Park Of The Americas

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, April 14, 2004

EXPERIENCE SPRING KICKS OFF SEASON IN NEW YORK CITY PARKS

On Saturday, April 10, thousands of New Yorkers filled parks across the city for Healthfirst Experience Spring. This free citywide celebration helped Parks & Recreation kick off the start of spring and has become an annual tradition for many New Yorkers. The celebration was hosted in five parks and featured free activities for children of all ages.

"Experience Spring is the unofficial start of spring," said Commissioner Benepe. "Parks across the city were hopping with activity Saturday as thousands of kids participated in dozens of fun activities. We are grateful to Healthfirst for helping to present these free and healthy outdoor activities for New Yorkers."

"Healthfirst has always been committed to the communities it serves," said Paul Dickstein, Healthfirst’s President and CEO. "By partnering with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Healthfirst is proud to help create a series of fun, safe, and healthy events the whole family can enjoy." Parks & Recreation is also partnering with Healthfirst to present the Great New York City Halloween Party in October.

Central Park’s event, previously known as "Easter Eggstravaganza," brought about 20,000 people out into the beautiful spring weather. Participants were able to make arts & crafts, go in-line skating, visit a petting zoo, and see live performances. There were also games, face-painting, a greenmarket, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny and Paz the Penguin.

In addition to Central Park, this year’s Healthfirst Experience Spring was held at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Linden Park in Queens, and Brownsville Recreation Center and Von King Recreation Center in Brooklyn. At each of the events, smiling children dyed eggs, made tissue paper flowers, planted seeds in pots to take home with them, got their faces painted, listened to a cappella, and much more.

Healthfirst Experience Spring was also sponsored by Western Union, KTU, Viacom Outdoor, and the New York Post.

"April Rain Song"

Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby

The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night

And I love the rain.

Langston Hughes