Central Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Parks' Summer Interns Tour Central Park

On June 18, 2012, Director of Arsenal Operations Gary Rozman led 33 Parks Interns on a tour of the southern end of Central Park. Over the course of the morning, Gary demonstrated his broad range of knowledge about the park as he touched on its geology, ecology, ornithology and history. Starting at The Arsenal, Gary highlighted features like the muskets in the railing and the art gallery, which allude to the building’s prior uses as an armory, and as a museum.

From the Arsenal, the interns went on to learn about the park’s geology. Stopping at one of Central Park’s giant rock formations, Gary described how these boulders are the products of receding glaciers from millions of years ago, noting that these rocks are the only “native” elements to Central Park. Next Gary introduced the interns to Balto, a statue commemorating the Siberian Husky who saved the town of Nome, Alaska by delivering antibiotics in near whiteout condition. As one of the most popular stops of the tour, the interns climbed atop the statue for a photo (pictured above).

After saying farewell to Balto, the interns took to the more ecological part of the morning as Gary stopped to point out the calls of the birds. Gary explained how Central Park offers some of the best bird watching in the country, due to its location in the crossroads of bird migratory routes. Gary also elaborated on the arboreal value of Central Park. Specifically, the park’s Elm population is one of the last remaining collections in the country—this once common tree was decimated in the second half of the 20th century by Dutch Elm Disease.

From there, the interns went on to the Imagine Monument. Stopping at Strawberry fields, the interns paid tribute at this shrine to John Lennon, and had a chance to take in the park’s serenity. Finally, Gary wrapped up the tour with a stop at Tavern on the Green for a picnic. Overall, this tour was a wonderful opportunity for our interns and we thank Gary for his contribution.

This tour represents just one example of the fantastic programming for our interns this summer. Parks’ dedicated Internship Coordinators Leslie Nusblatt and Elyse Mason have put together a wonderful series of events for our interns. With events like weekly lectures at Arsenal, a meet and greet with Commissioner Benepe, and a day of community service, our interns are sure to be kept busy. We thank them greatly for their contribution.

Written by Press Office Intern Harlan Pittell

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

Vincent Van Gogh
(1853-1890)

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Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center