"It was a dream of mine as Manhattan Borough Commissioner to reopen this field to the community," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "One of the best ways the City can help fight obesity is by creating beautiful parks and facilities that communities will be inspired to use." Without capital funding, however, reopening the field was impossible.

Thanks to the generous allocation of $1,120,000 from City Council Member Phillip Reed, and an additional $300,000 allocated by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Parks & Recreation removed the boulders and constructed a brand-new artificial turf field and track in their place. Yesterday, Council Member Phillip Reed, Community Board 11 Chair David E. Givens, Manhattan Borough President Office representative Carlos Rodriguez, MetroStars Forward John Wolyniec, City Parks Foundation Executive Director David Rivel and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined young local athletes, community leaders, and residents to celebrate the completion of the new facilities. The new space features a blue rubber track, a modern artificial turf soccer field, reconstructed iron picket fencing and landscaped areas, a newly-installed drainage and water system, and new gates.

"We have to protect our parks," said Council Member Reed. Looking around, he said "we see that we have a very good thing." Reed, who himself played soccer growing up, was hopeful that the new field would create an influx of new children interested in soccer and other field sports.

Also during the festivities, MetroStars forward John Wolyniec gave away autographed soccer balls and playing cards to young soccer hopefuls in attendance, including students and athletes from the Technical Institute of Multicultural Education (P.S. 117), the Jacques Cartier School, the Club Deportivo El Barrio, and the Choir Academy.

"I grew up in Staten Island and played on a lot of Parks & Recreation fields," said Wolyniec. "I would have loved to play on a field like this when I was growing up."

Work on the project began in January 2003. The project was designed by Parks & Recreation landscape architects Shirley Kindler-Penzi and Andrew Penzi and work was overseen by Ahamad Baksh and Vincent Macluso. Construction was performed by D. Gangi Contracting Corporation.

By the end of next year, five new artificial turf fields will have been completed in Harlem. Artificial turf fields, once considered uncomfortable and unsightly, are now being used increasingly in parks thanks to technological advances made in the material. The first artificial turf field used by Parks & Recreation was a carpet-style field in Manhattans Chelsea Park; the second was in Riverside Park. Recent parks to receive similar artificial turf fields include the Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn and East River Park in Manhattan.

Now, for the first time, children playing on this parks new brand artificial turf field will be able to enjoy a game of soccer without creating the huge amount of dust that once disturbed neighboring residents. City Parks Foundation, in its ongoing role of creating quality programs in New York City parks, will be among those to utilize the new track at Thomas Jefferson Park for CityParks Track & Field program. This free instructional program for young New Yorkers, now in its third year, will benefit from ING's new ING Run for Something Better, which will support the program.

Sitting next to a big dirt field, everyone gathered was imagining what the area will look like early next year. What was an asphalt ballfield is to be converted into a new multipurpose turf field, designed by Parks & Recreations Allan Scholl. Some of the fields future patrons, children from the West Side Little League, joined in the festivities.

"With the installation of this field, this playground will become an even greater resource for the communitythese fields are more durable than regular fields and can support constant play," said Commissioner Benepe. "We are lucky to live in a city where the Mayor and City Council value open space and public recreation. Because of their generous support of parkseven in tough economic timesweve been able to transform windy dust bowls into green, lush, state of the art fields."

Artificial turf fields, once considered uncomfortable and unsightly, are now being used increasingly in parks thanks to the revolutionary technological advances made in the material. The first artificial turf field used by Parks & Recreation was a carpet-style field in Manhattans Chelsea Park and the second was in Riverside Park. Recent parks to receive similar artificial turf fields include the Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn and East River Park in Manhattan.

The playgrounds namesake, Frederick Douglass was born in 1817 in Tuckahoe, Maryland. The son of a slave named Harriet Bailey, Frederick spent his early years on Aaron Anthonys plantation. Following his masters death, Frederick was sent to Anthonys son-in-law Hugh Auld, who lived in Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, Frederick was introduced to reading and writing by other slaves. Although literacy among slaves was illegal, Frederick developed a passion for the written word and educated himself by reading abolitionist literature. In 1834, Auld sold Frederick to a rural farmer in Talbot County, Maryland, who was a notorious "slave-breaker." After four years of abuse and one unsuccessful escape attempt, Frederick managed to run away to New York City during 1838. Frederick viewed his escape as a rebirth and so changed his last name from Bailey to Douglass.

In 1838, Douglass married Anna Murray and the couple settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he became involved in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Within the congregation, Douglass preached abolitionism. In 1841, the renowned abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison witnessed Douglass deliver a riveting, heartfelt anti-slavery speech in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Garrison immediately enlisted Douglass as an abolitionist lecturer. By 1843 Douglass had become well known throughout the Northern United States for his fiery and credible oratory.

At Garrisons urging, Douglass wrote an autobiography entitled Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass that was published in 1845. The publication proved to be a mixed blessing. Douglass continued to use writing as a way of spreading abolitionist messages. In 1847, he served as publisher for the abolitionist periodical North Star. Eight years later, he completed his second biography entitled My Bondage and My Freedom. During the 1850s, Douglass supported John Browns raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and backed Abraham Lincolns presidential bid. In 1872 he moved to Washington, D.C. Douglass completed his final work, The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass in 1892 and died in 1895.

"Ive taken my fun where Ive found it."

(1865-1936)

"This is just one of dozens of field makeovers the Mayor and City Council have funded in the past year all over the city," said Commissioner Benepe. "Weve been busy transforming windy dustbowls into green, lush, state-of-the art fields for young athletes to play on year-round. We owe it to our youth to give them a place to get in shape."

Artificial turf fields are now being used increasingly in parks thanks to the revolutionary technological advances made in the material. In addition to being softer and gentler on players knees and ankles, they also allow for year-round play (as opposed to grass fields, which need to be off-limits to protect the grass). Additionally, while initial cost of installing an artificial turf field is more than installing a grass one, the annual maintenance costs of the artificial turf is virtually nothing. The first artificial turf field used by Parks & Recreation was a carpet-style field in Manhattans Chelsea Park and the second was in Riverside Park. Recent parks to receive similar artificial turf fields include Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn and East River Park in Manhattan. And considering that these new fields have a guaranteed life span of at least 10 years, its not surprising to hear that more are on the way.

This latest project also reflected the efficiency of Parks & Recreations Capital Projects division. Originally scheduled for a much longer work schedule, the work began in March of this year and was finished in Julya mere three months later. All of the workwhich included the creation of new drainage, the installation of the base and field turf, the creation of a long jump area, and the addition of painted lines, new goal posts, and fencingnow makes Brennan Field a shining example for future fields. "This is one of the most beautiful and best-equipped parks in the city" said Benepe.

One football coach from the Christ the King school remarked that the fields are amazing for playing. Starting next year, Brennan field will become the home turf for its players. And during the festivities, kids of all agesincluding Commissioner Benepe and Council Member Gallagher tossed footballs and kicked soccer balls to demonstrate the fields playability.

In the early 1930s the City of New York acquired the area that is now Juniper Valley Park to settle a $225,000 claim in back taxes against the estate of the infamous Arnold Rothstein (1882-1928), who had been accused of fixing the 1919 World Series. The bog was mined to provide landscaping material for parks and parkways. From 1941 to 1942, squads of Works Progress Administration workers transformed the barren land into one of Queens most beloved parks.

We mourn the passing of Harold Tier on August 7, 2003. Harold was assigned as a Supervisor for Parks Management and Operations for the Staten Island Greenbelt. This position matched his interest in nature with his background as a former high school science teacher. He was very dedicated to his work. He is survived by a son and a daughter. For those that worked with Harold, we all are saddened by his loss.

A former Parks & Recreation employee, Morris L. Weissbrot, recently passed away on July 5, 2003. He worked with Parks & Recreation from 1961 to 1986, when he retired. He began his career as a Recreation Director at Vleigh Playground in Queens and eventually became Queens Chief of Recreation. On his free time, Weissbrot was the "voice of weightlifting," serving as the announcer for competitions up and down the East Coast. He is survived by his wife, Gail Gagne, sons Eric and Laurence, daughter Binnie, and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Lost Battalion Hall on Monday, August 25 at 8 p.m.

"A stone, a leaf, an unfound door."

(1900-1938)

"This is the future of soccer fields," declared Commissioner Benepe. "It plays like real grass, and it feels like real grass." Indeed, artificial turf fields, once considered uncomfortable and unsightly, are now being used increasingly in parks thanks to the revolutionary technological advances made in the material. The first artificial turf field used by Parks & Recreation was a carpet-style field in Manhattans Chelsea Park and the second was in Riverside Park. Recent parks to receive similar artificial turf fields include the Fort Hamilton Athletic Field in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and East River Park in Manhattan.

"We dont want to build a field that would be torn up weeks or months later," said Council Member Oddo. "This is not your fathers astroturf. This is state of the art." To prove his dedication to the new materials, Council Member Oddo also announced a plan to allocate an additional $2.5 million towards construction of artificial turf fields in nearby Bath Beach Park.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was also thrilled with the completed project. "Im honored that your enthusiasm and dedication to make this possible for generations to enjoy. This park is open to all, and its utilized by all," he said.

Dyker Beach Park was assembled from eight pieces of land over the course of forty years. In 1895, the City of Brooklyn purchased the first parcel from the Dyker Meadow Land Improvement Company for a park. The landscape architecture firm of Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot planned a 50-acre saltwater lagoon, childrens playgrounds, bathhouses, lawns, and drives along the shore. The 1896 Annual Report of the Brooklyn Parks Department claimed that Dyker would be the "finest seaside park in the world."

"Everything has an end."

On May 27, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) allocated $25 million for over a dozen high-impact projects to create new green spaces and improve parks throughout Lower Manhattan. Joined by Interim LMDC President Kevin Rampe, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Administration Patricia Harris and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, the Mayor announced the news at the Battery, a site whose plans for renovation are already underway. The Mayor also revealed Parks & Recreations preliminary renovation plans for the new and improved green spaces throughout downtown Manhattan.

"Great cities are defined as much by their parks and open spaces as they are by their architecture," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The plans proposed by the Department of Parks & Recreation create a beautiful and dynamic network of parks and open spaces that will become a worldwide destination and tangible symbol of the rebirth of the downtown area."

Working with various city agencies and LMDC staff, Parks & Recreation has formulated an aggressive timetable for creating parks and revitalizing existing open spaces throughout Lower Manhattan. Work will begin immediately on at least 13 sites, 8 of which will be substantially completed within 12 months; 4 others will be completed within 18 months; and the final project will be completed within 24 months. Sites include green spaces along the East RiverCoenties Slip, Old Slip, and Wall Street Triangle; neighborhood parksAl Smith Playground, Brooklyn Bridge/Drumgoole Plaza, Tribeca Park, Washington Market Park; and "gateway" parksthe Bosque at the Battery, Bowling Green Park, Columbus Park, Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the East River Park Ballfields, and Canal, Varick & Laight Streets.

The projects focus on reconstructing sitting areas, public plazas and playgrounds south of Canal Street. Through coordination with the Department of Transportation, the plan takes advantage of opportunities within the downtown street network to create new public spaces such as greenstreets and enhanced pedestrian corridors. Every site will also be rejuvenated with new horticultural elements as well as new benches, lighting and decorative paving. Two of the sites, Canal Street and Battery Park, may also include decorative fountains once design plans are finalized.

The project will also restore critical "gateway" parks up to Houston Street. These regional parks contain the athletic fields and wide-open green spaces that serve downtown residents and schools. At these locations, Parks & Recreation will rebuild and re-program existing athletic fields in order to maximize recreational opportunities. At Sara D. Roosevelt and Columbus Parks, asphalt will be replaced with the latest technology in synthetic turf, creating a vastly improved playing surface. At East River Park, four existing dirt ballfields at Houston Street will be reconstructed with either synthetic turf or natural grass.

"Lower Manhattan is where New York City was born but it historically did not share in the growth of the park system," said Commissioner Benepe. "Repairing and enhancing these open spaces, as well as creating new parks, is critical to the future of the downtown area. Our plans will infuse downtown with green space that will serve as an oasis for workers, tourists, and the growing residential community."

This project is being overseen by Deputy Commissioner Amy Freitag, Nancy Barthold, Joshua Laird, Mike Bolger, and Jesse Brackenbury.

"An artist is his own fault."

(1905-1970)

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

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's Parks & Recreation mini quiz. Below are the answers with brief explanations.

1. (C) - According to Parks & Recreation's Planning Division, the agency has a total of 1,726 parcels or parks and playgrounds.
2. (C) - The Historic House Trust preserves and promotes 22 historic houses, however only 20 of these houses are open to the public.
3. (D) - Seward Park, the nation's first municipally built playground, opened on October 17, 1903. The city acquired the land for Seward Park by condemnation in 1897. In addition to the state-of-the-art playground, the 1903 plan featured a large track with an open play area and a farm garden for children.
4. (D) - Each summer, 1.4 million gallons of water are used to fill Astoria Pool in Astoria Park, Queens.
5. (C) - Starburst Jelly Beans is the lead sponsor of Central Park's 57th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 19. Newmark Real Estate was the main sponsor of the Great Halloween Party in the fall while Hormel Deli was the lead sponsor of Parks & Recreation's Winter Festival 2003.
6. (A) - Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse - "Little Red Lighthouse" is the only lighthouse under the jurisdiction of Parks & Recreation. "Little Red" became Parks property in 1951. The lighthouse was originally erected in Sandy Hook, NJ in 1880, and was moved to its present location in 1921. The lighthouse improved navigation on the Hudson until it was officially decommissioned in 1947. The Coast Guard intended to destroy the lighthouse until Parks & Recreation took over the historic structure.
7. (A) - The total acreage to date of City parkland is 28,634 acres.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Flowers are lovely; love is flower-lie;
Friendship is a sheltering tree."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge
(1772-1834) ]]> 2009-11-21T22:32:51-05:00 dailyplant15234 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/daily_plants/daily_plant_main.php?id=15234

Mayor Bloomberg, standing among the intricate harbor seal sculptures, told the crowd, "Reclaiming New York City's 578 miles of waterfront is one of my Administration's top priorities. This project is another important step in opening our waterfront for greater public use and enjoyment." Mayor Bloomberg continued, "East River Park is used by thousands of people - young and old - and its location on the Lower East Side makes it easily accessible to all New Yorkers." Professional Athletes from the NY/NJ Metro Stars and the Long Island Lizards as well as Council Members Alan Gersen and Margarita Lopez, and former Community Board 3 Chair Anne Johnson were among those groups who joined the festivities.

East River Park, developed by Robert Moses in the 1930s, is the largest park south of 59th Street in Manhattan, and on December 10, 2001, East River Park was renamed in honor of John V. Lindsay (1921-2000), the 103rd Mayor of New York City. The renovation of John V. Lindsay East River Park, which began in August 2001, was constructed with $6.84 million in mayoral capital funds. Parks installed an artificial multi-use turf field for football and soccer. Athletes of all ages will be able to play on two new artificial turf softball fields. Younger athletes can now hone their juggling skills on the new practice soccer field. As the weather gets warmer, toddlers will romp in the tot-play water area complete with harbor seals spray showers. The renovations also include new gardens, walking paths and pedestrian seating. New asphalt volleyball courts and asphalt basketball courts will soon open to the public.

East River Park has received numerous renovations through the years. Most recently, in December of 2001, Parks worked with an ABC television show, "Challenge America" to revitalize the amphitheater as well as one of its soccer fields.

Parks Designer George Vellonakis, Parks Project Manager Lawrence Mauro, Parks Resident Engineer Hassan Mehrpour, M.K.W. & Associates, O'Brien-Kreitzberg Inc. and D. Gangi Contracting Corporation all worked hard to make the reconstruction of John V. Lindsay East River Park possible. Special thanks to Lower Manhattan Together and the Lower Eastside Ecology Center who have been longtime supporters of the revitalization of East River Park.

After the ceremony, Parks Commissioner Benepe got to spend a few moments shooting goals with the students of P.S. 142. "I am grateful for the Mayor's support for this valuable project that will benefit so many New Yorkers," Commissioner Benepe said. "The new fields, picnic areas, gardens and playgrounds will bring new life to the entire southern end of the park."

Bronx

Crotona Park- Crotona Park East and Charlotte St.
Orchard Beach- North and South Lawn
Pelham Bay Park- Bruckner Blvd. and Wilkinson Ave.
Van Cortlandt Park- Allen Shandler Recreation Area, Jerome Ave., south of East 233rd St.
Brooklyn
Manhattan Beach- Northeast of Promenade, Oriental Blvd and Hastings St.
Prospect Park
Surrounding picnic house (Park West and 5th St., east side of Park Dr.)
South of Bandshell, off 9th St.
Nethermead Area, South Lawn at Wollman Rink

Manhattan
East River Park- East 10th St. and FDR Dr.
Highbridge Park- 177th and Amsterdam Ave.
Inwood Hill Park- Dyckman Field at Hudson River and Dyckman St.
Riverside Park- West 145th St. and Riverside Dr.
St. Nicholas Park- St. Nicholas Terrace at St. Nicholas Avenue and West 128th Street
Wards Island- East River and Hell Gate

Queens
Alley Athletic Field- Union Turnpike and Winchester Blvd.
Alley Pond Park- Winchester Blvd. and Grand Central Pkwy.
Brookville Park- Brookville Blvd. and South Conduit Ave.
Cunningham Park- Union Turnpike and Francis Lewis Blvd.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park- off Lake West and off Lake
East Forest Park- Woodhaven Blvd. and Forest Park Dr.
Springfield Playground- 147th Ave. and Springfield Blvd.

Staten Island
Cloves Lake Park- Clove Rd. and Victory Blvd.
Willowbrook Park- Richmond Ave. and Eaton Place.
Wolfe's Pond Park- Cornelia Ave. and Luten Ave.
Midland Beach- Midland Ave. and Lincoln Ave.

PARKS FACTS

Ever wonder what the largest park in New York City is? Think its Central Park? Guess again. Below is the list of the 10 largest parks in New York City.

1. Pelham Bay Park, Bronx 2,765 acres
2. Greenbelt, Staten Island 1,778 acres
3. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens 1,255 acres
4. Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 1,146 acres
5. Central Park, Manhattan 843 acres
6. Freshkills Park, Staten Island 813 acres
7. Marine Park, Brooklyn 798 acres
8. Bronx Park, Bronx 718 acres
9. Alley Pond Park, Queens 655 acres
10. Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, Staten Island 638 acres

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT

(Thursday, September 7, 1989)

The summer of 36 was so hot that Parks built 10 new public swimming pools before it was over.. A half century later, the City has begun to rebuild one of the biggest, the 100-by-246-foot Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem.

Parks broke ground for the $9 million reconstruction of the facility, located at 113th Street and First Avenue, on Thursday, August 31. Originally dedicated on June 25, 1936 by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Thomas Jefferson Pool was the second of the new swimming pools constructed by the Parks Department that summer with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds.

"Let us then suppose the Mind to be, as we say, white Paper,
void of all Characters, without any Ideas; How comes it to be furnished...?
To this I answer, in one word, From Experience:
In that, all our Knowledge
is founded; and from that it ultimately derives it self."

John Locke
(August 29, 16321704)

The event took place just nine days after the World Cup championships so the enthusiasm for soccer was high. The Eastern New York Soccer Association played a key role in obtaining the grants from the United States Soccer Foundation by appealing to organization on behalf of FMCP and Parks. The U.S. Soccer Foundation aims to enhance, assist, and grow the sport of soccer in the United States.

There are six soccer fields in FMCO and three new ones to begin construction this fall. Over 2,000 kids with World Cup dreams will benefit from the new fields and the $91,000 which will be used for soccer programming. Park officials will look at the needs of FMCP soccer and determine exactly where the funds should be distributed.

Commissioner Benepe said "Soccer is a great way to stay healthy and fit. We believe that the healthy behaviors we teach our children will have a tremendous impact on their adult lives." About 30 children from the MetroKids Soccer League in there bright red uniforms posed for pictures before they took off onto the field, dribbling the ball and passing it back and forth. Even on a hot and humid day, the kids had lots of energy, demonstrating the positive effects of sports such as soccer. Park patrons can play a host of other sports in the Queens park, including tennis, volleyball, and basketball, all overseen by Miguel Cueller, the Sports Coordinator of FMCP.

Shortly after taking office, Mayor Bloomberg announced his support for plans creating a greenway ringing the 36-mile perimeter of Manhattan. Ultimately, Parks goal is to reclaim the citys waterfront for public use to develop 350 miles of greenways free from vehicular traffic to walk, run, skate, bike, or just sit and enjoy the view across all five boroughs. Senator Charles Schumer recently pledged funds to finance projects that will bridge a critical gap in Lower Manhattan, a space stretching from East River Park along FDR Drive around the tip of the island to The Battery. The greenway project in Manhattan is moving closer to completion by the day.

Now the Bronx is reaching for the same goal. At a press conference held by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin Crotty on July 12, Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined State Senator Pedro Espada and representatives from the New York State Department of Transportation, the Bronx River Alliance, and the Trust For Public Land to announce the acquisition of a small strip of land adjacent to Soundview Park in the Bronx. Although it might not look like much in terms of acreage, the land represents another step that the City, State, and Bronx River Alliance partners have taken toward their goal of completing the Bronx River Greenway.

The Greenway is currently seven miles long, stretching from the City's border with Westchester County to Soundview Park. Another eight miles of greenway stretches from Soundview Park to Ferry Point Park. Parks is currently working on a 4-mile portion of the Hutchinson River Greenway using funds obtained through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) which will connect these paths to the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway at Pelham Parkway, creating a direct connection from this park to the citys largest, Pelham Bay Park. This project will create a consistent loop of greenway reaching from Ferry Point Park to Pelham Bay an outstanding improvement on existent waterfront greenspace.

"With silent lips. Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

(July 22, 18491887)

Ellen Macnow is the Commissioners Employee of the Month for June. Ellen joined Parks on June 9, 1997 with the Planning Division after earning a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from Cornell University in 1996. Currently she is Plannings Senior Project Manager and is responsible for coordinating all of our greenway projects. Most recently, Ellen, along with Waterways & Trailways, produced the High Bridge Symposium which presented a vision for restoring the 1847 High Bridge, the oldest river span in the City. Ellen is Plannings Project Manager for the Development of the Hudson River Trail Greenway Master Plan, a project that has involved intricate coordination with local community groups in two boroughs. She is also Project Manager for the Putnam Greenway, Harlem River Park, Regatta Park and the Soundview and Laurelton Greenways master plans, and represents Parks on the Mayors Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. For her dedication to keeping Parks future green and bright, Ellen was nominated by Chief of Planning Joshua Laird.

Darlene Mitchell is the Bronxs Employee of the Month for June. Darlene joined Parks on May 14, 1999 and currently works as an After School Program Coordinator at St. James Recreation Center. After the school bells ring, Darlene keeps the learning going for an average of 50 children a day. Her educational and fun activities include computer workshops, one-to-one tutoring, drama classes, arts & crafts, and cooking. The St. James program was 1 of 2 chosen to receive funding from Derek Jeters "Turn 2" Foundation. An organized and hardworking friend to youth, Darlenes efforts have helped St. James rate as one of Parks six "Model" recreation centers in OMP inspections. She was nominated by St. James Center Manager Kim McNeal.

Lauren V. Sullivan is Brooklyns Employee of the Month for June. Lauren joined Parks on January 3, 2001 as the Partnerships for Parks Volunteer Coordinator in Brooklyn. Lauren coordinated the parks support efforts of over 300 volunteers and nearly 100 high devotion parks groups in northern and western Brooklyn. Last year, she helped mold a group of diverse and motivated parks goers in District 6 into a new Friends of Coffey Park group. Lauren also works closely with the President of the Lefferts Place Civic Association to establish regular clean-ups and events in Crispus Attucks Park. Her efforts to involve the community in the park encouraged a local Council Member to devote $100,000 in FY02 to the renovation of the parkhouse. Lauren was nominated by Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel.

Patrick Woods is Capital Projects Employee of the Month for June. A government veteran, Patrick joined Parks on November 17, 1993 after having worked at Housing Preservation Development (HPD), the Department of Buildings (DOB), and the Board of Education. Patrick started as a project resident in Manhattan Construction where he worked on a number of high profile projects including Foley Square, Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, and the East River Park prototype comfort station. In July 2001 Patrick was named Deputy Director of Consultant Project Management for Construction. Currently, with a staff of 8 construction project managers, Patrick oversees approximately 60 consultant supervised projects with a total value of $65 million. Devoted to building a better city through better parks, Patrick was nominated by Chief Engineer John Natoli and Deputy Chief of Construction Administration and Support Pat Lombardi.

Muhammad Nadeem is Citywide Services Employee of the Month for June. Muhammad joined Parks on January 22, 2001 as Citywide Signs coordinator. Muhammad coordinates nearly 20,000 sign orders per year. He has played a key role in many initiatives including replacing wood routed signs with plastic, developing new signs like the consolidated park and playground signs, and making additional use of vendors. Muhammad also maintains Parks digital catalogue of signs and the signs database. Muhammad will now be testing his proven skills in customer service, vendor coordination, and organization in a new area: he will help coordinate operations at the 5-Boro repair garage. Reliable and talented, Muhammad has been a terrific new asset to 5-Boro. He was nominated by Chief of Operations Keith Kerman and Deputy Chief Dan Froehlich.

(Monday, July 17, 1989)

Dont let the popularity of "Batman" fool you. Many humans go batty when they come near the mysterious, nocturnal mammals. Bats are feared and loathed as blood sucking, rat-like rabies carriers to be exterminated on sight.

Parkies at Van Cortlandt and Pelham Bay Park are doing their share to upgrade the bats image. Wildlife Management Specialist David Kunstler, with the help of nature enthusiasts Joseph Butera and John Rubino, have erected bat boxes to serve as houses for bats in both Bronx parkstwo in Van Cortlandt and one in Pelham Bay Park.

"I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for moneys sake."

(July 8, 18391937),

Hershey Track & Field- Saturday, June 8
Place: AstoriaTrack in Queens (35-30 35^th Street, Astoria)
Time: Registration at 9:00 a.m., Meet begins at 10:00 a.m.
Boys and girls ages 9 through 14 can compete in several competitions, including the 100 Meter Dash, 4X100 Meter Relay, and the Standing Lomp Jump. For information call (212) 360-3313.

Arlene Grocery Three Farms Festival Saturday, June 8
Place: Bandshell at East River Park (East River at Cherry Street)
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Free admission: Arlene Grocery and the Lower East Side BID have teamed up to bring music and activities, including six bands and tons of Lower East Side vendors.

"PLANT PROFILE"

Eric Rothstein

Eric Rothstein is the Natural Resources Groups Ed Norton. Its not that they are substantially similar. Norton wears a pork pie hat and a raccoon cap; we have never seen Rothstein in a hat or cap of any kind. Rothstein received a BA and MA in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Cornell, respectively; we suspect that Norton never pursued higher education. Norton worked for DEP; Rothstein works for DPR. Rothstein does not do the Hucklebuck. But, they are both sewer spelunkers.

As a Water Resources Specialist for Natural Resources Group (NRG), Erics background in hydrology and hydrogeology the studies of surface water and ground water is frequently put to use assessing the potential affects, existing and proposed, of storm water on parks landscapes resulting from public works projects. As a project manager, Eric also contributes to the design and supervises the construction of wetland restoration projects. When a pipe or manhole of mysterious function or origin is uncovered during the planning or construction process, Eric is often the first and more often the only person to volunteer to check it out first hand.

He has exhibited unabashed joy prying open a manhole and descending 20 feet down a masonry-line shaft to determine if a storm line under a proposed wetland restoration in Forest Park is still active. And he has emerged with a broad smile after strolling a hundred yards into a four foot wide corrugated culvert under Central Parks Lasker Rink to ascertain whether if it has single or multiple sources. Intrepid tendencies aside, Erics engineering know-how has been a valuable asset to Parks. It has allowed him to review and revise plans for massive public works projects the Staten Island Bluebelt, LIE/Cross Island Parkway Interchange, Oakland Ravine/Ally Creek Drainage Improvement Project, and other -- and protect natural resources functions and values.