Highland Park

Highland Park Community Development Corporation Honors Queens Parks Administrator

IMMEDIATE
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
No. 77
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

On June 30, Forest Park & Highland Park Administrator Debby Kuha received a Meritorious Service Award from the Highland Park Community Development Corporation (HPCDC). The HPCDC presented Debby with the award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and dedication to improving the quality of life for the families of Brooklyn and the Highland Park community.

“We are tremendously proud of Debby for receiving this award in recognition of her hard work and dedication to Highland Park,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “I would also like to thank the Highland Park Community Development Corporation for its commitment to promoting the vitality of the Highland Park neighborhood and the many invaluable services it provides to Brooklyn residents.”

The Highland Park Community Development Corporation is a grassroots neighborhood organization that seeks to alleviate the challenges associated with poverty, discrimination and urban living by providing innovative programs in youth leadership, education, drug abuse prevention and health-related services. Over the past seven years, HPCDC has provided children and families of Brooklyn with programs ranging from violence prevention, theater, dance and music lessons, organized sports and recreation teams to nutrition education, employment counseling and financial education.

Acquired in pieces over time, Highland Park took its present shape between 1906 and 1908, and quickly became a popular spot among residents of both boroughs. The park continues to play an important role in the community as a center for healthy recreational activity, natural learning and community events. Children's farm gardens act as hands-on classrooms. Barbecue areas serve as meeting grounds for mass celebrations, and numerous tennis courts, baseball fields, handball courts and basketball courts provide New Yorkers with safe, clean spots for athletic recreation.

One of the key goals of PlaNYC, the Mayor's far-reaching plan to fight global warming and create a more livable city, is to ensure that every New Yorker lives within a 10-minute walk of a park or open space. Highland Park in Queens is one of eight large parks being redesigned to help achieve this goal. As with all of these projects, the City holds listening sessions with community residents to incorporate their input into the design.

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