated to more frigid climates.

(Thursday, January 19, 1989)

Wielding a gold sledgehammer and wearing a bright green Parks hard hat, Mayor Edward I. Koch came prepared to break ground last Tuesday at the St. Marys Recreation Center in the Bronx.

On the count of the three, the mayor took a swing at a concrete wall in the gym which will soon be knocked down as part of a $5.8 million Phase I capital project to renovate the center. Other renovations at the three-story recreation center will include the installation of new bleachers, drinking fountains, gymnastic and weight lifting equipment, and a Universal Gym system.

A trees a tree. How many more do you need to look at?

Ronald Reagan
September 12, 1965

(Reagan later denied having made this statement)

Douglas T. (Slugfest) Still is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for July. Slugfest joined Parks on August 26, 1996 after receiving his Masters in Urban Forestry. Slugfest currently works as the Assistant Director of Street Tree Planting at Central Forestry. Slugfest monitors the progress of nine borough foresters, who coordinate the planting of nearly 15,000 trees a year. Slugfest has also taken on special projects including teaching tree identification courses, and installing tree guards on Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in Manhattan. For his service and friendship to New York City's trees, Slugfest was nominated by Treetop.

Edwin (Rich Port) Falcon is Citywide Services' Employee of the Month for July. Rich Port joined Parks on August 1, 1988. He currently works as a Lieutenant with the Urban Park Rangers out of Manhattan South, including Battery Park. Rich Port has helped to improve park safety by taking aggressive stands against unleashed dogs, illegal vendors, and unruly patrons. In his many years with PEP, Rich Port forged close relationships with both Parks M&O and with the NYPD. These contacts help Parks respond more quickly and effectively to security concerns. For his improved work and commitment to Parks Enforcement, Rich Port was nominated by Bronco.

Debbie E. (Polyester) Weiss is Management's Employee of the Month for July. Polyester joined Parks on June 14, 1999 from and currently works in Central Recreation. Throughout the school year, Polyester coordinates the recently developed Parks Enhanced After-School Program, which focuses on fine arts, literacy and drama at seven recreation centers. This summer Polyester is in charge of 17 summer festivals being held in parks throughout the city. She also works closely with Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation, which funds youth baseball clinics. Polyester's hard work, flexibility and persistence have resulted in many successful projects serving the city's youth. A valuable asset to Recreation, Polyester was nominated by Iceman and Catalan.

Ryszard K. (Gdynia) Ossowski is Manhattan's Employee of the Month for July. Gdynia joined Parks on September 9, 1990 as a seasonal CPW in Brooklyn. He became a permanent employee in 1993, and currently works as an APSW in Manhattan's District 3, which includes Tompkins Square Park and East River Park. Gdynia serves as District 3's primary packer operator. Each day, he reliably keeps to his route ensuring that all garbage is picked up on time. He has maintained his schedule despite recent changes in waste dumping prompted by the closing of Sanitation's Manhattan waste transfer sites. Dependable and dedicated, Gdynia was nominated by Tavola.

Gary D. (Neutral) Fello is Queens' Employee of the Month for July. Neutral joined Parks on April 1, 1985 and currently works as a CPW in District 2 in Queens, which includes Doughboy Park and Windmuller Park. Neutral has been assigned to District 2 for nearly a decade, and in that time has become recognized by Parks employees and patrons alike as a dedicated and effective Parkie. He quickly assesses maintenance needs and then applies himself to find the best solution, whether using different tools or spending extra time on a project. His attention to detail has helped District 2 achieve 91.2% cleanliness ratings so far in 2001. An important asset to Queens parks, Neutral was nominated by Apothecary.

Christopher W. (Bobcat) Pallotta is Staten Island's Employee of the Month for July. Bobcat joined Parks on May 10, 2000 and currently works as a CPW at the Staten Island Dispatch Garage. Bobcat brings a number of skills to the garage, including a CDL license and a Pesticide Application certificate. Beyond his normal driving duties, Bobcat assists with special events, and helps with Wenger Wagon and bleacher operations. In the last year, Bobcat has shown the ability to work quickly and effectively. A promising new employee in Staten Island, Bobcat was nominated by Garage Dispatch Supervisor Jeff Askloff.

Jason R. (Oquaga) Stanevich is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for July. Oquaga started with Parks on December 28, 1999 working with Liquidator as a Benefits Coordinator. The following spring, Oquaga headed up Ivory's Record Retention Initiative and effectively reorganized and tracked Parks records at Chelsea Rec. Center. Once Chelsea was complete, Oquaga was promoted to Northside's office to work alongside Red Rock in Field Operations. Oquaga quickly became the agency's lead representative on the Mayor's Rat and West Nile Task Forces, working with OEM and the Department of Health to eradicate mosquitoes and rodents for the City's 28,000 acres of parkland. This summer, Oquaga is monitoring our beaches and pools, responding to emergencies 24/7. For his hard work and achievement, Oquaga was nominated by Northside and Red Rock.

By Keith T. (Kermit) Kerman and Sarah (Cria) Coleman

>>Go to Employee Awards Program Page

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, August 3, 1988)

SUMMERSTAGE'S BEGINS SIZZLING
FRIDAY NIGHT SERIES

SummerStage presents an exciting August Friday night performance series featuring Ralph Lee and the Mettawee River Company, who present "The Ringdove" on August 12 at 8:30 P.M.; a revival of Ping Chong and Company's "Kind Ness" on August 19 at 9 P.M.; and a monologue by Quentin Crisp on August 26 at 8:30 P.M. The free series will take place at the Central Park Bandshell, mid-park at 72nd Street.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail;
mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession."

Sallust [Gaius Sallustius Crispus] 86-34 B.C.

In 1906 the Slocum Memorial Fountain was dedicated in Tompkins Square Park. The youngest survivor, Adella Wotherspoon, unveiled the monument-9 feet tall and constructed of pink marble in the shape of a gravestone for the 61 unidentified dead. Ms. Wotherspoon returned when Parks rededicated the memorial in 1991 after renovating it.

Accounts of the disaster tell that the band played even as the boat burned around them. A woman delivered birth on deck, and passengers jumped overboard by the hundreds. Emergency medical care was delivered off the coast of Queens. The captain of the Slocum was tried and convicted of negligence. He served the first three years of his sentence at Sing Sing until William Howard Taft exercised his presidential right to grant a pardon in response to a petition of some 250,000 signatures.

CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE BEGINS

Central Park SummerStage opened its season with a dance show on Friday, June 15. Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre performed La Mezcla, a piece commissioned by SummerStage. Headliners Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, 30 dancers and musicians, made their North American debut, performing the Spanish and Cuban folk dance for which they are known. They also premiered pieces of their work Fuerza Y Compas to great enthusiasm from the packed crowd. The next free SummerStage performance is Sunday, June 24, at 3:00 p.m. For a full schedule of performances, visit www.SummerStage.org.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, June 20, 1988)

CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE OPENS

The third season of SummerStage opened on a good note Friday night at the Central Park Bandshell. The evening began in perfect harmony with a crowd of 1,500 and performances by the American Tap Dance Orchestra, saxophonist Lenny Pickett and the R&B a capella group "The Persuasions." Central Park Administrator Elizabeth Barlow Rogers and Commissioner Stern read a special proclamation from Mayor Koch, officially declaring the beginning of SummerStage.

The free SummerStage performance series is primarily funded this year with a $200,000 gift from Tropicana Products, Inc. It is presented by Parks and the Central Park Conservancy. This year more ears than ever will hear SummerStage as WNYC-FM (94.1), New York's public radio station, will broadcast seven of the concerts to the New York radio audience and the entire National Public Radio network.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"A sonnet is a moment's monument."

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

From 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Parks will recycle evergreen trees by chipping them. The resultant wood chips can be used to line tree pits along streets and in city parks. They help insulate the soil at the base of the tree and reduce soil compaction. They create moisture and help prevent the salt shock that can occur at this time of year. In homes and gardens, wood chips enrich soil quality and control weed growth. Participants in Saturday's event will be encouraged to take home bags filled with woodchips. Any remaining chips will be converted to mulch, the nutrient-rich organic soil compound for which the festival is named. Through collaborative composting projects, Parks and the Department of Sanitation have reduced the city's annual waste stream by 7,000 tons. Money that was previously spent transporting trees to the Fresh Kills Landfill now funds new trees and shrubs.

Commissioner Stern addressed the press saying, "Mulch Fest 2001 is a great opportunity to put trees to continued good use after a leafy life above ground. This Saturday, we will involve New Yorkers in a simple effort to appreciate trees not only for their beauty but for their down-to-earth qualities as well." With that he, the Mayor, and Commissioner of Sanitation Kevin P. (Peter Pan) Farrell fed a sizable tree into a woodchip machine.

RECREATION CENTERS HOST SUCCESSFUL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

In the midst of holidays and school vacation 480 youngsters aged 8-17 went toe-to-toe on basketball courts around the city from Wednesday December 27 to December 29, 2000 in the 3rd annual Evergreen Cup Basketball Tournament. This year's tournament, sponsored by Parks, the City Parks Foundation, and the Joelson Foundation, was improved by the addition of a fifth age bracket. A total of 48 teams competed at six sites around the city: the 54th Street Recreation Center, St. Mary's Recreation Center, St. John's Recreation Center, Bronsviller Recreation Center, Al Smith Recreation Center, and Lost Battalion Hall. For championship day, Al Smith was decked out with tinsel, ribbons, banners, and trophies on display. A DJ and play by play announcer kept the crowd engaged. The Jackie Robinson Steppers and the Al Smith Poetry Slammers showcased their expertise with two hip art forms.

Congratulations to the 8-10 coed team from Staten Island, the 13 and under boys team from St. Mary's, the 15 and under girls from Pelham Fritz, the 15 and under boys from Brownsville, and the 17 and under boys from St. Mary's, and to all the teams who participated. Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern welcomed visitors and players to the championship saying, "may this tradition remain an ever-young, ever-fun Evergreen Chmpionship." Thanks to Al Smith Center Manager Rosemary (Chispa) Tavarez, Director of Sports Activities for Brooklyn Recreation James (Buddy) Keaton, Special Projects Coordinator for Manhattan Recreation Anton (Downtown) Brown, Deputy Manager at St. Mary's Geoff (Silk) Houston, Recreation Supervisor for Staten Island Lisa (Kita) Cooney, Center Manager at Sorrentino Recreation Center Bernard (Sandman) Robinson, and to Citiwide Athletic Coordinator Aaron (Ghinda) Greenberg who coordinated the successful tournament.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, January 6, 1988)

PARKS PHOTO SHOW "FOUR IN FOCUS" TO OPEN IN ARSENALK GALLERY

If you're camera shy, you'd better not be within sight of the Arsenal Gallery on Tuesday, January 12. It's guaranteed to be crawling with camera bugs.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Most of us are about as eager to be changed as we were to be born,
and go through our changes in a similar state of shock."

James Baldwin (1924-1987)]]> 2009-11-21T18:21:12-05:00 dailyplant7509 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/daily_plants/daily_plant_main.php?id=7509 Parks, the National Guard, and giant battlefield machinery teamed up on Monday, August 28 for a massive attack in the restoration of the Bronx River. Through the National Guard's innovative GuardHELP program, soldiers were brought in, accompanied by huge eight-wheel HEMETT wreckers designed for vehicle recovery on the battlefield and an all-terrain forklift, to remove approximately 20 cars that lay deeply embedded in the river. Governor George E. (Hudson) Pataki, Parks Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern, Senator Guy J. Vellela, and head of the National Guard General James (Mohican) Fenimore were all present for the clean-up event, which moved forward successfully despite the morning's inclement weather.

For the past year and a half, Parks has worked hard to restore the river, turning it into a welcome natural resource for generations to come. Jenny (AquaTerra) Hoffner has been instrumental in coordinating the continuing clean up effort. Over the past year, Parks and Partnerships for Parks have coordinated two River Blockage Removal projects in which 27 cars and 80 tons of trash were removed from the river. Moreover, Parks has successfully leveraged additional private and public resources through its creation of Waterways & Trailways, the initiation of the Adopt-the-River program, and coordination of the Bronx River Working Group, an alliance of over 55 community groups, non-profits and government agencies working together to make the vision of a restored river a reality. In 1999, Parks published the Bronx River Action Plan outlining $60 million in funded and proposed restoration projects and initiatives.

To date, Parks has removed over 250 tons of debris, and over 2,000 volunteers have taken part in clean ups and events along the river. We have received $770,000 in TEA-21 money to fund the critical West Farms Greenway Link and $425,000 from the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration for habitat restoration projects. The Community Development Block Grant funds total $70,000. Last November, Con Edison became the first corporate partner to participate in the Adopt-a-River program, donating $50,000. Ford has also joined this distinguished effort with a contribution of $30,000.

Another of Parks' goals on the Bronx River area is to turn much of the land that borders the river into parkland. Parks has, to date, acquired more than 40 acres of Bronx River waterfront, including Tiffany Street Pier, Soundview Lagoons, and, most recently, the former cement factory near Westchester Avenue and the Bruckner Expressway.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, August 31, 1987)

A PARKS PROFILE: ROSE BADER

To the parents and children who frequent St. Vartan Park at East 35th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan, Rose Bader is simply known as "Ms. Rose." As Recreation Director of the park, each morning she goes out of her way to give fresh coffee and rolls to the homeless, and as the day progresses she welcomes families to the park. Bader joined Parks on May 1, 1944, and worked as a Playground Director at a time when few women chose to enter this field. She worked for 17 years at Tompkins Square Park in Mahattan's East Village under former Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. While working there she met her husband, Peter, who was a Recreation Supervisor and 29-year Parks veteran.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

If I had wings and I could fly, I know where I could go. But right now I'll just sit here so contentedly And watch the river flow.

Bob Dylan (b. 1941)

The Parkside and Ocean Avenues entrance is the second mostly heavily used entrance to Prospect Park, leading to many of the park's main attractions-the Zoo, Lefferts Homestead, the Carousel, and the Lincoln Road and Imagination Playgrounds. The entrance, which was in need of repair, now looks better than ever. Many of the bricks in the Plaza's entrance were removed and reset. Workers also had the task of repainting the 1904 Pergola an eggshell white after stripping off six layers of old paint and graffiti. Wisteria vines hang over the colonnades, giving park visitors a hint of the tranquil space inside the park. The lawn around the entrance has been re-seeded, the pathways have been re-paved, and new benches have been installed. Finally, a handcrafted rustic shelter, designed by Architectural Preservationist Paul Daley of the Alliance and built by artist Curtis Barnhart of Long Island, has been added to the southeastern peninsula of the Lake, recreating the original structure designed by Calvert Vaux.

The restoration of the Parkside & Ocean Avenues entrance is part of an ongoing effort to restore and preserve the 526-acre park for generations to come.

SOUNDS OF CHARLIE PARKER MOVE UPTOWN FOR FESTIVAL'S EIGHTH YEAR

For the past eight years, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival has taken place in Tompkins Square Park, right across the street from Parker's former home. This year, the festival expanded into a two-day event, bringing the smooth and snappy sounds of a variety of world-class jazz artists to Marcus Garvey Park at 122nd St. On Saturday, August 26, the music of Bobby Sanabria y Ascension, Irene Reid Quartet, Winard Harper Sextet, David Glasser Quartet with Norman Simmons and Clark Terry, and the Lou Donaldson Quartet featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith pleased the ears of uptown New Yorkers and jazz fans from throughout the area. The 20.2 acre park was renamed in honor of Marcus Garvey, the black leader who strived to promote racial pride and black economic independence, in 1973. The festival closed out on Sunday, back in its original groove in Tompkins Square Park.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, August 31, 1987)

A VISITING MAYOR KOCH MEETS PARKS MANAGERS

Mayor Edward I. Koch came to the Arsenal at 7:45 A.M. last Friday to meet with Commissioner Stern and parks managers to discuss agency policies and operations. It was his 20th visit to a city agency this year. In the hour or so that the Mayor was in the third floor conference room, almost every major current issue in the agency was touched upon. As various managers fielded questions, the topics covered included the status of city zoos, the Neighborhood Parks Restoration program, the complex program of the homeless in city parks, projects undertaken by the Natural Resources Group, tree pruning and tree stump removal.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

How to be green? Many people have asked us this important question. It's really very simple and requires no expert knowledge or complex skills. Here's the answer. Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life.

Penny Kemp (b. 1951) and Derek Wall (b.1965)