Staten IslandStaten Island ChatSaturday, March 8, 2008The College of Staten Island, Building P9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Parks invites you to share your ideas and hear from Parks staff, community leaders and groups at this free and informative presentation on planning for the success of our Staten Island parks. Staten Islanders can learn about projects such as Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, the redevelopment of Fresh Kills and other issues related to open space and the community. You can also pick up schedules of events, and discover the different resources on Staten Island including the Urban Park Rangers, Historic Houses, recreation centers, Greenbelt facilities and programs, and much more!QueensGoing Green in QueensSaturday, March 8, 2008new york Hall of Science10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Parks advocates, including Parks staff, elected officials, volunteer groups and community volunteers, will discuss and participate in workshops about “Going Green in Queens” at the first annual speak-up event. This free environmental, educational and networking event will include informational workshops on street trees, alternative energy sources and composting, as well as discussions about construction materials, waterfront accessibility and how to work with your local government. The event is hosted by Parks & Recreation, Partnerships for Parks, the Queens Civic Congress and the Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces.ManhattanIndigenous Music World WorkshopSaturday, March 8, 2008Inwood Hill Nature Center12:00 p.m.Pianos, drums, and guitars are instruments that many people are familiar with, but what about others? Come on out with Ranger Rob Mastrianni for a journey around the world of indigenous musical instruments, and learn all about them!. BronxFamily Art ProjectSunday, March 9, 2008Kerlin Learning Center1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.”Tropical Patterns la Henri Matisse / Dises tropicales a lo Henri Matisse”: Take in the exotic blooms and lush foliage of the rainforest plants in the Tropical and Palm Houses of the Conservatory. Their incredible shapes and colors are a perfect inspiration for vibrant patterned collages to warm your spirit in the winds of March. BrooklynHistory Club: Italians of new york Sunday, March 9, 2008Marine Park - Salt Marsh Nature Center1:00 p.m.La Dolce Vita meaning “the good life” in Italian is the feeling many Italians experienced when they came over from Italy to live in the land of opportunity, new york City. Join the History Club for a fun, lively discussion on Italian history in the city. QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit”Edward Abbey(1927 - 1989)

Open Space Issues Discussed At Community Forums
Around the City, the Parks Department is listening to communities “Speak Up” about their parks. Forums are being held in all five boroughs for park advocates and community groups to hear about Parks initiatives and discuss how to increase involvement.The series is modeled after the successful Bronx Speak Up, which has been in existence for 14 years. Recognizing the importance of holding free forums to generate public discussion about open spaces, the program has been expanded citywide thanks to the support of Partnerships for Parks and countless community organizations. The series kicked off on February 9 at the Prospect Park Picnic House. The Brooklyn Parks Advocates helped put together this forum with topics ranging from Million Trees NYC, to how Brooklyn Forestry promptly responded to the loss of trees from this summer’s tornado, to the capital budget process and how projects evolve from idea to reality, to health and fitness initiatives underway at Brooklyn’s recreation centers. It also featured an opportunity for residents to interact with organizations including the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Urban Park Rangers, Greenthumb and the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. The 14th annual Bronx Speak Up was then held on February 23 at Lehman College. The forum’s theme was “Greening the Bronx” and featured presentations on Yankee Stadium Replacement Parks, tree plantings, storm water infrastructure and the use of synthetic versus natural turf. Community groups, including Rocking the Boat and new yorkers for Parks, also presented. Attendees enjoyed live opening entertainment by local band Spuyten Duyvil and the event was sponsored by Con Edison and hosted by the Bronx Coalition for Parks & Green Spaces.On March 1, City College hosted the Manhattan Community Get-Together. Events included networking sessions, gardening demonstrations and a seminar from Partnerships staff on how groups could improve their organizational skills. A panel was also held to discuss how community organizations could involve themselves in the development of park designs. Topics included the importance of community participation, effective ways of gathering input, resources to help community members navigate the design process and success stories of groups who have influenced the design of both small and large scale park processes. Two more community forums are happening on Saturday, March 8. They will take place in Staten Island from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the College of Staten Island, and in Queens from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the new york Hall of Science. We hope to see you there! QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”Malcolm X(1925 - 1965)

Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center Opens
On February 29, Parks & Recreation opened the city’s first indoor public pool in four decades. The Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center features an Olympic-sized pool and NHL-regulation ice rink. It is the first of its kind in the city and includes ADA-accessible features. At 110,000 square feet, it is the largest recreation facility ever built in a city park.Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky and Senior Vice President David Kane, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, USA Pools Corporate President Troy Legg, local elected officials and community members gathered at the opening ceremony. Competitive high school swimmers, synchronized swimmers, divers, senior citizens and children were on hand to test the water and show the flexibility of the space, which allows competitive and recreational swimming to take place simultaneously.The Olympic-size swimming pool is housed in the new Flushing Meadows Corona Park Natatorium and Ice Rink building, which was built in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation. The building, which also houses the NHL-regulation ice rink that will open later this year, will serve as a year-round facility for competitive and recreational use. The $66.3 million project was funded and envisioned by Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Marshall, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and former Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern. In 1999, Mayor Giuliani and Borough President Shulman envisioned a new indoor pool in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Conceived as an intermediate size pool, it was enlarged to meet Olympic standards and an indoor skating rink was added. Construction of the foundation finished in 2001 during the administration of Commissioner Stern but following 9/11, it was halted due to funding constraints. In 2003, the project was designated to be part of the city’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and Parks partnered with EDC to implement the new project. A revised design was developed by Handel Architects, LLP in association with Hom & Goldman Architects.The Olympic-sized pool (25M x 50M), located on the second floor with dramatic views of the park, meets international standards, is ADA-accessible and features ten lanes, surge tanks and overflow gutters. Movable bulkheads can configure the pool into three 25-meter swimming areas, allowing for different programming to take place at once. One-third of the pool has a movable floor that can adjust the depth from just a few inches to 7-feet, 4-inches. The middle section is also 7-feet, 4-inches deep and the third section, the diving tank, is 12-feet, 4-inches deep to allow for diving from the pool’s three diving boards-two 1-meter and one 3-meter. A mezzanine bleacher section seats approximately 414 spectators and an adjacent outdoor terrace will feature additional seating. Public locker rooms, toilets and showers are situated on the second level below the seating. The new Aquatic Center will be operated and staffed by USA Pools, which has an established reputation in the industry. It will offer services such as aquatic instruction and added lifesaving training for lifeguards, while saving the city and its taxpayers money. On Sunday, March 16, all new yorkers are invited to visit the pool as it hosts its first swim meet - the “High Point 2 Meet.” At 10:00 a.m., young swimmers between the ages of 6-18, from ten recreation centers across the city, will compete to see who’s the best in this friendly competition.QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Don’t wait for your ship to come in - swim out to it.”Author Unknown

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