Cunningham Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, March 27, 2002

GATOR SPOTTED IN CUNNINGHAM PARK

Ribbon-cuttings in parks and playgrounds usually involve shiny scissors in the hands of Parks and elected officials, but Monday’s event in Cunningham Park was unique. This time, a John Deere Gator 6x4 diesel-powered utility vehicle broke through the green ribbon.

On Monday, March 25, Parkies, Friends of Cunningham Park and elected officials shivered under a tent in Cunningham Park to celebrate the addition of a John Deere Gator to the Parks’ fleet. This new turf utility vehicle will join the 3 other Gators already hard at work in Queens. The Gator will be fully equipped with a 500-gallon water tank to water plants and flower beds, making it draught-efficient during this Stage 1 Draught Emergency, as declared by Mayor Bloomberg yesterday. The Gator’s sleek design and heavy duty tires make it ideal for maintaining Cunningham Park’s nature trails and its bright green paint job fits right in with the rest of the Parks’ fleet

Friends of Cunningham Park secured the J.M. Kaplan grant to fund the Gator. Speaking of the accomplishments of Friends of Cunningham Park, Commissioner Benepe said, "over the years they have not only helped keep the park clean and green, but their innovative programming enriches the lives of everyone in the neighborhood." At the event, Commissioner Benepe and the other officials climbed aboard the vehicle to take it for a test spin.

Cunningham Park has long history of transportation innovation. In 1908, the park was the site of the nation’s first automobile highway. During prohibition, rumrunners and bootleggers allegedly moved their wares along the road. In 1938, to the delight of walkers, joggers, and bicyclists, the street was closed and has been enjoyed by park patrons ever since.

Joining Commissioner Benepe at the ribbon-cutting was Borough Commissioner Richard Murphy, Council Member Jim Gennaro, Assembly Member Mark Weprin, President of Friends of Cunningham Park Marc Haken, and Community Board 8 member Martha Taylor.

(Wednesday, April 5, 1989)

BRONX PARKS HEADQUARTERS NAMED
FOR BOROUGH’S NATIVE AMERICAN PAST

A number of schoolchildren in the Bronx were treated to a variety of Native American sights and sounds yesterday, as more than 200 youngsters from local schools gathered in Bronx Park to pay tribute to the borough’s rich Indian legacy.

The tots, some wearing colorful Native American headdresses made of paper, marveled as Boy Scouts performed Indian dances and an authentic Parks totem pole and teepee were unveiled during a dedication ceremony to name the Bronx parks headquarters "Ranaqua."

"In life, as in a football game, the principle
to follow is: Hit the line hard."

Theodore Roosevelt
(1858-1919)