Central Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, March 26, 2002

AL MCMORRIS RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS WITH PARKS

Al McMorris has been with Parks for forty years and on Thursday, March 21, he was given a well-deserved farewell party to mark his retirement. Appropriately held at the Dairy in Central Park, over 200 hundred people attended to celebrate this Parkie’s career, including Commissioner Benepe; Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, founder of the Central Park Conservancy; and Regina Peruggi, President of the Central Park Conservancy.

McMorris’ journey through Parks started and finished in Central Park. As a maintenance worker in the North Meadow in 1962, his mission was to keep the park green and clean. Just a few months into his time with Parks he stood out as a leader and a dedicated employee. Shea Stadium, home to the New York Mets, was built in 1964 and Al left Central Park for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and there he worked on Stadium operations, eventually becoming foreman. Shea became a concession a few years later and McMorris requested to be transferred back to Central Park, considering it his true Parks home.

Back in Central Park for good, McMorris managed Heckscher Ballfields and Playgrounds and established positive relations with user groups, even managing to get equipment donated. Upon his recent retirement, McMorris served as night manager of the 79^th Street Yard.

McMorris experienced the emergence of the Central Park Conservancy from the first row in the 1980’s. "When others viewed the Conservancy with trepidation, Al was one of the first the recognize the benefits of the historic partnership that was to develop," said Doug Blonsky, Central Park Administrator. His dedication to parks, and especially Central Park, makes McMorris a great example for all of us. The Daily Plant congratulates him on a job well done for forty years.

On Saturday, March 30, 2002 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Easter Eggstravaganza will welcome guests to Central Park for the 56^th time. Sponsored by Pathmark and M&M's, this FREE spring festival is one of Parks’ longest running traditions. Children will enjoy the Jelly Belly Build Your Own Basket station, a petting zoo, a puppet show, egg dyeing, and of course, the City’s largest Easter egg hunt at Bethesda Terrace. A variety of street performers and musicians will be on hand to entertain. Visitors of all ages can participate in the Urban Park Rangers’ ecology tours throughout the day. The lower forty acres of Central Park will be transformed into this splendid springtime scene. Don’t miss the fun at this free family event!

(Tuesday, April 4, 1989)

When you’re in the health business you can tell someone to go take a walk—and get away with it. So Parks and the New York Times Good Health Magazine are asking all New Yorkers to join the Second Annual Good Health Walk, a 3.2-mile stroll that will take place on Sunday, April 16 with music, balloons and health clinics galore.

The Health Walk will wind down Broadway from Times Square to City Hall Park, where strollers will listen to music, watch theater performances and participate in clinics on golf, tennis and volleyball. The walk will be conducted by the New York Road Runners Club; the clinics will be produced by Parks’ Recreation Division.

(March 26, 1874-1963)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center