Detective Keith L Williams Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Mets Manager Celebrates The Summer Sports Experience

Photo by Daniel Avila

On August 24, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and New York Mets Manager Willie Randolph joined neighborhood children who participate in the Summer Sports Experience to celebrate the success of this year’s program. The Summer Sports Experience is primarily funded by the Willie Randolph Foundation. Taniesha Randolph, the daughter of Willie Randolph and the Executive Director of the Willie Randolph Foundation, was also present at the event, which was held at Liberty Park in Queens.

The Summer Sports Experience is a youth development program that provides children, ages 7-15, in low-income areas with free, intensive, structured lessons in a variety of sports. Children learn fundamental skills in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, track and field, tennis, and more.

A pilot program offered at three City parks in 2006, the program expanded to 11 citywide sites in 2007. Each site offers half-day programs for three-week long sessions in July and August.

Willie Randolph and Commissioner Benepe joined the program’s coaches as they taught children in sports instructional clinics. At one point they participated in a soccer drill, stressing the importance of stopping the ball before striking it with the side of the foot. Willie Randolph also fielded questions from the children revealing that he enjoyed playing football as a youngster and that his favorite baseball team growing up was the Mets.

Including Liberty Park, the Summer Sports Experience is offered at St. Mary’s Park, Haffen Park, and Mullally Park in the Bronx; the Prospect Park Parade Grounds and Betsy Head Park in Brooklyn; East River Park and Jacob Schiff Park in Manhattan; Victory Field and Maurice Park in Queens; and Stapleton Playground in Staten Island.

In addition to being primarily funded by the Willie Randolph Foundation, the Summer Sports Experience is made possible with additional assistance from the New York Mets, the Heckscher Foundation for Children, Parks & Recreation, and the New York City Sports Commission.

Did you know that Job Opportunities for Parks employees can be accessed by phone? Dial 1-888-292-5653 to hear current vacancies, application deadlines and how to apply. The Job Hotline is updated weekly. Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

More opportunities to Grow at Parks are now posted on the intranet, internet and job hotline.

· POP Plus Employment Counselor (Community Associate)/TBD – 11770

· Chief of Staff to the Assistant Commissioner for Revenue and Marketing (Community Coordinator)/Arsenal – 11771

· Park Supervisor 2 (Park Supervisor)/TBD – 11772

· Outreach Coordinator (Community Associate)/TBD – 11773

· Director of Horticulture (Administrative Horticulturist)/Olmsted Center – 11774

· Deputy Director of Engineering (Associate Project Manager)/Olmsted Center – 11775

Remember to send cover letter and resume with the Vacancy Number to grow@parks.nyc.gov

"When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt."

(1882 – 1967)