"Parks is delighted to host our 19th annual fleet and vehicle show and highlight some of the most advanced alternative fuel technologies available," said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Parks is dedicated to greening our city and you cant get any greener than having a clean fleet. All of our efforts combined with others across the city will help to realize Mayor Bloombergs PlaNYC initiative to improve the Citys air quality."

A special section at the show featured biodiesel trucks, hybrid and solar-powered vehicles, and electric equipment, among others. The show featured the first examples we have shown of hybrid medium-duty trucks (previously we have shown mostly light duty).

Parks is actively involved with Mayor Bloombergs PlaNYC initiative to clean the Citys air and is pursuing a number of initiatives to "clean its fleet." Parks is the first City agency to use biodiesel agency-wideall 650 of our trucks now use biodiesel. Biodiesel is made in the U.S. from organic sources, burns cleaner than regular fuel and is renewable. Parks currently uses biodiesel made from soybean oil and was the first City agency to combine the ultra low sulfur diesel with biodiesel. This summer we will be piloting Biodiesel 50 at Orchard Beachif successful we hope to use higher percentages of biodiesel in warmer months. In addition, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling sites will soon be operational at our Central Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park garages.

We are also installing emission reduction equipment on many of our vehicles. This winter we will install 180 diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) on existing diesel trucks. These reduce harmful emissions approximately 20% and will work in tandem with biodiesel. Our 15 new tree trimmers and 15 chipper dumps will come equipped with DOCs. We will receive 48 new trucks in 2007 that will have diesel particulate filters (DPFs)which reduce emissions up to 90%. In the next few years, we will work to ensure that all diesel trucks have these technologies.

By the end of 2007, we will operate 487 alternative light duty vehicles, which includes sedans, SUVs, pick-ups, gem carts, and vans. In addition, we operate electric and CNG forklifts, as well as electric platform lifts, a sweeper, a floor scrubber and will be installing two electric trams in Queens. We also acquired two solar-powered utility vehiclesthe Citys firstearlier in the month.

- 30 -

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, leadership of the Randalls Island Sports Foundation (RISF), and young members of the Randalls Island Kids Nature Program to announce the completion of the half-mile path leading from the East 103^rd Street footbridge to Icahn Stadium.

This waterfront pathway features bicycle and pedestrian trails along the Parks western shoreline. It creates scenic waterfront views along the East River and provides increased access to Randalls Island Park for the neighboring communities of East Harlem and the South Bronx. When completed, the entire pathway will run nearly the entire 5-mile shoreline of the Park, allowing all New Yorkers to enjoy leisurely bike rides and scenic walks along its length.

"The pathway marks an important milestone in RISFs ongoing commitment to providing increased access to the unique waterfront resources and facilities of Randalls Island Park," said Randalls Island Sports Foundation Executive Director Aimee Boden. "This is a wonderful example of a successful public-private partnership that benefits all New Yorkers."

It was also announced that a $4 million wetlands restoration project would soon begin. This work will remove decades of trash and debris from the Little Hell Gate Wetlands, comprising 5.25 acres of some of the last undeveloped waterfront on Randalls Island. The wetlands will then be re-graded and planted with salt marsh and freshwater vegetation that will clean and filter the water, reducing pollution in the East River and Long Island Sound and eventually restoring habitats for birds and fish. The restored wetlands will also serve as an expanded outdoor classroom for the 10,000 children served by the RISF through free recreation and sports programming.

The Randalls Island Sports Foundation, founded in 1992, is a public-private partnership with Parks & Recreation that seeks to realize the unique potential of 480 waterfront parkland acres anchoring Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. They strive to empower under-resourced children through sports and recreation with an investment of over $300 million in world class facilities, playing fields and programming.

"The upgrade and enhancement of Parks & Recreation track & field facilities is a logical step in making this type of athletic activity more accessible for New York Citys young athletes," said Deputy Commissioner for Public Programs Kevin Jeffrey. "These regional venues reduce travel time for kids and allow for higher-level competitions to be held locally. For example, the First Annual Mayors Cup meet was held this past April at the new track in Astoria Park, Queens. Nearly 1,500 young athletes from the Citys public, independent and parochial schools competed."

Outdoors in parks and indoors in recreation centers throughout the city, the Parks & Recreation Capital Projects division is developing elliptical tracks made from prefabricated rubber panels. These panels are manufactured in the controlled environment of a factory, eliminating variables like erratic temperatures that can effect the installation process of a pour-in-place (on-site) rubber crumb system often used to coat tracks. Prefabricated materials cost more, but they guarantee quality, longevity and resiliency. They also require less maintenance than the once popular cinder-surfaced tracks.

To construct these tracks, natural rubber is mixed with pigment and produced in custom-made sheets. Once transported to the site, the sections are laid down like a carpet over a carefully prepared and graded sub-base. Proliferating across the city, these new tracks are smooth and brightly colored with demarcated lanes. The almost imperceptibly bouncy surface minimizes the adverse effects that pounding pavement might otherwise have upon users and puts a slight spring in every runners step.

Deputy Team Leader for Bronx Capital Projects Andrew Penzi was the Landscape Architect who designed one such track in Pelham Bay Park. The regulation 400-meter track, just one component of a new track & field facility for New York Citys largest park, replaces a worn out pour-in-place system. The track will wrap around a new synthetic turf football field. Long jump, high jump, pole vault, discus and shot-put facilities are also being built in the vicinity. Construction, which began in February on this $2,505,000 project, is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Funds were allocated by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Council Member Madeline Provenzano, and a Dormitory Authority Grant.

Also in the Bronx and set to open by the end of September, a shorter course is under construction at Bathgate Park. The inner oval area bounded by the track is being surfaced in the same rubber material as the track itself. Here, under the careful supervision of Resident Engineer Ahamad Baksh, different colored rubber pieces are being cut and installed to form a map of the earth.

Ground in Brooklyn is about to be broken for a new track at Linden Park, and Brooklyn Team Landscape Architect Marcha Johnson is in the process of designing a 400-meter track to replace the existing cinder one at Kaiser Park. At Victory Field in Forest Park, Queens, where the Mayor just cut the ribbon on a brand new synthetic turf baseball field, construction on a new little league field contained inside a track has already begun, and a track for Keith Williams Park is in design. An indoor track, currently under construction at the East 54^th Street Recreation Center in Manhattan, will loop around on a gallery above the perimeter of a basketball court below. On the Lower East Side, a new rubber track and synthetic turf field are under construction at Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island, already in construction, will house the only Class 1 IAAF certified track in the United States. Designed with an asphalt and gravel sub-surface for superior drainage, the level of the track will fluctuate by less than an eighth of an inch over any ten feet of track. Meeting and superceding even-gradation and other requirements qualifies the venue for hosting international competitions, rendering it an eligible candidate to hold the next Summer Olympic trials in 2008. The new stadium will have seating for up to 10,000 spectators, a roof, light towers for night usage, a regulation-size soccer field, locker rooms able to accommodate up to a thousand visiting athletes and training and treatment rooms.

Icahn Stadium will attract world-class events, while also providing a key resource to local communities and schools. The $45 million project is funded by $22.6 million in public funds and the rest by private donations raised by the Randalls Island Sports Foundation and Parks & Recreation, including a $10 million gift from Carl Icahn. It is scheduled to open in spring 2005.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we
are given the opportunity to perform at our best."

Michael Johnson
(b. 1967)

Participating vendors set up colorful tents and booths and displayed the latest technology in vehicles, horticultural equipment, and services related to field and technical services. Food was abundant as vendors tried to entice potential customers to inspect their products. The Fleet Show attracted officials from numerous local, state, and federal government agencies in addition to the private sector.

The range of products and services was diverse. Aerial-Lift, Inc. brought a brand-new tree trimmer, raising brave attendees up over 50 feet in the trimmers "bucket," for a birds eye view of Randalls Island. Haul-All showed off their all-purpose, six-services-in-one maintenance truck, the first of which will be coming to Queens parks this summer. Storr Tractor brought a fleet of the latest in ballfield and turf maintenance equipment. Stageline showed off one of their portable stages, a version of which will soon be delivered to Wingate Park in Brooklyn. Air compressors, safety lights, mechanics tools, tow trucks, pressure washers, and anti-graffiti coatings were among the hundreds of other items displayed and discussed.

An exceptionally strong contingent of alternative fuel vehicles and equipment rounded out the event. Vogelbilt Corp showed off a 350 horsepower pick-up truck that ran on clean-burning diesel made from vegetable oil. ElectraVaya demonstrated a fleet of zero-emission electric utility vehicles, and attendees were invited to zip around in small electric foot scooters made by Personal Electric Transportation. A full-size gas/electric hybrid bus also arrived, which was the largest hybrid vehicle at the show. In keeping with Parks & Recreations recent green initiatives, this years fleet show also hosted "Advance the Choice," an annual event of the Clean Cities federal alternative energy program which is coordinated by the New York City Department of Transportation. Clean Cities had their own display, showing off new equipment, and hosted speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and many cutting edge vendors.

The purpose of the show was to increase awareness of new technologies and alternative energy for Parks & Recreation and other agencies, while giving vendors the chance to meet potential customers. Although the rain and clouds dampened the island in the morning, weather and spirits were high at another successful show. Deputy Chief of Operations Dan Froehlich organized the Fleet Show along with the New York City Department of Transportations Mark Simon and Susan McSherry, who organized the Clean Cities event. Special thanks go to Operations employees Muhammad Nadeem, Sherry Lee, Harris Kaplan, Susan Friedman, Howard Febo, Mahanth Joishy, and many others. Written by Keith Kerman & Mahanth Joishy

But lo! men have become the tools of their tools.

Henry David Thoreau

(18171862)

A Spanish word for elation, joy and jubilation, Alegr features an international cast of 59 performers and musicians from 16 countries. Alegr has a baroque, operatic style with flamboyant costumes, extraordinary lighting and an elaborate set design. The result is an impressive mix of skill, strength and speed combined with elegant performances.

The two-and-a-half hour spectacle showcases breathtaking acrobatics, including the Synchro Trapeze and the high-speed, high-energy Aerial High Bars, where daring aerialists fly to catchers swinging more than 40 feet in the air. The vibrancy of youth is alive in Fast Track, a display of synchronized choreography and tumbling achieved through a trampoline system that magically appears from within the set.

Alegr is the vision of a creative team led by Director Franco Dragone. Founded in Montreal in 1984 by street performer Guy Lalibert Cirque du Soleil has wowed close to 40 million spectators around the world. Cirque du Soleil, a theatrical blend of circus arts played out against fairyland sets awash in magical effects and set to spellbinding music, is currently presenting nine shows on three continents.

On Sunday, May 16, in Randalls Island Park, the Randalls Island Sports Foundation (RISF) will hold a special matinee performance of Alegr for New Yorkers, their families, and children from RISFs Kids Island Club, a free physical education program for over 7,000 East Harlem and South Bronx children. The event will be hosted by RISF Cirque du Soleil Family Benefit Chairs and the Board of Trustees. All benefit proceeds will go to RISF, a public-private partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Parks & Recreation, with the help of RISF, is developing the 480-acre Randalls Island Park into a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment destination in New York City.

Estee Lauder spokesmodel Carolyn Murphy and Law & Order SVUs Tamara Tunie will be Honorary Chairs of the 2004 Cirque du Soleil Family Benefit, and on May 16, RISF will dedicate a seat to Carolyn and Tamara in the new world-class Icahn Stadium in recognition of their support. Thanks to Gail and Carl Icahns recent $10 million gift, Icahn Stadium is expected to open in spring 2005. Over 40 seats have been sold through RISFs $5 million Take a Seat naming campaign, which provides a special opportunity to become a permanent fixture in sports history on the site where Jesse Owens won the Olympic trials and Pelmade his American debut. Icahn Stadium is the first phase of RISFs $400 million Management, Restoration and Development Plan, which includes a performing arts amphitheatre, a water park, additional sports fields, and a Gaelic Football stadium. Icahn Stadium will be a premiere resource for New York City children to develop athletic skills, maintain good health, and realize their potential. For more information on purchasing tickets for this benefit, please contact RISF at 212-830-7722 or visit www.risf.org.

The regular performance schedule and tickets for Alegr can be accessed by visiting www.cirquedusoleil.com or by calling Admission Network at 1-800-678-5440.

"Men cannot see their reflection in running water, but only in still water."

Chuang Tzu
Philosopher (c. 4th century BCE)

Commissioner Benepe began his remarks by affirming the importance of partnerships, referencing early examples such as the Central Park Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and GreenThumb. He called our modern partnerships strategic mainstays, listing the positive relationships Parks & Recreation maintains with non-profit agencies, corporations, individuals, City Council Members, and city, state, and federal agencies. Commissioner Benepe also spoke about the way partnerships make the agency more accountable by requiring Parks & Recreation to take the needs of volunteers and private partners into account.

In his dicussion of partnerships, the commissioner addressed two common criticisms: that private partnerships corporatize parks and that partnerships contribute to a two-tier system of park maintenance. Commissioner Benepe pointed out that Parks & Recreation frequently rejects inappropriate events and sponsorship opportunities. He also stressed that any private money spent in flagship parks allows Parks & Recreation to allocate more funding to neighborhood parks. In addition, Commissioner Benepe discussed the strategies Parks & Recreation has employed to bring new funding to small parks, such as appointing new park administrators, creating catalyst sites, and bundling neighborhood parks into attractive, understandable packages for sponsors. Finally, Commissioner Benepe emphasized that any positive change to one park was a positive change for all parks, raising expectations for quality-of-life throughout the city.

Underscoring Parks & Recreations continued commitment to children, Commissioner Benepe identified Putting Children First as the agencys most important initiative. Last year, Parks & Recreation served over 500,000 children with its recreational and special events programming. Commissioner Benepe talked about the positive benefits children receive from Parks & Recreation programs, and the ways that partnerships with the Departments of Education and Health and of Mental Hygiene have allowed Parks & Recreation to effectively contribute to the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of New York Citys children. Some of Parks & Recreations most successful inter-agency partnerships include Shape Up New York, Derek Jeters Turn2 baseball clinics, and Parks AfterSchool.

Commissioner Benepe also discussed the importance of youth athletics, highlighting new sports facitilities, such as Randalls Islands Ichan Stadium and Kissena Parks velodrome. I firmly believe that at least one of our kids will represent this country in the Olympics, but our primary goal is to make our parks worlds of play for all children. Perhaps one day, kids won't ask each other which video game they are playing this afternoon, but ask instead what park they are going to.

Written by Hannah Gersen

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
The only good government is city government.

Christopher Osgood, 2004
(Born in 1976, Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence)

Winterization begins on Labor Day, while the pools are still open and arein theoryfilled with people. Although the rain and overcast skies kept our pools quiet this Labor Day, our staff was still busy. Pool filter plant operators spent most of the day filling out an end-of-the-summer survey, dispatched by Five Boro Operations. The survey, distributed annually, asks filter plant operators to inspect carefully the pools one last time, checking for leaks, listening to the pumps, and making sure that the water is flowing correctly. Any problems in the pools operations must be reported on the end-of-the-summer survey, so that maintenance crews can address them in the winter months.

When the surveys were complete, maintenance crews began readying themselves for the next phase of winterization: drainage. Every pool in New York must emptied at soon the pools close, and, as you might have guessed, draining a pool is not as simple as pulling a plug in a bathtub. To ensure that every pool was ready for the big event, Five Boro plumbers and engineers spent their Labor Day visiting pools around the city and teaching every pools operators how the pool should be emptied. Plumbers and engineers explained in detail how to shut the pools motors off, how to close the main water feed valve and how to open the drains to let the water flow out. At 7:01 p.m.the official end of the pool seasonfilter plant operators all over New York put their new knowledge to good use and emptied the pools.

On Tuesday, September 2, the same group of Five Boro plumbers and engineers re-visited the pool to make sure that drainage was a success. They also removed the motors and cholirination pumps from underneath the pools and mini-pools in order to take them back to Randalls Island for re-conditioning. The removal of the motors also ensure that all the water is drained from the pipes in the pools drainage system. Artie Rollins, Chief of Technical Services, described the process this way: "When we pull the motors, about 90% of the water is bled out of the pipes. We get rid of any remaining water by draining small bleed valves in the piping."

Once the pumps and motors are brought back to Five-Boro, the real work of winterization begins. All the chlorination pumps are rebuilt and the motors repaired. The Five Boro staff also begins working on their annual pool maintenance/reconstruction project. This is a massive maintenance project and requires about one million dollars of capital funding. Five Boro maintenance staff give every pool a thorough tune-up, repairing piping, water lines, gauges, valves, and motors that were too large to remove over Labor Day weekend. Broken motors and deteriorated pipes are replaced completely. Finally, pool tubs are repaired and repainted. When their work is completed, the pools look as fresh and new as they did when they were first built, which, in the case of some pools, was over 65 years ago! If good maintenance is the key to longevity, it looks like our pools are going to last well into their golden years.

"All systems go. Everything is A-OK."

(1922-1980)

Parks & Recreation also featured the first of nearly 170 electric vehicles and carts that are being donated this year by three different manufacturers. Through the support of Toyota and the coordination of Jaycie Chitwood-Mason, Parks has received ten electric RAV 4 utility vehicles, all outfitted with global positioning systems (GPS) thanks to a pilot project with Vetronix. Toyota also donated two clean-air Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric vehicles to Parks & Recreation.

Through their Pathways program, General Motors is donating 72 electric carts to Parks for use citywide the next two summers. Rich Donavan and Charles Compagnini (shown above) of GM joined Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Chief of Operations Keith Kerman in introducing the first 25 carts at the show.

To round out the fleet, Barry Carr from Global Electric Motors (GEM) is working with Parks on a permanent donation of 79 utility electric carts. This donation will begin in June 2003. All told, over $700,000 worth of donated clean-air vehicles are coming Parks way this year and will help maintain and manage over 28,000 acres of city parkland.

As always, the fleet show was attended by a number of vendors currently doing business with Parks. These vendors include H. Barber & Sons, A&M Products, Chief Equipment, Empire Equipment Sales, E&T Plastics, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Grainger Industrial Supply, Hedco Equipment, John Deere, Malvese Equipment, Storr Tractor Trius, and Bruno GMC. Thanks to Dan Froehlich, Deputy Chief of Operations, for coordinating this years show and our donation program.

"I share no mans opinions; I have my own."

(1818-1883)

The following individuals were awarded Employee of the Month for April on May 22, 2003. The other awardees will be listed next week.

The Commissioners Employee of the Month is Philip S. McAuliffe. Scott is a Principal Park Supervisor and has been with Parks & Recreation since July 9, 1984. He oversees Manhattan Garage and supervises the busy and high profile Randalls and Wards Islands, including the ballfields, tennis center, and special events. For many months, Scott and his team have been preparing for the arrival of Cirque du Soleil, which began this April and will run for two months. Scott has coordinated the complex logistics and site work to bring this world class entertainment to Parks. His staff cleared the site, graded, and created access routes for traffic. He coordinated with contractors, TBTA, DEP, New York Waterway, MTA, FDNY, and other agencies to prepare the venue on a very tight schedule. Scott achieved all this while also getting the ballfields ready for the season and completing his myriad other assignments. A key resource and contributor on Randalls Island and boro-wide, Scott pulled off his own circus balancing act and helped make this event a huge success. He was nominated by Deputy Commissioner Kavanagh and Randalls Island Administrator Aimee Boden.

George Adeyemi is the Beyond the Call Award Winner. George is a seasonal PEP officer in Manhattan and has been with Parks since June 1, 2002. On May 11 Officer Adeyemi helped apprehend a dangerous criminal. At the Pier 40 staircase at 5 a.m., George encountered a young male bleeding profusely from the head. The victims sister informed George that the perpetrator was nearby fighting with their friends. George went to the scene and chased the man who seemingly escaped. George then moved to cut off the exit route to the pier. Sure enough, a car soon tried to get out but George blocked the vehicles access. The perpetrator got out of the car and ran back to the parking lot. Officer Adeyemi chased him and was joined by NYPD officers who were nearby. At the lower level of Pier 40, the perpetrator was finally caught and arrested by NYPD. Georges quick actions and brave conduct led to this arrest and helped safeguard our parks. Officer Adeyemi was nominated by Deputy Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey.

Han S. Lee is the Capital Projects Employee of the Month. Han is a Construction Project Manager in Queens and has been with Parks & Recreation since February 17, 1997. A graduate of Cooper Union Engineering School, Han monitors a wide variety of Parks contracts and helps ensure that contractors follow specifications accurately. His contracts have run the gamut, including skate parks, comfort stations, soccer fields, and playgrounds. He is currently spearheading the Ederle Comfort Station and Pavilion, and the Flushing Meadow Corona Park soccer fields. Highly motivated and skilled, Han is serious about his work and detailed in his approach. He is in every way a team player. Han was nominated by Queens Team Leader Angelyn Chandler.

Emmanuel Nwokelo is the Capital Projects Employee of the Month for March. (Not included in last months list). Emmanuel is a Construction Project Manager and has been with Parks & Recreation since February 1, 1993. Emmanuel is leading the way toward a more effective and productive Bronx Team. He has spearheaded the development of computer applications to automate the process of creating and storing the vast array of documents required for supervision of construction projects. One notable result is a program written in Visual Basic, which Emmanuel recently demonstrated throughout Capital and to MIS staff. The program was so well-received that Emmanuel is expected to help make the program universally used at Capital Projects. Creative and dedicated, Emmanuel is a graduate of City College of New York with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Monroe College. Emmanuel was nominated by Bronx Team Leader Ray Gomez.

Melody Rodriguez, Assistant to Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey, and her husband, Raymond Cruz are the happy parents of a boy, Raymond Christian Cruz. Raymond was born on Tuesday, May 27^th at 3:30 a.m. We wish the whole family all the best.

"Variety is the soul of pleasure."

(1640-1968)

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, graciously attended the event and was joined by Consul General Sir Thomas Harris, Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol Commissioner Marjorie Tiven, and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

"The British have a rich tradition of horticulture," said Commissioner Benepe. "I look forward to the day when this concrete plaza is replaced by a harmoniously designed garden."

The garden is intended as a living memorial and as a place of solitude, comfort, and reflection. It will serve as a focal point for the British nationals who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center, as well as the many thousands of British servicemen and others who gave their lives alongside their American comrades in the wars against tyranny and oppression.

Now that the Yanks and Mets have successfully begun a new season, its time for Parkies to ready their own teams for Parks Softball. In its ninth year, the Parks League has been dominated in the last three by a Manhattan club with dynastic ambitions. Once dominant Bronx and Brooklyn will be looking to regain their lost championship forms, while the citywide divisions of the Arsenals, UPS and Capital, will be striving toward their first league victories.

As usual, competition will begin in the first week of June. All games are at 6 p.mp sharp, Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, at field 6 or field 20, Randalls Island. The season schedule will be ready on May 19.

All interested boroughs and divisions should e-mail Keith Kerman by May 9 to enter a team. The league is co-ed, slow pitch and open to all full time and active seasonal employees. Thanks and see you there.

Past Champions: 1995-Brooklyn, 1996-Brooklyn, 1997- Bronx, 1998-Manhattan, 1999-Bronx, 2000-Manhattan, 2001-Manhattan, 2002-Manhattan.

"Oh for a book and a shady nook, either in door or out."

(d. 1889)

Congratulations, Parkies! The past eight years have been busy ones. Read on for a review of the agencys top accomplishments. They are your achievements.

1. Improved Citywide park overall condition and cleanliness ratings from 38% and 74% in 1994 to 86% and 94% in 2001, while using a more rigorous inspection system that conducted over 3,400 park inspections in FY01, up from fewer than 500 inspections in FY94.
2. Invested over $1 billion in capital improvements to Parks infrastructure. Increased annual capital construction from $50 million in FY 94 to $250 million in FY 01.
3. Used requirements contracts to complete small replacement and repair projects at over 1,250 sites citywide.
4. Acquired over 2000 acres of new parkland, the largest increase in City parkland since the Wagner Administration.
5. Applied for and received over $110 million in grants for natural area restoration, and used those funds to restore 2200 acres of forest and wetlands.
6. Increased the database of park volunteers from 500 to 65,000 though the Partnerships for Parks program, which received the Innovations in American Government Award for 2001.
7. Partnerships coordinators attended over 3,700 meetings with community groups to discuss problems and future projects. To cover minor expenses, Partnerships provided neighborhood groups with $431,912 in small grants.
8. Created 2001 greenstreets, converting asphalt traffic triangles and medians into pocket parks and tree-lined malls.
9. Solicited community stewards to be responsible for greenstreets and street trees, providing maintenance workshops and gardening tools. By October 31 of 2001, 166 Stewardship groups were caring for 211 Greenstreets and 2,900 street trees.
10. Increased the number of annual recreation center visits by 90%, from 1.5 million in 1994 to a projected 3.1 million in 2001.
11. Opened Computer Resource Centers at 19 Recreation Centers to provide computer access, technology classes, and office skills training.
12. Worked co-operatively with public/private partnerships such as the Central Park Conservancy, the Randalls Island Sports Foundation, and the City Parks Foundation to build support for New York City parks.
13. Received nearly $100 million in additional capital investment through projects funded by these partnerships, by concessionaires operating on parkland, and by organizations hosting events in parks.
14. Drafted and installed 2001 historical signs that document the history of each park and highlight the important natural and physical features of that park.
15. Launched www.nyc.gov/parks, which receives over 250,000 page views per month. Posted hundreds of pages of park information on-line, as well as video messages from the Commissioner. Sent thousands of messages to Parks "newsgroups" subscribers, providing information on special events, capital projects, and recent press stories.
16. Published the Daily Plant and the Parks Gazette, daily records of what is going on at Parks.
17. Reduced Citywide fleet out-of-service rates by 65% using managed competition, while reducing costs by 16%, or $1.27 million. Maintained the oldest City agency fleet, averaging 7.2 years per vehicle, while also achieving the lowest out of service rate at 5.5%.
18. Planted more than 100,000 street trees citywide. Conducted the Citys first street tree census in 1995.
19. Developed a street tree block-pruning program that has cut the pruning cycle by more than two-thirds. Whereas trees used to be pruned once every 30 years, each tree is now pruned once in every eight years.
20. Reduced the thirty-day dead tree backlog from over 9000 to zero, guaranteeing that any tree inspected and confirmed to be dead would be removed within 30 days.
21. Recovered over $1.5 million in restitution for damages to City trees.
22. Managed as many as 6,000 Work Experience Program participants and found for them over 1,800 full-time jobs, 90% of which are in the private sector.
23. Implemented a citywide Customer-Service initiative, by phone, mail, and Internet.
24. Developed scores of miles of new greenways citywide, including paths along the Hudson and Bronx Rivers.
25. Opened the Parks Library in 1999, a free public library that contains many primary and secondary sources on the history of New York City and its parks.