Inwood Hill Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, October 22, 2003

GREAT INWOOD HILL PARK FIELD DAY

It was the perfect day to be out of the classroom. Under bright blue skies and warm October weather, 600 New York City school children from 23 different schools in Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx joined Parks & Recreation’s Urban Park Rangers last Thursday, October 9 for The Great Inwood Hill Park Field Day.

The Great Inwood Hill Park Field Day was a celebration and a showcase of The Natural Classroom – the Urban Park Rangers’ innovative citywide environmental program. For these 600 students, it was a day of learning and fun. Sponsored by Parks & Recreation and BP America, Field Day was free of charge to the students and their teachers.

The day began with the students heading over to the soccer field to visit the Urban Park Ranger display tables showcasing the 10 Natural Classroom programs: Conservation, Ecology, Explorers, Ornithology, Native Americans, Botany, Geology, Entomology, Ichthyology, and Historic Houses. The Urban Park Rangers introduced the classes to each program with mini-lessons, colorful displays and hand-outs to take back to school and home.

Students were welcomed by Deputy Commissioner for Public Programs Kevin Jeffrey, BP Public Affairs Director John Curry, and Urban Park Ranger Director Sara Hobel before heading out to their respective Ranger-led Natural Classroom programs in various locations of the park.

When the students returned from the programs, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined them to talk about what they had just learned. With a Spectacled Owl perched on his arm, Commissioner Benepe stressed the importance of environmental education in City parks. Everyone was treated to a lunchtime performance with flying hawks and falcons.

For many of the students, representing public, private, and parochial schools, the Great Field Day marked their first introduction to The Natural Classroom. Developed in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, these programs introduce school children to the abundant natural resources available in their City parks and give New York City teachers tools they need to integrate environmental education into their classroom. The Natural Classroom programs are specifically designed to support student Performance Standards achievement in science, literacy and math.

Many of these students will likely be back in our City parks soon again. As one teacher from P.S. 98 noted: "Thank you so much for such a great day. It was so wonderful of you all to give them an introduction they will never forget and that will hopefully encourage them to come again with their families."

Parks & Recreation extends its condolences to the family of Supervisor of Fleet Administrator Matthew Meagher, whose mother, Helen Meagher passed away on Thursday, October 16. A memorial service was held on Monday, October 20. Mrs. Meagher is survived by four children.

Parks & Recreation extends its condolences to the family of City Parks Worker Nevio Delconte whose father, Bruno Delconte, passed away on Thursday October 16. A memorial service was held on Friday, October 17. Mr. Delconte is survived by two sons.

"Insanity is often the logic of an accurate mind overtasked."

(1809-1894)

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