Brook Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, August 21, 2000

“THE YEAR OF THE BRONX RIVER” SPILLS OVER INTO 2000 AND BEYOND WITH FORD’S $30,000 DONATION

Friday, August 18 marked the next great step in the restoration of the Bronx River. Last November, Con Edison became the first corporate sponsor for the Bronx River. Now Ford has stepped in to help continue this important work by pledging $30,000 to the continuing restoration of the river and its surroundings.

Commissioner Henry J. (Star Quest) Stern, Ford Brand Manager David Ludwigson, and 50 Ford employees worked in the river on Friday to start this stage of the cleanup. The project will include the removal of debris as well as knotweed and other invasive weeds and vines from the streambank and trees. Ford's donation will also help re-establish native vegetation on the streambank, enhance the trails, install edging, and remove overgrown weeds, logs, silt and debris.

Last year, StarQuest declared 1999 "The Year of the Bronx River." Parks focused its resources on restoring the river throughout the year, creating tremendous momentum among government and private agencies and the Bronx community. To date, Parks has removed over 200 tons of debris, and more than 2,000 volunteers have taken part in clean ups and events along the river. Parks has received $770,000 in TEA-21 money to fund the critical West Farms Greenway Link and $425,000 from the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration for habitat restoration projects. The Community Development Block Grant funds total $70,000. The work continues now into the year 2000 to ensure that the river will be a pleasant attraction for years to come.

OLD NEIGHBORS REUNITE TO HONOR LEGENDARY HARLEM WOMEN IN DORRANCE BROOK PARK

On Saturday, August 19, a ceremony was held in Harlem's Dorrance Brook Park to dedicate a park bench and plant a tree in honor of Dr. Mamie Clark and Ella Baker, two women whose work sparked landmark achievements for the civil rights of African-Americans. Dr. Kenneth Clark and actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were among the guests who shared their fond recollections. The event took place during Harlem Week, an annual celebration of Harlem's community and history.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, August 24, 1987)

ARTIST KIETH HARING PAINTS MURAL AT CARMINE STREET POOL

With a whisk of the paint brush, popular artist Keith Haring, joined by Parks Artist-in-Residence Commissioner Stern, began to create his familiar gingerbread man-like figures on the 150-foot wall at the Carmine Street Pool in Greenwich Village last Thursday. Starting his task at 10 AM and finishing at 6 PM, Haring spent the day happily splashing on the water-based acrylic paints. By day's end, he had finished the complete mural-a celebration of swimming and fitness-against a backdrop of bright blue, "ultra yellow," and white.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)