Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, July 29, 2002

GARDENING DURING A DROUGHT EMERGENCY

Our ornamental fountains are turned off, we stopped washing our vehicles for aesthetic purposes, we are not hosing down sidewalks and other asphalt areas, and we are using well water to hydrate planting beds – Parks is doing its best to cope with the drought. There’s no reason to let your plants dry up just because you are concerned about saving water during the drought. Here are some tips to help you keep your garden growing through the long, hot summer:

• Plants growing in the wrong place are the first to suffer in a drought. Make sure that shade-loving plants are out of the sun so that they won’t demand more water than you can supply. Keep thirsty plants sheltered from wind – it will take moisture away from the soil. Group water-hungry plants together; group drought resistant plants together.
• Whenever possible, use native plants in your landscape. They are the most likely to adapt to weather changes without special care.
• Using mulches dramatically reduces water evaporation from soils, helping it retain moisture.
• Don't fertilize or prune. Your plants should not be encouraged to grow and both pruning and fertilizing can encourage new growth.
• Remove the weeds that compete with your plants for water.
• Use recycled water whenever you can – rainwater, cooking water, or any other water that has not been used for human or animal use.
• Prioritize your watering: water new plants first, then shallow rooted plants, then annuals, container plants, and vegetable gardens, and save established trees, shrubs and perennials for last.
• Avoid sprinklers that only scatter water in the air inefficiently. Use hoses to directly to a plant's root systems or use the flat soaking hoses to water your garden.

On Wednesday, July 17, Queens celebrated WEP Appreciation Day with a beach party at Rockaway. Approximately two hundred attendees composed of WEP participants, their families and WEP support staff beat the heat at the 86th street beach. Delicious 6 foot subway sandwiches, salads and snacks fed the happy party goers. Queens Recreation was on hand with games and toys for all of the children. When revelers finished swimming, they could work up a sweat again on the dance floor. Endless Melodies provided fantastic dance tunes, while participants provided the moves. Highlights of the day included line dancing to Endless Melodies and a tug-of-war in the sand. Work Experience Program staff received free Mets tickets, and all party goers left reluctantly, but happy, at the end of a great day at the beach. Kudos to the Queens WEP office for organizing such a wonderful party.

Last Friday's stormy weather prompted poor 'Bogie' to wander from his new Jackson Heights neighborhood. Who knows what adventures the lost dog had over the weekend? Luckily, the dog knew just where to go…Parks of course! On Monday afternoon, exhausted, dehydrated and barely able to stand, Bogie strolled by the Vaux Hall trailer and was greeted with open arms by dog lover Design Project Manager Shirley Kindler-Penzi. She lifted the dog’s spirits while he imbibed close to a gallon of water, and proceeded to take a well-deserved rest in the shade. Gustavo Frindt, also a Design Project Manager, remarked that he had tried to rescue the dog on Friday while driving along the BQE, but elusive Bogie was not ready to end his adventure. Luckily Bogie had a collar on, and to the delight of everyone, the ecstatic owner notified us that she was sending the dog's Aunt Janet to pick him up. Upon seeing his aunt, Bogie immediately perked up and gave us a big smile of relief and gratitude. He was to be taken to a vet for a check up. The latest report from the owner is that Bogie is doing well. He needed an IV to help him recuperate from severe dehydration, and his sore feet required some minor first aid due to his lengthy travels. Bogie will always have a few friends here at Parks. All in all, he is one lucky dog.

(Monday, August 7, 1989)

"Houston. Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed," said Neil Armstrong, in his first message to Earth from Apollo II lunar module Eagle landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. Armstrong’s message reverberated all the way to New York City, where hundreds of people watched the historic event on giant television monitors set up for the city’s "Moon Watch" on the Sheep Meadow in Central Park.

To celebrate the lunar eclipse and the 20^th anniversary of Apollo 11’s landing, Parks will recreate the event with "Moon Watch II" at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16. Held at Mineral Springs in Central Park, "Moon Watch II" will feature lectures, live performances, films, and many other activities—all with lunar themes.

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

Walt Disney
(1901-1966)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center