Central Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, November 13, 2003

PARKS & RECREATION SUCCESS STORY:
GREAT BLUE HERON RETURNS HOME

For the last two months, the Urban Park Rangers have been carefully watching a Great Blue Heron living at Central Park’s Harlem Meer. The body of water, just across Fifth Avenue from Arsenal North (home to the Urban Park Rangers) hosts many birds, fish, and other wildlife. It is also a site where the public can participate in catch-and-release fishing. The Great Blue Heron was being monitored because it appeared injured.

Last Thursday, November 6, Urban Park Rangers, including Wildlife Coordinator Yvonne McDermott and Central Park Ranger Gary Rozman, sought to catch the bird for closer examination. They used the least traumatic method possible, called a "mat trap," catching the bird when it walks on to a flat mat. The four-foot tall Great Blue Heron, whose sex is unknown, was immediately taken to Green Chimneys, a rehabilitator in Brewster, New York. It was discovered that the injury to the bird’s leg was caused by a fishing hook and line.

The wounds healed fast and the Great Blue Heron was returned to his Central Park home just a few days later on Monday, November 10. His homecoming was marked by a few of his friends and it was clear to all that he was happy to come home, and also a little hungry.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the former Parks & Recreation Borough Commissioner of the Bronx, George Sahr. George Sahr was also the former Director of Maintenance & Operations in Brooklyn and the Borough Director in Brooklyn, a position that would be called Brooklyn Borough Commissioner today.

George Sahr spent his career in Parks, taking his first job as park attendant in 1955. He slowly worked his way up the Parks & Recreation ladder, working in various positions including assistant gardener, gardener, and foreman. He eventually became one of the agency’s most beloved managers. Sahr was known as "Uncle George" and his down-to-earth attitude charmed parks patrons and staff members alike.

Pat Pompesello, former Parks & Recreation Commissioner, who was Sahr’s manager for many years, described Sahr as a driven, dedicated Parks employee. "He would work fourteen, sixteen hours a day. He was just always there. He loved his job."

"Honest labor bears a lovely face."

(1572-1632)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center