Heckscher Playground

The Daily Plant : Friday, July 18, 2003

150^th ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRAL PARK JULY 19^th CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES

Bicycle Race with Children’s Fun Ride and Clinic - 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.

Watch a multi-lap bicycle race organized by the Century Road Club Association, followed by a cycling safety clinic and kids fun ride at 7:45am. At Ramble Parking Lot.

Central Park’s 150^th Birthday Run/Walk - 8:30 a.m.

The New York Road Runners Club will hold a 4-mile run/walk event; the start and finish will take place along the 72^nd Street Cross Drive.

Central Park’s 150^th Birthday Kids’ Races - 10:00 a.m.

The New York Road Runners Club will hold races for children between the ages of 2 –12 along the 72^nd Street Cross Drive.

42^nd World Archery Championships- 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at North Meadow

Come and watch Olympic and World Champions compete for the gold in the 42^nd World Archery Championships. For the first time ever in New York City, the world’s top-ranked archers will go head-to-head in archery’s most important bi-annual event.

Information Tables - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Discovery Hunt Books, maps and a schedule of events will be distributed. Information tables will be located at: Columbus Circle, Grand Army Plaza, E.72^nd St, W.72^nd St., E.79^th Street (3 Bears), W.81^st St., E.90^th St., W.100^th St., E. 106^th St., 110^th St. and Lenox Ave.

The Revolutionary War Encampment: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Great Hill.

Everyday life in a Revolutionary War camp is demonstrated through various hands-on activities, including open fire cooking, medical care, and spinning and weaving.

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The City Parks Foundation will host a number of events in and around the historic Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre throughout the day, including guided tours of the theatre and puppet shows.

Croquet and Lawn Bowling at the Lawn Sports Center: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The public can try their hand at Lawn Bowling and Croquet. Participants must wear sneakers or other flat-footed heels on the greens. Located at Sheep Meadow.

Central Park PAWS Celebrates Central Park’s 150^th Birthday - 10:15 a.m.

The Central Park PAWS will organize a dog parade and birthday party at Cherry Hill located off of the 72^nd Street Cross Drive. Parade starts at Cherry Hill.

New York City Police Department Band: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The New York City Police Department band will perform at Bethesda Fountain and will be a part of the 150^th Anniversary birthday cake cutting at Bethesda Terrace.

Birthday Cake at Bethesda Terrace (Press Event) - 11:00 a.m.

A ceremonial cake cutting of a beautiful cake replicating the Bethesda Fountain by Sylvia Weinstock. Renowned tenors, Marcelo Alvarez and Salvatore Licitra, will sing happy birthday.

Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

There will be a storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen statue at the foot of East 74^th Street.

Young Performers Theatre’s The Real Mother Goose: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Come meet the "real" Mother Goose at Heckscher Playground. Suitable for children ages 2-8.

Book Signing at the Dairy Visitors Center and Gift Shop: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sara Cedar Miller, the author of Central Park, An American Masterpiece will host a book signing at the Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

Walking Historical Tour of Central Park: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Urban Park Rangers will host a historical tour of Central Park. Highlights will include The Ramble, Bow Bridge, and Bethesda Terrace. Tours commence at Belvedere Castle.

Playground Parties: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Playground Parties will host performances of juggling, miming, magic, and bubble blowing. They will be held at: Billy Johnson, Levin, E. 96^th, Bendheim, Heckscher, Adventure, Spector, Safari, Rudin, E. 110^th.

The Great Hill Tour: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Great Hill

Margery Laird will host a tour that will introduce participants to the natural and cultural history of the Great Hill and North Woods environments.

Marcelo Alvarez and Salvatore Licitra in Concert: 8:00 p.m. at Great Lawn

The birthday celebration will conclude with a night of opera as acclaimed tenors Marcelo Alverez and Salvatore Licitra perform for the first time together in the United States. This concert is free and open to the public. Seating is on the lawn so bring a blanket.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The only credential the city [New York] asked was the boldness to dream.
For those who did, it unlocked its gates and its treasures,
not caring who they were or where they came from."

Moss Hart
1904-1961)