We understand that some of you are disappointed that our comedy contest, the Sketchies, is only open to U.S. residents. We wish we could include everyone, but many countries have different laws about running contests and we weren’t able to make a contest with rules that are fair and […]

Fort Greene Park Is May’s Park Of The Month
Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn is both a popular neighborhood park and a historically significant site. The 30-acre park is home to tennis courts and playgrounds, a visitors center, a monument to Revolutionary War heroes, and is host to events such as concerts, poetry readings, and civic gatherings. The park, which is bounded by Myrtle Avenue, Dekalb Avenue, Washington Park, and St. Edwards Street, has been named May’s Park of the Month. “History comes alive at Fort Greene Park,” said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “What was once a Revolutionary War fortress, known as Fort Putnam, is now a majestic park with majestic views. new yorkers can learn about our shared history by exploring the new Visitor’s Center and soon, a restoration of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument and its surrounding landscape will be complete. Whether walking a dog, admiring the many species of trees, going on Urban Park Ranger tours, playing tennis and basketball, enjoying the playgrounds, or attending one of the activities organized by our partners in the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, there is always something to do at Fort Greene Park.”The park is named for Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene who oversaw the construction of Fort Putnam at the summit of the park in 1776. During the Battle of Brooklyn, Fort Putnam defended General George Washington’s retreat across the East River to safety. Honoring the park’s rich history, last year the Parks Department cut the ribbon on the new Fort Greene Visitor’s Center, which boasts a colonial historical theme. We installed interpretive signage and put on display a cannon, four Revolutionary War musket balls, and buttons from British and Hessian uniforms that were discovered in the park. The building was renovated as Parks staff made extensive repairs, constructed the display cases and counter, and added landscaping to the exterior. Boy Scout Troop 237 cleaned and painted the building, earning badges for this public service. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz funded program support materials, and Council Member Letitia James funded the Urban Park Rangers who staff the Center, providing a full program of historical and environmental education. Currently undergoing reconstruction is the majestic Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. The monument was created in the early 20th century when the leading architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White won a competition for its design, calling for a huge doric column, crowned with a bronze urn. It honors those Revolutionary War prisoners who died aboard the wretched conditions of British prison ships in Wallabout Bay. The monument was dedicated by President Taft in 1908 and, nearly 100 years later, we broke ground on its $4.3 million restoration, funded by Mayor Bloomberg, the Borough President and the City Council. Parks is restoring the crypt, annex, doric column, urn, bronze eagles, light shafts, plaza and landscaping. Work is scheduled for completion by this fall, ensuring that it will be in pristine condition for its centennial in 2008.Another new development at the park is the creation of the Fort Greene Park Tree Trail. Thirty-nine different species of trees were identified and mapped out on a route that takes hikers on a tour throughout the park. Led by Eagle Scout candidate Ryan O’Loughlin, a team from Boy Scout Troop 237 spent over 500 hours working with Urban Park Ranger Alberto Correa and Parks staff to create this first-ever tree trail constructed by volunteers. The Fort Greene Park Conservancy partners with the Parks Department in programming the park’s activities. The Conservancy sponsors the very popular Halloween Festival in the Fall, a film series in the summer, clean-up days, concerts and other events. We work together to ensure that park provides a rewarding experience for all its patrons. Park of the Month introduces some of our greatest parks and greenspaces to curious new yorkers and visitors alike. For additional information, please visit our website at www.nyc.gov/parks.QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Ignorant men don’t know what good they hold in their hands until they’ve flung it away.”Sophocles(496 BC - 406 BC)

A Playground Built For A Viking
On May 15, Commissioner Adrian Benepe was joined by City Council Members Vincent Gentile and Sara Gonzalez, Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann, and 4th graders and kindergarten students from P.S. 69 to break ground on $1.4 million in renovations at Leif Ericson Park in Brooklyn.Thanks to this allocation, Parks is completely renovating the playground on the 8th Avenue side of Leif Ericson Park. The City Council allocated $1,185,000, including $1,040,000 from Council Member Gentile and $145,000 from Council Member Gonzalez. An additional $215,000 was funded by Mayor Bloomberg.The playground will include new play equipment with a Viking Ship theme, in honor of the park’s namesake, the Norwegian explorer Leif Ericson. It will also include new swings, a synthetic turf volleyball area, basketball half-courts, game tables, and benches. A picnic area with accessible seating, lush perimeter gardens, trees and shrubs will be added for the enjoyment of all visitors. This parcel of land was acquired from 1895 to 1897 and dedicated as a public park in 1925. During World War II, the U.S. Army occupied the property and it was rehabilitated by Parks in 1945.The park is named for the Viking, Leif Ericson (c.960-c.1020), who is known as the first European to set foot on the North American continent, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. In keeping with the day’s theme, the children in attendance wore Viking helmets while snacking on Swedish fish, Danish cookies, and Icelandic water.TEACH YOUR CHILD TO RIDE A BIKEIn honor of Citywide Bike Month, the Parks Department has teamed up with Bike new york to present “Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike,” a free, fun program that allows parents to help their children safely learn to ride. Parks staff and volunteers will be on hand at a park near you to help your child learn how to ride a bike. Bring your child, a bike, and a helmet for this free, fun event. The new york City Department of Transportation safety program will provide helmets for children who do not have one; however supplies are limited. This is a great way to get your child interested in one of the the healthiest and most exciting modes of transportation. The program will be offered at the following locations on Monday, May 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.- North Rochdale Playground: Baisley Blvd and Bedell St, Queens- Behagen Playground: E. 166th St. and Union Ave, Bronx- Commodore Barry Park: Flushing Ave and N. Elliott Place, Brooklyn- Inwood Hill Nature Center: 218th St. & Indian Road, Manhattan- Silver Lake: Victory Boulevard, Clove Road and Forest Avenue, Staten Island”Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike” is sponsored by Parks & Recreation, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, Bike new york, and Transportation Alternatives. Pre-registration is required for this program. To register, parents must download the application from the Bike new york website (www.bikenewyork.org). QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Deeds, not words shall speak me.”John Fletcher(1579 - 1625)

Music Nerd Says Hello
I started here at YouTube a few weeks ago, taking the leap into video from my previous life as a radio broadcaster (FM and Internet). I’m still wearing headphones, but here at YouTube I’ll be developing a whole new, ahem, vision for how to share my passion for music. […]

EPA Honors The Natural Classroom
On April 26, the Urban Park Rangers were awarded a 2007 Environmental Quality Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for their park-based environmental education program entitled, The Natural Classroom. Since its inception in 2001, The Natural Classroom has grown in annual demand and is now provided as training to over 200 teachers, in direct service to over 20,000 children in grades K-8 and in partnership with over 500 schools. The Natural Classroom capitalizes on the educational value that interactive, park-based, hands-on environmental education programs have in stimulating students’ excitement and learning about the natural sciences and the environment. It also focuses on the basic principles of the natural and life sciences, covering topics in natural and cultural history. The Natural Classroom was developed in conjunction with the National Geographic Society and the new york City Department of Education, and is designed to make learning more than lessons and lectures. It encourages teachers to provide hands-on, experiential learning opportunities to their students. Overall, The Natural Classroom consists of ten distinct programs, ranging in topics from Ornithology and Ecology to Conservation and Explorers, allowing the educators who use the program to maximize the natural and cultural resources available within City parks while satisfying Department of Education standards. Funding from the Hudson River Foundation and the new york City Environmental Fund allowed the Urban Park Rangers to provide a financial incentive to teachers and classrooms from less privileged districts and schools. It resulted in an increase in the number of public school teachers from low-income neighborhoods that registered for and participated in The Natural Classroom, as well as an increase in the percentage of new schools registering for and participating in the program. In addition, the results of an assessment of the capacity of The Natural Classroom to influence attitudes about the urban natural environment demonstrated a clear positive relationship between student participation and an informed awareness of urban natural resources. The results of a teacher survey demonstrated that teacher awareness of the importance of field-based, hands-on learning in teaching life sciences was positively influenced by participation in The Natural Classroom.Written by Sarah GrimkAucoinPERFECT WEATHER FOR TAKING PICTURES IN A PARKThe peak of park season is upon us and there are less than four months left to capture Queens’ parks and submit entries to A Salute to Queens Parks Photography Contest. Amateur photographers are invited to submit photos to the photography contest through September 4. Winning entries will be exhibited at the Queens Museum of Art and the Arsenal Gallery, as well as published in the Queens Courier and a book.All photos must be taken in a Queens park or playground, at a Parks operated facility or a Parks sponsored event. A panel of experts in photography, art and parks will judge entries in four categories and three age groups. Categories include Black and White, People, Nature/Landscape, and Places/Landmarks. Age groups are divided into Youth (ages 12 and under), Teen (ages 13-17), and Adult (ages 18 and over). One winner from each age group in each category will be selected.For further information, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks.QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.”Stewart Udall(1920 - )

This Weekend In Parks
ManhattanThe spring edition of the Youth Track & Field Jamboree sponsored by Mount Sinai, the new york Road Runners Foundation and the Randall’s Island Sports Foundation will take place at Icahn Stadium on Saturday, May 12. An estimated 1,500 children, ages 4-15, are expected to attend with their families and all participants will receive awards. The purpose of this event is to promote physical health and emotional well being and to foster feelings of personal achievement. All athletic levels are welcome to enjoy a day of events including sprints, relays, field events and more. It takes place at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.BronxCrotona Park Nature Center will be holding its very first “Celebrate Urban Birds” event on Saturday, May 12. The celebration is an invitation for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a variety of activities focused on urban birds and neighborhood habitat improvements. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Crotona Park, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Cornell Cooperative Extension NYC. It takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.BrooklynProspect Park is the perfect Mother’s Day destination, with lots to do for kids and their moms. On Sunday, May 13, the Audubon Center will feature “Bird Mommies,” where from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. you can learn about the unique adaptations of female birds. Also at 3:00 p.m., the Lefferts Historic House hosts a concert and sing-a-long with traditional music by Lloyd Miller from the Deedle Deedle Dees and free homemade ice cream. Pedal and electric boating will also be available throughout the afternoon.QueensLeave the traffic behind and bike to Shea! Marshals from the Department of Transportation will escort you on a 6-mile ride to Shea Stadium to see the Mets vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, May 12. Riders of all skill levels are welcome. Once at Shea, free attended bike parking close to the stadium entrance will be provided and fun free gift give-aways will also be available for all those who Biked to Shea! To purchase discounted tickets for the game, call Brian O’Leary at 718-559-3038 to obtain login information for the group rate. The bike ride departs from Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 1st Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan at 11:00 a.m.Staten IslandDust off your zoom lens. The Urban Park Ranger naturalists will show you the up-close beauty of nature in the springtime on Saturday, May 12. Take lots of pictures and bring home some printable memories. Bring your own camera. Beginners are welcome. The tour takes place at the Blue Heron Nature Center at 10:00 a.m.KUDOS TO GREENSTREETS!The following letter was addressed to Commissioner Benepe on May 2.Dear Commissioner:Your recent comments at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon were truly appreciated. I was unaware of the commitment to improve the availability of parks to the City’s residents, and I was also unaware of the commitment to increase the “Greenstreet” spaces throughout the City.I have been a fan of Greenstreets since the effort began a decade ago. When urban and traffic engineers speak of “traffic calming” they are thinking about speed humps and lane-closures and other mechanical devices to slow the pace of traffic. When I hear “traffic calming,” I think more of “driver calming” and “people calming,” and achieving it through Greenstreets. We are all influenced by our surroundings. A frustrated truck driver in an industrial area who is behind schedule and waiting for a light to change is influenced by the small stand of shade trees adjacent to his truck, whether he consciously knows it or not. The harried mother who is stuck in traffic while rushing to soccer practice may take note of the tulips blooming in the small spot alongside her minivan and enjoy a surprising moment of peace-and-quiet. The senior citizen waiting for a bus to visit the doctor or go shopping will appreciate the cool shade while sitting in a bench in a small triangle near their home as they wait.Although these folks would all truly benefit by a two-hour visit to Central Park, their schedules do not allow it. However, the benefit of a park visit can be brought to them in a small way through the Greenstreets program. I am delighted to hear that it will continue to grow.Keep up the good work!Sincerely,Kenneth J. BuettnerQUOTATION FOR THE DAY”Why was I born with such contemporaries?”Oscar Wilde(1854 - 1900)

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