New York Local and Regional News

City of Water DayA FREE day of entertainment, education, and adventure celebrating the potential of New York City’s waterfront awaits you on Governors Island this Saturday. Highlights of the Second Annual City of Water Day include more than a dozen fun and free boat tours; special children’s activities like fishing, arts & crafts, rides, and a race; an exciting line-up of local bands; and more! (Canoers and kayakers paddling to the event must register at www.cityofwaterday.org in advance.)The R.H. Macy’s Fishing ContestProspect Park is home to at least 18 different types of fish. How many can you identify? Bring your child (ages 5-15) to Prospect Park this week for a fun contest that also teaches kids about aquatic ecology. A rite of passage since 1947, the Macy’s Fishing Contest awards prizes daily to those who haul in the big catches from Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. Equipment is provided free of charge, or participants can bring their own. All fishing is done on a catch-and-release basis; fish must be returned to the lake alive.Saturday, July 18NYC Central Park Paint-out 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Central Park, ManhattanMillionTreesNYC Tree Stewardship Workshop: NYBG Bronx Green-Up! 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Padre Plaza Success Garden, BronxBird Feeder Workshop 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten IslandCelebrate Brooklyn! All-Day African Festival with King Sunny Ad2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Prospect Park, BrooklynSunday, July 19Exploring Twin Island 10:00 a.m. Orchard Beach Nature Center/Pelham Bay Park, BronxArchery Basics 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Willowbrook Park, Staten IslandFriends of Fort Totten Parks’ Family Fun Day12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Fort Totten Park, QueensHighbridge Water Tower 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Highbridge Park, ManhattanNature Scavenger Hunt 2:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Nature Center/Van Cortlandt Park, BronxQUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”Albus Dumbledore(1881 – 1997)

Enthusiastic Tour Guide Leads Interns Through Central Park
When Gary Rozman told his parents he wanted to work for the Parks Department, they asked, “What are you going to be, one of those guys who blows the leaves?” Instead, Rozman leads tours of Central Park. On Tuesday, July 14, Rozman took a group of twenty interns away from their desks and outside on a three-hour tour of Central Park. With the knowledge and passion of a college professor, Rozman held a captive audience. “I’ve amassed this treasure trove of interesting facts,” Rozman said. “I feel like it’s my obligation. They’re not doing me any good unless I share them with others.”Rozman got his first job with Parks as an Urban Park Ranger, where he frequently led tours and developed a passion for performing. Rozman, who currently works in Community Resources as a Cultural Affairs Liaison, does not give as many tours these days, but he jumps at the opportunity to lead a new group. According to Rozman, giving tours requires an ability to keep the audience engaged and interested. He explained that leading tours is “one-quarter preparation and three-quarters theater.”As with most live entertainment, the audience is part of the production. Holding a bag of prizes, Rozman asked the group on interns a trivia question: Before public parks were built in the city, where did people congregate?The answer: Public squares, on private land, and in cemeteries. Perhaps there were better places to hang out on a Friday night.The creation of Central Park ushered in a new era of public planning in New York City, but if Tuesday’s group left with nothing else, Gary Rozman wanted them to know that despite its dense, woodsy feel, all 843 acres of Central Park are 100 percent artificial and man-made. Rozman illuminated Central Park’s aesthetic beauty for his audience, commenting on the juxtaposition of building and greenery. At Strawberry Fields, the group took a moment to admire the flowers placed around the John Lennon “Imagine” memorial. At the end of the tour, Rozman took the group to the Arsenal’s High Roof, which requires scaling a ladder to reach. In addition to a spectacular view of the Park, a steel box sits on the edge of the rooftop with an official Parks book that special guests are invited to sign. When the book is completely filled, it will go into the City archives. “The tour was excellent, really informative, and Gary’s knowledge and passion for the park really enhanced the experience,” Joe Conforti, an intern with the Office of Management and Budget, said. Rozman believes it is important for Parks employees, especially interns, to go beyond their particular office and realm to learn about Central Park, the Parks Department, and the many tasks that make it happen. “My feeling is you should know a little about this flagship facility,” said Rozman. “It’s unfortunate that we sometimes don’t get past the four walls of the Arsenal.”Chelsea Hart, an intern who works with Rozman at Community Resources and Citywide Services this summer, benefits directly from his daily advice. “Working with Gary personally has given me insight into his extensive knowledge as an Urban Park Ranger and has made him a better mentor for me as an intern,” she said.”I learn as much from them as I imagine they take away from me,” Rozman said. “I’ve been at parks for a while now, and I’m limited to the worlds that I’ve officially worked in, and it’s always fascinating to me to hear from everybody else coming from all the different divisions of the agency and learn about all the projects they’re working on and what the up-and-coming thing is.” Parks interns have had a packed event schedule this summer. From their outing at Alley Pond Adventure Park, meet-and-greet with Commissioner Benepe, NYC Service Coney Island clean up day, and barbecue at Gracie Mansion, they have been exposed to different sides of the agency and City government. “I think it’s important for folks to come together in this way, and to learn what actually happens behind the scenes, that we may not even be cognizant of,” Rozman said. Written by Michael YoungQUOTATION FOR THE DAY”If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”George S. Patton(1885 – 1945)

Parks Kicks Off The Summer With A Record Number Of Lifeguards
On Thursday, July 2, Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined beach lifeguards, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, Assembly Member Alec Brook Krasny and performers from Barnum & Bailey Circus to announce that over 1,200 lifeguards will staff beaches and pools this summer – a record breaking number.”Parks is kicking off the summer in style at Coney Island this weekend, in a record breaking fashion,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “We are proud to announce a record number of more than 1,200 highly qualified lifeguards this year staffing outdoor pools and beaches throughout the city. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the recruitment campaign and lifeguard training. The beach is the cornerstone of Coney Island and the people who put that cornerstone in place are our lifeguards. We look forward to having more beaches being open and the safest and most exciting season yet.” “Lifeguards who belong to District Council 37′s NYC Lifeguard Supervisors Local 508 and NYC Lifeguards Local 461 do a wonderful job of safeguarding the city’s pools and beaches,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “We are especially proud this year that a collaborative effort between Local 508 and the NYC Department of Parks, which is responsible for operating the city’s 14 miles of beaches and 54 outdoor pools, has resulted in the hiring of the largest number of lifeguards ever – over 1,200 lifeguards. These lifeguards have been tested and certified to work at city beaches and public pools where they make rescues and perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and, ultimately, save lives making a day at the beach or pool an enjoyable experience for the millions of New Yorkers who use those facilities.”Between 1995 and 2005, the average number of Parks summer lifeguards was 969. Thanks to a vigorous recruitment campaign, those numbers increased to 1,066 in 2006, 1,090 in 2007 and 1,148 in 2008. Achieving over 1,200 lifeguards meets a longstanding goal of the Parks Department.Late last year, Parks’ lifeguard trainers were quietly scouring swimming programs all over town promoting great lifeguard jobs. Their early action paid off with over 200 qualified applicants enrolled in the Municipal Lifeguard Training Program even before the official start of the recruitment season. They then worked diligently throughout the winter and spring turning the new recruits into qualified lifeguards who are now ready to safeguard swimmers at our beaches and pools.Candidates who passed the training test enrolled in Parks’ free Municipal Lifeguard Training Program, which is the only certification accepted for employment as a New York City lifeguard. The training program consists of 40 hours of instruction in swimming and rescue techniques, First Aid, and CPR, and includes a final swim test and a written exam. First-year lifeguards earn at least $13.57 an hour (up from $12.55 in 2008) and work 48 hours a week.At the press conference Parks also encouraged New Yorkers to come out to Coney Island this summer where The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus have set up their tents to perform “The Coney Island Boom A Ring.” The circus will be at Coney Island until September. City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach in Staten Island. All City beaches are free to the public.QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”The less you talk, the more you’re listened to.”Abigail Van Buren(1918 – )

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