Bronx

Join the Urban Park Rangers this Sunday, January 15, as they celebrate the natural environment through creativity during Eco-Crafts at Pelham Bay Park. Make flowers from your own hand print, create sailboats out of paper, and explore other means of expression when you head to the Pelham Bay Nature Center at 1:00 p.m. for this free event.

Brooklyn

Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other African Americans who have made great contributions to society through a variety of cultural events and activities in Prospect Park. Learn about freedom quilts through live storytelling and a quilt-making workshop for children and adults at the Lefferts Historic House from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15. You can also listen to guest speakers from the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment (BCUE) and the Sierra Club as they explore the African-American experience, and enjoy performances by the Drummers Grove musicians at the Audubon Center. Visit http://www.prospectpark.org/ for a schedule of speakers and performances.

Manhattan

Learn to play like Pelwhen you take part in the Free Youth Soccer Clinic this Saturday, January 14, at the Chelsea Recreation Center. This free instruction will be offered every Saturday until June 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and is open to boys and girls ages 6 through 12. Clinics will focus on the basic fundamentals of the game with an emphasis on dribbling, passing, heading, defending, shooting, and goalkeeping. Head to the Chelsea Recreation Center at 430 West 25^th Street to kick-start the fun!

Queens

Bring your binoculars and field guides for a nice brisk walk around Alley Pond Park as you count and observe ducks of the North Shore this Saturday, January 14. Winter is the season to observe the largest variety of ducksand with birder Larry Plotnick as your guide, youre sure to learn a few things along the way. Head to the Alley Pond Environmental Center at 228-06 Northern Boulevard at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to
accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."

Helen Keller
(1880-1968)

"The POP job fairs allow the participants to focus on their job search, motivating them to continue to pursue many employment opportunities even after the event is over," said Chief of Parks Opportunity Program Jill Weber. "We loved the Chelsea Recreation Center venue and have gotten great feedback from the employers."

Several employers, including 1199 Union, Baruch College and Bath and Body Works, conducted interviews with participants on-site, a rare but exciting occasion at a first-round job fair.

Jill Weber, Deputy Commissioner for Management and Budget Robert Garafola, and Director of Employment Services Nora Ferguson were all in attendance. The event was a huge success thanks to the tireless efforts and preparations of POP participants and Chelsea Recreation Center Manager Micheal Cushing and staff.

Thursdays POP job fair was the first ever to take place at the Chelsea Recreation Center, and the location proved to be an accommodating and professional setting for the event. The job fair began at 9:15 a.m., when employers set up and enjoyed breakfast. Participants arrived shortly thereafter at 10:00 a.m. and met with potential employers until 2:00 p.m. Coffee and donuts were provided for all 600 JTPs.

Other participating companies included ETJSP; Able Health Care; Alliance For Health; Blockbuster Inc.; Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Business Link; Community Options; EarnFair; LLC, Elimont, Inc.; Healthfirst; Hope Home Care Inc.; Kinkos; Lifespire, Inc.; Lucky Star Employment Agency; Marshalls; Michael C. Fina; New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; New York Presbyterian Hospital; New York State Department of Civil Service; Patient Care; People Care, Inc.; Premier Home Health Care Services; Primary Security Services, Inc.; Progressive Home Health Services; PSCH, Inc.; Selfhelp Community Services; Sephora; the New York Public Library; the Port Authority of NY & NJ; the Welfare to Work Partnership; Time Warner Cable; US Army - Civilian Personnel Advisory Center; Fort Hamilton; and Harlem Childrens Zone, Inc.

Now in its tenth year, the Parks Opportunity Program serves as the nations largest transitional employment program. With over 3,000 trainees in New York Citys parks, playgrounds and recreation centers, POP employees acquire transferable skills in various fields, including maintenance, security, horticulture, and customer service. Trainees also receive employment services and career counseling in preparation for work in the private sector. The six-month training program is New York Citys premier program and has placed thousands of participants into full-time, permanent positions since its inception in 1994.

Written by Carli Smith

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

Aldous Huxley
(1894-1963)

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"I am becoming sick and tired about lying."

Walter ven der Vijver
Former CEO of Royal Dutch/Shell

Each mural contains approximately 175,000 hand-placed mosaic tessarae. Bisazza first manufactured these 10mm (3/8") glass mosaic tiles in Italy. After, the tiles were shipped to Bisazza North America in Miami, where proprietary computer software took marine life photographs taken by Japanese photographer Tsuneo Nakamura and swapped pixels for tiles. The tiles were then placed on the murals onto sheets measuring approximately one square-foot each. Starting this week, crews have carefully begun placing the mosaics onto the walls of the center.

"To see them in real life, under the pools skylights, theyre such wonderful, living colorful murals," said Parks & Recreation Director of Architecture Vincent J. Colangelo. "We appreciate all of the efforts made by the Italian Trade Commission and are looking forward to partnering with them on future projects."

The partnership between Bisazza and Parks & Recreation was established thanks to a fortuitous meeting in October 2002 between Parks & Recreations Art and Antiquities Director Jonathan Kuhn and the Italian Trade Commissions New York Office. The Italian Trade Commission (Istituto Nazionale per il Commercio Estero) is an Italian government agency that promotes and markets Italian products around the world. Thanks to the commissions assistance, the project was linked to manufacturer Bisazza, which created and generously donated the tiles to the City. Bisazzas previous major projects in New York City include a constellation mosaic at The Museum of Natural Historys Rose Center for Earth and Space and a tableau wall at The Trump World Tower at United Nations Plaza.

When it opens later this year, Parks & Recreations $17.5 million state-of-the-art recreational facility will span six floors and include a swimming pool, full-court basketball court, locker rooms, arts and crafts space, a caf gymnasium, and weightlifting and aerobics areas. The 56,500 square-foot center will also include pre-school classrooms, a concession space, and a computer lab. The Chelsea Recreation Center, originally started in the 1970s, has been designed by the architecture firm Koutsomitis Architects, P.C. and is being built by the NYC Department of Design and Construction.

In the United States, the Italian Trade Commission has five offices located in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle, each devoted to assisting Italian and American companies in establishing commercial relationships. For more information about the work they do, visit their website at www.italtrade.com.

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

(1796-1859)

On Thursday, June 7, 2001, the workmen returned. Mayor Rudy (Eagle) Giuliani; Deputy Mayor Rudy (Cobra) Washington; State Senator Tom (Reade) Duane; Council Speaker Peter (Boulder) Vallone; Council Member Herb (Merlin) Berman; Council Member Christine (Mighty) Quinn; Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern; Rosemarie (Crisis) O'Keefe, Commissioner of the Community Assistance Unit; Geoffrey (Young Tiger) Hess, Assistant Counsel to the Mayor; and Michael (The Jasper) Burton, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Design and Construction swung gold sledgehammers against a brick wall to symbolically resume construction of this 62,000 square foot building.

The design for the center is an adaptation of the 1973 plan. It includes a 25-yard, 6-lane swimming pool, a high school regulation basketball court, and several multi-purposes rooms. Architect Nick Koutsomitis, Director of Architecture Vincent (Winged Victory) Colangelo, and Project Manager Jonna (Wright) Carmona-Graf devised the adapted design. The Department of Design and Construction will oversee the $17 million project from this point on. If construction proceeds according to schedule, the center will open December 15, 2001, for lifeguard training, learn-to-swim, aerobics, dance, and pre-school classes. Next year, the empty pool "tub" will be filled with water, and the bare concrete floor surfaced for basketball. The windows will let in light and the doors will let in people. An idle space, formerly a storage facility for archival materials, will be filled with life.

When it is finished, the Chelsea Recreation Center will stand as a symbol of a resurrected economy and an administration that has supported and developed free sports, arts, and educational programs for the kids and adults of New York City. Since 1994, Parks Recreation has expanded its programming and appeal so dramatically that the attendance at recreation centers nearly doubled from 1.6 million to 2.9 million in 2000. Chelsea Recreation Center's fine amenities, strategic location, and interesting programs will help our suite of centers attract even more visitors.

Special thanks to First Deputy Commissioner Alan (Northside) Moss; Deputy Commissioner Robert (Iceman) Garafola; Jack (Kirkwood) Linn, Assistant Commissioner for Citywide Services; Adrian (A-Train) Benepe, Manhattan Borough Commissioner; Mary (Catalyst) Pazan, Chief of Management Services; and Paul (Polecat) Ersboll, Chief of Design.

Read the Press Release

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, June 13, 1988)

NEW LOST BATTALION ELEVATOR DEDICATED AT QUEENS CEREMONY

The lobby of the Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center in Queens can now welcome troops of children, adults, and senior citizens thanks to a recently completed $421,000 capital restoration.

Last Tuesday, Queens Borough President Claire Shulman joined Commissioner Stern, Community Board 6 District Manager Kathleen Reilly, Executive Director of the Forest Hills Community House Lewis Harris and Queens Parks Commissioner William H. Cook to ceremonially cut a green ribbon and reopen the Lost Battalion Hall lobby, located at 93-29 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this;
that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed;
but a thing created is loved before it exists."

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) ]]> 2009-11-21T21:53:46-05:00