Central Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, October 16, 2002

PARKS EMPLOYEE RECEIVES AWARD

Last Thursday at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel, Parks’ Network Administrator Yacov Kaydanov was honored with an Excellence in IT Support and Service Award. A part of the 2002 Excellence in Technology Awards Program, this prize is awarded to one person from each city agency.

“I feel great,” said Kaydanov, the Ukrainian-born programmer. “I didn’t know anything about this. I didn’t apply.” He does, without a doubt, deserve the award. Kaydanov has been somewhat of an unsung hero in Arsenal West, having quietly helped everyone that had computer problems.

“We’re glad to see that he’s finally gotten some recognition,” said James Grennan, Kaydanov’s supervisor. “He’s a very hard worker and a great guy.”

Eight years ago, Kaydanov moved from Kharkov, in the Ukraine, with his wife and two daughters. Almost as soon as he arrived, he began working at Parks—first as an intern and then as a full-time employee. He has now been working at Parks for over 7 years.

Computers seem to be in the genes in Kaydanov’s family. His wife was a programmer in the Ukraine, his elder daughter is a computer programmer, and his younger daughter is currently studying to be a web designer. Kaydanov lives with his wife in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. His family—and the Parks family—are extremely proud of him and his achievements.

Written by Eric Adolfsen

FALCONS SOAR ABOVE CENTRAL PARK

Come one, come all! BP presents the Urban Park Ranger Falconry Extravaganza, on Saturday, October 19. The free event will take place on the Great Lawn of Central Park from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is one of the largest live-flying demonstrations of birds of prey in the country. Come watch as red-tailed hawks, harris hawks, peregrine falcons, American kestrels, and gryfalcons swoop and soar overhead to the calls and lures of six master falconers, coming to the event from all over the east coast. Also featured will be Veedor, one of the only free-flying, trained Andean Condors in captivity! Our very own Deputy Director Matt Symons will serve as "MC" of the event. There will also be static areas where you can view and learn about birds of prey up close.

The event is sponsored by BP, Wild Kingdom, Audubon, and the Nature Conservancy. For more information email Kate Mini at kate.mini@parks.nyc.gov. Hope to see you all there!

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, October 25, 1989)

SNOOPY OPENS ICE SKATING SEASON
AT WOLLMAN RINK IN CENTRAL PARK

The ice was cold, but that didn’t worry Dylan Kennan of Public School 3, who managed to stay on her feet at the season opening of the Wollman Rink in Central Park this morning. “I’m doing good,” she said, wobbling on her skates. “I went around the rink two times without falling.”

Commissioner Stern, Aja Zanova-Steindler of Ice Capades and Donald Trump, the concessionaire for both Wollman and Lasker Rinks in Central Park, welcomed officials and hundreds of school children who laced up their skates to enjoy the new ice.

“Parks’ partnership with the Trump Organization has been exceptional,” the Commissioner said. “They have done a great job running Wollman for the past three years, and all of the profits go to charity and Parks projects.”

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Yet each man kills the thing he loves,
By each let this be heard,
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word.
The coward does it with a kiss,
The brave man with a sword!”

Oscar Wilde
(October 16, 1854–1900)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center