Central Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, January 19, 2001

STATE OF THE PARKS 2001

design by Toby Allen

On New Year's Day 2000, Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern launched a thousand years of greenery by planting the Official First Tree of the Millennium, celebrating Parks' commitment to continued improvement in the 21st century. In the dawn of a new millennium, Parks has embraced technology in unprecedented ways, committed itself to preserving New York City history, and implemented exciting new programs to expand and enhance public services. Today some highlights of Parks' accomplishments and innovations for next year will be presented.

Today, Friday, January 19th, Commissioner Stern delivers his State of the Parks address at noon. In the spirit of the State of the Union and the State of the City, in the State of the Parks, Commissioner Stern will report on goals reached in the year 2000 and set the agenda for 2001. Among these he will announce for the first time new Parks initiatives.

Today is the 67th anniversary of the day Robert Moses took charge of the Arsenal and consolidated the borough parks departments into one city agency. Robert Caro describes the scene at the Arsenal in his book on Robert Moses, The Power Broker. "On January 18, 1934 Governor Lehman signed the legislation allowing Robert Moses to become the first commissioner of a citywide Park Department. At 5:00 P.M. that same day, Mayor La Guardia swore Moses into office at City Hall. The next morning at 9:00 A.M., a fleet of chauffered black Packards roared up to the curb on Fifth Avenue in front of the Arsenal. Out of them stepped Moses and a squad of his top Long Island aides. These men would be running the Park Department from now on, Moses announced." At 9:00 A.M. January 19th he entered the building. And by 12:00, we can imagine, the bags were unpacked.

Today's event will feature the cast from the long-running Off-Broadway musical Our Sinatra, a jazz band, videos, and even a flying squirrel. Spectacular work at Parks will be honored in the Emerald Awards that follow Commissioner Stern's remarks and accompanying presentation.

Thanks to all of the Parkies who organized today's event.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Friday, January 22,1988)

PHILADELPHIA RANGERS TOUR CENTRAL PARK

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If so, then the Urban Park Rangers must be blushing with pride under their formidable "Smokey the Bear" hats. Our Parks Ranger program - the first urban ranger program in the country-has been held up as a model for new programs nationwide, most recently for the Philadelphia Ranger Corps.

On Monday, January 11, the first class of Phildelphia Ranger Corps trainees were given the ground tour of Central Park by New York's own as the final phase of an eight-week orientation program. Joining the 40 rookie rangers from Philadelphia were Corps Director Peter Engbretson, Deputy Director Mary P. Kimmitt and Board Member Charles M. Weisman.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present."

Albert Camus (1913-1960)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center