Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, May 7, 2001

CAPITAL’S DESIGN FOR MCKIBBIN PARK RECEIVES ART COMMISSIONER EXCELLENCE AWARD

Congratulations to the designers of McKibbin Park, whose work received an Art Commission Award for Excellence in Design on April 26, 2001. With 1,130,000 in funds from Mayor Rudy (Eagle) Giuliani and Council Member Victor L. Robles, the reconstruction of McKibbin Park is expected to be completed this fall, giving life to Alecksandra Szefke's imaginative design, and the creative work of her team.

Whether tunneling through streams of water or entering subway turnstiles for a ride through an imaginative play world, the little visitors to the new McKibbin Park will undoubtedly enjoy this whimsical interpretation of their surrounding urban environment. The theme of this creative and thoughtfully designed park ties into the surrounding urban fabric by incorporating elements of the city into the park. The immediate neighborhood is industrial, filled with old warehouses slowly being converted into livable spaces, and this industrial, urban flavor is reflected in the park.

A subway stop at the edge of the site and the proposed new city water tunnel #3 are inspirations for the main features of the park. The subway line runs diagonally under the site, as will the water tunnel. These lines were brought to the surface and used as guidelines for the layout of park. The layout is thus skewed off axis to reflect these diagonals. The result is an exciting, dynamic space that reflects the dynamism and motion of the city.

The subway is referenced as the children run through the entrance and exit of the subway themed play area. The north arrow rosette is a subway token that reads "Good For One Play." The alignment of the water tunnel also inspired a water play feature composed of water sprayed in arches to form a tunnel-like space. It is situated in the park along the tunnel diagonal, and children can leap across the water to an area where musical chimes await their composing.

An artistic fence runs along the park edge to screen an unsightly concrete wall. Alternating panels consist of laser cut steel in images of a variety of neighborhood scenes. Between the art panels are perforated metal panels. The fence posts are heavy tapered I-beams with large, visible screws. The fence contributes to the modern flavor of the park; the articulated structure reflects the surrounding industrial built environment.

The park name was recently changed from McKibbin Park to Gilbert Ramirez Park, in celebration of Gilbert Ramirez, a Supreme Court Judge and community leader in Williamsburg and Bushwick before his passing in December of 2000. Ramirez advocated for a government that would provide improved services and increased opportunities for Latino and African American populations of these communities.

The new Ramirez Park reflects the city in which it is situated by incorporating elements of utilities, transportation, and the built environment. It reminds us of the excitement and motion of the diverse urban activity, both above and below ground, and it will give children another fun way to explore their city.

Anyone who wishes to visit the new playground will find it on McKibbin Street between White and Bogart Streets in Brooklyn. There they can enjoy the good work of Aleksandra (Olcha) Szefke Project Manager, Oliver (Twist) Corwin Graphic Designer; Peter (Paw) Wolpensinger, Supervisor for Structural Engineering; Yelena Lyubarskaya, Environmental Engineer; Magary Aime, Supervisor for Electrical Engineering, Patricia (Outside) Clark, Landscape Designer, Renata (Mermaid) Sokolowski, Landscape Designer; Steven Whitesell Specifications and Estimates Writer, Dennis Toole completed the Cadd work and Thomas (Tree Guy) Stofka, Director of Brooklyn Forestry, Bhagroo Gurdat, Surveyor; and Margarita Karpman Surveyor.

By Jen (Juggler) Slaw

For more information visit the Capital Project of the month web site.

CONGRATULATIONS CORPORATE CHALLENGERS

Congratulations to the Parkies who took corporate American on a swift tour of Central Park. 11,000 New Yorkers took part in the Corporate Challenge on Tuesday, May 1, 2001. Parkies, with the homecourt advantage, strode swiftly alongside lawyers, teachers, and investment bankers. The Parkies who completed the 5k stretch were: Jarrod (Orange) Agen; Steven Armstrong; Brian (Oakman) Aucoin; Sarah (Manx) Aucoin; Andrew Chazen; Jake (Red Rock) Cooper; Mike (Satellite) Dockett; Robert (Iceman) Garafola; Raymundo (World) Gomez; Sara (Whisperer) Hobel; Jon (Cosmo) Jadrosich; Marcha Johnson; Harris (Phillippedes) Kaplan; Keith T. (Kermit) Kerman; Amy Kleitman; Katie (Catalan) Langhammer; Bob (Mizzou) Lawson; Nadine (Brassica) Lehrer; James (Black Fly) Lemyre; Peter (Commodore) Lovett; Robert (Scipio) McDermott; Anissa (The Kid) Nachman; Douglas (Ogden) Nash; Darah (Chance) Ross; Mario Ross; Jane (Doe) Rudolph; Maddan (Take over) Sahairan; KC (Jones) Sahl; Rachel Stober; Johnny (Wagster) Swagerty; Hope (Tomato) Temple; Frank Tito; and Andrew (AWACS) Wilson.

Sign up by May 11 for the next run on June 20. For application information, please contact Robert Lawson at (212) 360-1309. Thanks to him and KC Sahl for organizing Parks' Challengers.

THIRTEEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, May 9, 1988)

NEW YORK KIDS ON STAGE PRESENTS
AUDITIONS FOR "MOLIERE FESTIVAL"

New York Kids On Stage, Parks' free theater program for teens, will hold citywide auditions in June for the "Moliere Summer Festival." Works by the famous 18th century French comic playwright to be featured in the festival will include "Scapin." "The Doctor in Spite of Himself," "The Imaginary Invalid" and "The Forced Marriage."

Youngsters aged 13 to 17 should prepare a song, dance, or monologue for the audition. No prior theater experience is necessary. The Moliere plays will be performed at recreation centers throughout the five boroughs in August.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Concrete is, essentially, the color of bad weather."

William Hamilton

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center