John V. Lindsay East River Park

Parks Celebrates Winter Jam NYC

IMMEDIATE
Monday, February 9, 2009
No. 10
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and representatives from the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), Red Bull and the Empire State Development gathered on Saturday, February 7, at East River Park for Winter Jam NYC.

“At Winter Jam, New Yorkers felt the exhilaration of winter activities here in the snow and fresh air of their very own East River Park,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Red Bull, Aura360 and the Olympic Regional Development Authority, this event was bigger than ever with a taste of winter sports at every corner of the park, from high-flying snowboarding to ice wall climbing, cross country skiing and more.”

“The NY State Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid is pleased to be partners with NYC Parks and Recreation for the Winter Jam event as we have for many years. Our snowmaking team from Gore Mountain prepared a wonderful backdrop for this year’s activities, laying down ample supplies of snow to have fun on,” said ORDA President & CEO Ted Blazer. “Skiing, snow shoeing and tubing highlighted the activities that we have provided with assistance of I Love New York. Winter Jam NYC is a great way to celebrate winter as we bring the great NY Ski Mountains to Manhattan”

“The New York State snow sport industry has a $1 billion impact on New York State’s economy and has a ski resort within one hour from every metropolitan area statewide. There has never been a better time to learn a snow sport, introduce your kids to the slopes or extend a weekend thanks to New York State’s winter promotions,” said Thomas Ranese, chief marketing officer of Empire State Development. “At a time when consumers are looking for destinations close enough to drive to with incentives that make the trek worth their while, New York State is offering hard-hitting deals that savvy travelers are demanding.”

At Winter Jam NYC, East River Park was a true winter wonderland, complete with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a snow sculpture contest, an ice wall and two rock-climbing walls. This year featured the return of the popular 70-foot long sledding flume, a professional snowboarding competition on Red Bull’s 90-foot Snowscraper. Participants got cozy with hot drinks in the Warming Hut and free snacks from New York State farmers and producers. Live performances included music by Apollo Run, Jenda Wight and Dujeous, plus trampoline acrobatics from The Skyriders.

Later in the afternoon, up-and-coming and Olympic-hopeful snowboarders took to the Snowscraper, the largest structure ever built in a city park for a special event, for the Future of Snowboarding Invitational hosted by Red Bull.

The East River Snow Park is cancelled for Winter Break on Monday, February 16 through Sunday, February 22. Spring came early and unseasonably warm temperatures mean no snow, but stay tuned for more opportunities for winter fun

The event was presented by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, I LOVE NEW YORK and Lake Placid. Sponsorship was provided by the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, Red Bull, Gore Mountain, Hunter Mountain, New York Family Sports, Pride of New York, I Ski NY, Metro and 98.7 KISS.

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