Central Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, April 12, 2001

PARKS’ BIGGEST TOURNAMENT IS A SPECTACLE OF TALENT

Photos by Spencer (Flasher) Tucker

The Millenium Tournament is unique among Parks events. With 1,800 basketball players from 16 centers competing from February to April, it's is the biggest tournament we offer.

The eight teams that competed in this year's finals, whittled down from the original 188, represented the cream of the competition. On Saturday April 7, 2001, they were rewarded for a season of dedicated drilling, dribbling, passing, and shooting. Coaches, parents, and Parks Recreation staff were likewise rewarded for their months of hard work. Robert (Iceman) Garafola, Second Deputy Commissioner; Laura (Devil Dog) Gili, Queens Chief of Recreation; Lisa (Kita) Cooney, Staten Island Recreation Director; Joann (Ms. Go Getter) Ciorciari, Center Manager, Lost Battalion Hall; Aaron (Ghinda) Greenberg, Central Athletic Coordinator; Geoff (Silk) Huston, Bronx Athletic Coordinator; James (Buddy) Keaton, Brooklyn Athletic Coordinator; Marc (DJ Mumbles) Rogers, Manhattan Athletic Coordinator; Jessica Cherry, Queens Athletic Coordinator; Central Recreation staff; and all of the site coordinators greased the gears that made the 2000-2001 basketball season and the Millenium Tournament a success.

The Millenium Tournament finals, held at Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center in Queens, reflected the spectrum of activity that takes place at Parks' centers. Punctuating the breaks between Saturday's games, were performers from Lost Battalion Hall's brand new dance and cheerleading squads. The center also offers boxing, Olympic weightlifting, and a variety of classes for members at all stages of the lifecycle. Visitors to the finals had the chance not only to see quality basketball, but to learn about the range of programs run by Parks. Traveling from center to center, from February to April, young athletes visited all five boroughs, meeting and befriending kids from other school and centers. Hopefully, the experience encouraged them to keep exploring.

The City Parks Foundation generously funded the sixth year of the tournament, previously known as Niketown. Through former Parkie Todd (Maccabi) Jacobson, the NBA donated hats, waterbottles, towels, and keychains, and the Knicks brought their entertainment van to Lost Battalion Hall. Just in time for the finals, the center was equipped with air conditioning, a new development that should allow for a whole summer of millenium-style fun.

COME RUN, COME ALL

Come join the NikeTown Run for the Parks, presented by Parks, City Parks Foundation, and NikeTown New York on Sunday, April 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. Kids races begin at 9:00 a.m.. Proceeds from the run will benefit City Parks Foundation's free recreation programs for kids in parks and playgrounds in all five boroughs. The 4-mile course will loop through Central Park, beginning and ending at Tavern on the Green. The entry fee is $13, or $17 on race day for adults and $6 for children. For more information or to obtain an application, please call City Parks Foundation at (212) 360-1399.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, April 18, 1988)

FITNESS WORKSHOP TUESDAY AT ARSENAL

Parks will present a fitness workshop with Dr. Jane Katz, fitness and aquatics specialist on Tuesday, April 19 at 12:15 p.m. at the Arsenal Gallery, located inside Central Park at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue on the Third Floor. The workshop is free and open to Parkies and the public.

During the 30-minute program, Dr. Katz will demonstrate various exercises from her latest book. Fitness Workshops! A Blueprint for Lifelong Experience. The workshop will cover the use of a fitness training log: the importance of monitoring pulse rates during exercise and the benefits of a balanced diet.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"No athlete is crowned but in the sweat of his brow."

St. Jerome (c. 342-420)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center