Richmond Parkway

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, April 30, 2002

CAPITAL PROJECT OF THE MONTH: BLOOD ROOT VALLEY RECREATION CENTER

April’s Capital Project of the Month is the creation of a new recreation center in Staten Island. Located in Blood Root Valley just west of Brielle Avenue, the project is being jointly funded by Staten Island Borough President Guy V. Molinari and Mayor Giuliani with a total budget of $5.7 million. There is currently only one recreation center in Staten Island, Cromwell Recreation Center on Murray Hulbert Avenue, thus the addition of Blood Root Valley Recreation Center is imperative.

The new recreation center will sit on a site that was part of the original Farm Colony that dates back to the 1680's. For much of the 20^th century, indigent poor, as many as 2,000 at one point, lived at the site and until 1924 were required to work to provide food for themselves. 25 acres of the land were transferred to Parks in 1982 and on that land was a morgue facility first completed in 1931.

The garage wing on the morgue facility is being converted into the Blood Root Valley Recreation Center. The center will include a fitness room, an aerobics/dance hall, a multipurpose room, a computer lab, and two classrooms. The center will also be outfitted with outdoor facilities, including 2 basketball courts with bleachers, 2 tennis courts, a skating area, a horseshoe pit, and a bocce court. Designed by Hom & Goldman, the project beginning this spring will last for 18 months and the Consultant Project Manager is Jonna Carmona-Graf.

Commissioner Richard Murphy received two honors last week for his hard work and dedication in the borough of Queens. At its monthly meeting, the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation gave Murphy a plaque for his commitment and dedication to the community of Woodhaven. Also, Council Member Gallagher and Council Member Addabbo presented Murphy with a City Council Proclamation. By bestowing it, they were "publicly and jubilantly proclaiming" that Murphy has done an outstanding job for the borough of Queens and its parks. The Daily Plant congratulates Commissioner Murphy on his successes.

(Tuesday, May 7, 1989)

Nomination forms for the 1989 Career Civil Service Awards and applications for the 1989 College Scholarship Awards are now available, Training Director Janice Melnick announced. These awards are sponsored annually by the Hundred Year Association of New York in cooperation with the Department of Personnel.

The Career Civil Service Award recognizes outstanding and dedicated employees who have improved the efficiency and quality of services rendered to the people of New York City. Employees must hold a permanent civil service title and earn less than $42,000 annually to be eligible. Nominations must be endorsed by Commissioner Stern.

"Predicament indeed, which thus discovers
Honor among thieves Honor between lovers.
O such a little word is Honor, they feel!
But the grey word is between them cold as steel."

(April 30,1888–1974)