Central Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, October 1, 2002

CONGRATULATIONS EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

The following individuals were awarded Employee of the Month for September at a breakfast with Commissioner Benepe held on September 30, 2002. One employee awarded Employee of the Month for August is also included on this list. The other honorees will be listed later in the week.

Bill Tai is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for September. Bill joined Parks on May 17, 1999 and currently works as a PRM in Manhattan Districts 1 & 2. In the past year, Bill has been charged with the monumental task of restoring the parks in the physically devastated and extremely high profile Lower Manhattan area. He and his staff have worked with extraordinary dedication to help return parks such as Battery Park, Bowling Green, City Hall Park and Washington Square Park to their former role as green oases in a bustling downtown. Simultaneously, Bill had to accommodate a vastly altered landscape, environmental challenges, and the increased use of these parks as places of gathering, memorial and remembrance. Bill played a key role in the 9-11 anniversary events. Bill was also pools manager for Manhattan which is Parks largest pool program by far. He also piloted the first "Meet the Manager" day which was expanded citywide this past Saturday. A rising talent at Parks, Bill Tai has become a big time contributor.

Marianne Anderson is the Bronx's Employee of the Month for August. Marianne joined Parks on May 6, 1985 with the Parks 40, and she currently works as the Director of Outreach and Special Projects at Van Cortlandt and Pelham Bay Parks. Marianne works along the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and other volunteer groups to promote and support the nearly 4,000 acres of these two flagship parks. Marianne has helped win various grants to help maintain the park. She also prepares a number of park brochures and publications, maintains a support mailing list with over 5,000 people, and helps organize special events like this summer's Derek Jeter Turn 2 Kid Fest and the summer concert series at Pelham Bay Park. A major asset in the Bronx, Marianne was nominated by Park Administrator Linda Dockeray.

Michael Shuster is Brooklyn's Employee of the Month for September. Michael joined Parks on June 13, 1993 and is currently a year round WEP crew chief and seasonal SPMO. He helped supervise this year's beach cleaning and garage operations at Coney Island. Michael assisted in beach and boardwalk preparation for this year's successful season. He also instituted new procedures for tracking and monitoring vehicles that greatly reduced the frequency and cost of equipment damage and maintenance. Michael was previously an employee of the month as a CPW in June 1996. For his role in a magnificent season at Coney Island, Michael was nominated by PRM Arne Israel.

Michael P. Bolger is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for September. Michael joined Parks on August 10, 1987 and is currently Deputy Director of Consultant Project Management (CPM). As such, Michael supervises a staff of 7 who oversee all aspects of contracted-out designs including cost evaluation, design development, and community review. Michael oversees nearly 45 projects per year. His recent projects include the citywide Emergency Well Drilling program and the search for alternatives for the Richmondtown Loop. For his role in masterfully building our parks system, Michael was nominated by Paul Ersboll.

PARKS HELPS FIGHT BREAST CANCER
Diep Dang

Breast Cancer isn't just a women's issue. It could affect any one of us - or our mothers, sisters, or friends. American Cancer Society researchers are studying vaccines, genes, and the environment in search for answers. Our team from Parks & Recreation will join the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 20, 2002 in Central Park. Join our team as a walker or contributor, and help support the lifesaving work of the American Cancer Society. Call or e-mail Rajinder Garcha at (212) 830-7852 for details.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Tuesday, October 10, 1989)
EVERYTHING'S COMING UP TREES

The streets if New York City are about to receive the biggest infusion of greenery in the last four decades. Parks contractors will plant close to 12,500 street trees in Fiscal Year 1990 as a cost of $6 million, the largest year-long planting since the 1930s.

From October 15 to December 15, 1989, the Street Tree division plans to plant 4,000 new trees. Another 8,000 to 9,000 will be planted during the spring planting season between March 15 and May 15, 1990.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
''Somewhere 'out there,' beyond the walls of the courthouse,
run currents and tides of public opinion which lap at the courtroom door.''
William Rehquist
(b. October 24, 1924)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center