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

This Weekend In Parks
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)

At Long Last - A Snow Day!
It almost appeared that this would be a winter without snow. But for the legions of children off from school last week, Friday’s snowfall did not disappoint.As the snow fell, members of Parks & Recreation joined new yorkers in their neighborhood parks for some winter fun. White-capped hills around the city were open for sledding, snowman-making, snowball fights and more for the first Snow Day of the year. Parks staff provided sleds, music and served more than 1,700 cups of hot chocolate at selected locations, while Urban Park Rangers led nature walks and explained how to find animal prints in the snow. Snow Day sites saw nearly 2,000 visitors by the end of the day’s activities.In all five boroughs, Parks & Recreation employees mobilized to offer families a program of winter fun in some of the best places to spend a snowy afternoon. At Prospect Park in Brooklyn, children competed in sledding races across the Long Meadow. In Juniper Valley Park in Queens, revelers participated in a snow man building contest. In Manhattan, kids at Riverside Park engaged in friendly snowball battles. Further north at Crotona Park in the Bronx, children took part in snow relays. At Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island, the festivities included animal tracks and footprint identification and nature walks with the Urban Park Rangers.While kids were playing in the snow, Parks employees were hard at work clearing parks and pathways of the accumulating snowfall. Citywide, Parks deployed 969 workers, 124 plows and 52 snow blowers to ensure the safety of pedestrians and park-goers. Snow Days are a longstanding Parks & Recreation tradition. With a month of winter left, we look forward to the next time the city’s parks are blanketed in fresh snow for another day of cold-weather excitement.JAMA ADAMS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRSI am pleased to announce the appointment of Jama Adams as the Director of Public Affairs. Jama will lead the Press Office team in generating public attention about Parks initiatives and resources by preparing, editing and disseminating news through press conferences and events, the Parks website, press releases, story placement, newsletters, the It’s My Park! TV show and other outlets. As Director, Jama will coordinate internal and external communications and wants to share the good news from all Parks divisions, so please don’t hesitate to contact her in the Press Office at 212-360-1311.As Deputy Director since 2006, Jama has worked on many issues - highlights include explaining how the U.S. Forest Service comes up with a dollar value for each street tree in our care, and describing off-leash dog rules. Last year, Jama coordinated with the Mayor’s Office and our nonprofit partners to lead Parks’ successful media campaign around the Mayor’s visionary PlaNYC and Million Trees NYC initiatives.With a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Press, Politics and Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Jama was drawn to new york City Parks & Recreation to work on political challenges in a city where public parks are so essential to people’s lives. She brings communications experience with other prominent newsmakers, including U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy, and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. Please join me in wishing Jama every success in her new role. Thank you,Commissioner Benepe QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball.”Doug Larson

Love Blooms In new york City’s Parks
Though new york City is filled with extraordinary restaurants and extravagant gift opportunities, our natural settings still reign supreme as romantic spots for Valentine’s Day. In any given park, you will often find new yorkers hand-in-hand (or, sometimes, lip-to-lip). Read on for some of new york City’s most romantic outdoor locales. Bronx* Van Cortlandt Park - Take a leisurely walk around the lake or hike the John Muir Nature Trail in this woodsy paradise.* Wave Hill - Watch the sun set over the Palisades or visit one of the most impressive arboretums in new york City.* Orchard Beach - A romantic walk on the rocky shoreline of Hunter Island will transport you to the coast of Old New England.* Bronx Park - Watch the spectacular waterfall on new york City’s only freshwater river, the Bronx River. Brooklyn* Brooklyn Bridge Park - Watch the sun set over Manhattan as the East River glistens before you.* Lullwater Bridge, Prospect Park - The waterfall and boathouse make the perfect setting for romance.* Fulton Park - Stroll through the great trees in this treasured neighborhood park.* Sunset Park - Eagle-eye views of Manhattan, Staten Island, New Jersey, and the Statue of Liberty will make you feel like you’re on top of the world.Manhattan* Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park - This picturesque garden offers spectacular views of the Palisades in all seasons.* The Battery - Take in unparalleled views as seagulls fly, the waves lap, and the sun sets over Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.* Madison Square Park - Enjoy world-class outdoor art in this historic park right in the heart of Manhattan.* Carl Schurz Park - Cuddle up on the benches behind the grand Gracie Mansion.Queens* Fort Totten Park - Peer across the Long Island Sound through stately Civil War-era structures.* Astoria Park - Stroll the East River waterfront overlooking Roosevelt Island and the awesome Manhattan skyline.* Baisley Pond Park - Sit and relax under the gazebo and gaze out at the fabled gigantic lily pads resting on the pond.* Kissena Park - Weeping willows set the mood around the beautiful lake.Staten Island* Alice Austen House - This Victorian garden will transport you to 19th century romance.* Willowbrook Park - Ride the carousel with your sweetheart and feel like a kid again. * Clove Lakes Park - Experience a boat ride on the lake while enjoying the beautiful park.And don’t forget to check out these Valentine’s Day events for you to go to today!Family Craft Workshop: Design a Jewelry Box Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Design a jewelry box for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day when you embellish a box with fun materials. Decoupage, collage, or even mosaic if you feel so inspired! Valentine Night Popcorn and a Movie: “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”.Marine Park, Brooklyn7:00 p.m.Want something fun to do on Valentine’s Day? Join us for popcorn and a movie. Whether you have a sweetheart or not, come on in for some comic relief.St. Valentine is considered the patron saint of love. According to legend, he married couples in secret when Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage, fearing it made men poor soldiers. While imprisoned for these actions, he sent the first “valentine,” a note to his beloved that he signed “from your Valentine.”QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”All you need is love, all you need is love,All you need is love, love, love is all you need.”The Beatles

Winter Jam Brings The Mountain To Central Park
Yesterday Central Park received some of the first snow in this largely snow-free winter. Although there was no snow last Saturday for Winter Jam 2008, that did not stop us from improvising!While it was too warm to make snow for cross-country skiing, we were able to bring winter to Central Park with our first-ever snow flume, by chipping mass quantities of ice — 27 tons! new yorkers were thus able to experience sledding down a two-story high, 80-foot long snow flume, all for free. “Winter Jam 2008 in Central Park and Union Square Street Sessions brought the mountain to new yorkers - with a sledding hill, fresh winter produce, warm drinks and hot music, this year’s festival offered something to bring the entire family out of hibernation,” said Commissioner Benepe.Participants also got cozy with hot drinks in the Warming Hut and snacks from the Winter Greenmarkets. Live performances included artists such as The White Tie Affair and Kat DeLuna. Olympic medallists bobsledder Todd Hayes and luger Gordy Sheer joined new yorkers in winter fun at the Olympic luge display. “We are very happy to bring the joy of winter sports and activities to new york City. Lake Placid is an icon in winter sports, and new york State has a multitude of winter destinations, large and small, that fit everyone’s preferences,” said Ted Blazer, the president and CEO of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). “This week, winter definitely came to life in the Big Apple.”After hours of free sledding on the snow flume, provided by Aura360, the slope broke down into a rail jam competition that brought snowboarders and skiers into Central Park. More than 100 amateur winter sports lovers hit the rails at the popular Rail Jam Open.The event was sponsored by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, I LOVE NY (ESDC), Aura360, Crocs, Lake Placid, Gore Mountain, the new york State Department of Agriculture & Markets, Metro, Hot 97, KISS FM, Seventeen Magazine and Norelco.QUOTATION FOR THE DAY”In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.”Louis Pasteur(1822 - 1895)

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