"Working in partnership with the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds, we have beautifully transformed this play area so that it is now accessible to children of all ages and abilities," said Commissioner Benepe.

"Play is important for all children, regardless of their abilities," said Ms. Barzach. "Its inspiring to work with the New York City Parks & Recreation Department that shares our vision to provide playgrounds where children of all abilities can play together."

The event kicked off when the P.S. 199 color guardall fifth gradersmarched gloriously into the playground with the American, New York City and Parks & Recreation flags. What followed was an impressive recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-spangled Banner by the children, parents and teachers in attendance.

Borough President Fields, who allocated $300,000 for the reconstruction, expressed enthusiasm about the finished project. "We want to be concerned about the physical exercise of the children," said Fields. "Im delighted to work with our Parks Commissioner to build a safe environment for children to play."

The history of playgrounds for children of all abilities begins in New York City, with the "Playground For All Children" in Flushing Meadows Corona Park Originally built in the late 1970s, after a design competition was held the playground opened in 1984. That play space is currently undergoing a $4 million renovation that is expected to be completed this fall.

Plans to convert Playground 70 into a fully-accessible playground began several years ago. Parks & Recreation designer Claire Dudley worked with parents, children and Boundless Playgrounds to develop the playground. Work began in July 2002 and was completed this month (right on schedule). In addition to the $300,000 from the Borough President, an additional $800,000 was allocated by the City Council.

Renovations included the construction of a Childrens Garden with accessible bridges running across it, musical instruments built into the play space, and basketball courts with adjustable basketball backstops that can be lowered for athletes in wheelchairs. The comfort station was also refurbished and picnic tables were constructed to allow handicap access. A much-loved camel sculpture was also restored, and kids cheered its recovery.

A spray shower with a map of the United States in colored concrete was also added. Children celebrated its turning on by singing a song about the states entitled "Fifty Nifty" and then by dancing under the showers sprays.

Working with Parks & Recreation, Playground 70 marks the first Boundless Playgrounds project in Manhattan. Boundless Playgrounds, a national nonprofit organization assists communities to develop playgrounds that are universally accessible and fully integrated, where children of all abilities can play together. To date, 49 Boundless Playgrounds have been completed across the country, and 100 more are underway.

"Its all in a days work."

"No one was short of ideas for this playground," said Commissioner Benepe. In reinventing this playground, Parks Landscape Architect Claire Dudley (who is responsible for accessible playgrounds in every borough) worked closely with parents, students, and faculty to dream up a park that would be both educational and accessible. Teachers asked that the spray shower have a map of the United States painted on its concrete so that kids can learn geography while they cool off. The community wanted the comfort station to be revamped and its entrances made handicap-accessible. And parents hoped that the basketball courts be outfitted with adjustable basketball backstops so that every child (even those in wheelchairs) might have a shot at making a three-pointer. Addressing the possibility of all these requests, Commissioner Benepe claimed, "Consider it done."

Other planned improvements include the creation of a Childrens Garden with several accessible bridges running across it, the installation of accessible picnic tables, the construction of a street-side garden facing 70^th Street, and the repaving and colorseal-coating of the asphalt baseball area. Parks will also add several swings with a variety of accessible seats, including a swing seat and a molded plastic seat with both head and leg supports.

"The school year may have ended, but our work here has just begun," said Commissioner Benepe. "And when this playground is finished, there will be work for you kids, too." After a pause Benepe finished, "Each of you will be required to have fun."

Of the projects total funding, $800,000 came from the City Council and $300,000 came from Borough President C. Virginia Fields. And when work is completed next spring, kids will have a unique chance to play in a transformed playground that they helped rebuild.

Its "Nothing But Net" this summer at 10 playgrounds around the five boroughs. Organized by Parks Hansborough Recreation Center and sponsored by Coca Cola, JPMorgan Chase, White Castle, Crown Trophy, and Duane Reed, Citywide Hoops 4 Kids provides boys and girls ages 7 to 12 both basketball instruction and real-world guidance. "480 children will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of basketball from qualified Parks coaches," said program director Al Peterson. In addition to basketball lessons, representatives from the NYPD, the FDNY, and the Urban Park Rangers will teach children about drug prevention, fire safety, ecology, and nature. According to co-director Marc Rogers, "many of the children are already looking forward to being chosen for the All-Star games scheduled for August 9." Anyone interested in registering their child can contact the programs hotline at (212) 234-9600.

(Wednesday, July 12, 1989)

Some leaders tell you to "Read my lips." Others say, "Watch my hips." Aerobics guru Jorge Alzerreca gave that very command at his sunrise exercise class, held early yesterday in Carl Schurz Park on Manhattans Upper East Side.

Clad in red running shorts and a T-shirt, Alzerreca, a former gymnast, led to his disciples through a 45-minute routine more familiar to the Central Park Zoo than to Carl Schurz Park. Students hopped around and swung their arms in the air, while Alzerreca encouraged his sweaty flock and adjusted foot placements and postures. No matter that the huffing and puffing nearly drowned the strains of "Feel the Energy," "Let Me Take You Dancing," "So Many MenSo Little Time," and other aerobics hits that blasted on Alzerrecas boom box.

"Age is a very high price to pay for maturity."

(b. July 3, 1937)

Architects Hisham Nasrat Ashkouri and James Charnisky won the competition for a playground to be located in the southwest of Flushing Meadows Corona Park at 111th Street and Corona Avenue in Queens. Construction on their design began in 1980. This year, Queens Borough President, Claire (Queens Bee) Shulman committed $2.9 million for the reconstruction of that playground to comply with updated safety and accessibility standards. Capital just named the design for that reconstruction Project of the Week.

The scope of the reconstruction includes a seven foot ramped play unit, activity stations, slides, climbers, swings, exercise equipment at wheelchair height, a newly designed water play area with in-ground water sprays and a water curtain. The ground will be designed with decorative pavers, and three murals will brighten up the walls. A play village, with structures large enough for wheelchairs, will invite children to create imaginative simulations in its playhouse, firehouse, and school, its school buses and fire trucks. The playground will also feature a musical walkway engraved with a musical staff and notes. When children tap the musical play pieces they'll produce music. The tables there will be drums, the walls will chime, and a xylophone will run along the ground. The musical features of the park will be particularly helpful in orienting blind children to their surroundings. Swings with back supports will accommodate those children who cannot sit up, and a glider swing will accommodate wheelchairs.

Project Manager Claire Dudley designed the reconstruction. Susan Coker completed the specifications and estimates, and Oliver (Twist) Corwin created the artwork. Chris (Snowcat) Crowley, Bill (Osprey) Gotthelf, and Bernadette Grullon assisted with the contract drawings. Construction of the redesign is expected to begin at the end of this summer.

For more information check out the Capital Project of the month

STATEN ISLAND'S EASTER BASH

Staten Islanders celebrated Easter in Clove Lakes Park on April 7, 2001. Parks, the 123rd Precinct, and the Staten Island Savings Bank entertained over 1,000 guests at a festival that included egg hunts and a competitive egg roll, a live DJ, and special appearances by the Easter Bunny, Rugrats, and a few live animals. Parkies pitched in, passing out chocolate eggs, whipping up cotton candy, and shooting family photos. Volunteers from the 123rd precinct distributed hot dogs and painted the faces of park visitors. Thanks to the generous donations of local merchants, every youngster left the park with a souvenir in hand.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, April 25, 1988)

PARKS COUNCIL HONORS PHILANTHROPISTS MARY LASKER AND LAWRENCE WEIN

A gala dinner dance was held last Tuesday night at the Grand Ballroom of the Pierre Hotel for the 1988 recipients of the Parks Council Award, Mary Lasker and Lawrence Wein, who were honored for their outstanding philanthropic contributions.

Established in 1926, the Parks Council is an association of New Yorkers dedicated to the protection, development, and enhancement of New York City's parks, open spaces and waterfront for the use and enjoyment of the public.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"And the jocund rebecks sound
To many a youth and many a maid,
Dancing in the checkered shade.
And young and old come forth to play
On a sunshine holiday."

John Milton (1608-1674)