Msgr. McGolrick Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, December 15, 2008

Parks Salutes Its Employees Of The Month (Part I)

The Commissioner’s Employee of the Month for October is Twywana Bush. Twywana is a Special Events Coordinator, and has been with Parks since May 28, 2004. Twywana works with Special Events and Marketing where she helps bring a wide variety of events, large and small, to our parks. Over the past year, her portfolio has included the Metropolitan Opera in Prospect Park and the Revlon Run/Walk. Twywana helped in the successful production of Street Games at Jackie Robinson Park and the Citywide Bocce tournament while also scheduling many bike races and running events in Central Park. Most recently, Twywana spearheaded operations for the Pumpkin Festival in Central Park including layout of the event, citywide staffing, and coordination with NYPD and the Central Park Conservancy. To draw additional youth involvement, Twywana invited our recreation centers and the Department of Education to participate in a citywide scarecrow contest. Despite the rainy weather, the event drew over 20,000 attendees, and was a huge success. Twywana continues to grow in her role and we look forward to her involvement in future events. She was nominated by Assistant Commissioner Betsy Smith.

Thomas Cirillo is the Capital Projects Employee of the Month for October. Thomas is an Assistant Landscape Architect with the Brooklyn Capital Team and has been with Parks since July 1, 2000. Thomas designs parks and playgrounds and has been aggressive in researching new design elements and materials. The adventure playground he designed for Gravesend Park captured the excitement of a theme park and has been well received. Opening last April, the new 20,000 square foot playground features changing elevations and slopes, rock climbing areas, and new play equipment types. Thomas is now working on a phase two at Gravesend, which will include a rebuilt roller hockey rink and new basketball and handball courts. In his spare time, Tom enjoys performing with his band at various venues throughout the city. For his effective design work and innovative efforts, Thomas was nominated by Brooklyn Team Leader, David Martin.

Antonios Michelakis is the Management Employee of the Month for October. Antonios is a City Planner and has been with Parks since May 23, 2006. Antonios began with Parks as an intern while studying for a Masters degree in urban planning at Hunter College. With degree in hand, he joined Parks full time. Antonios now tackles a variety of projects. He is often found checking and verifying park property records at the Municipal Archives, Department of Finance, and borough presidents’ offices. Antonios has also become fluent in the use of GIS. He is helping to clarify property boundaries for concessions and capital projects, and he also provides crucial mapping and research to combat property owners who encroach on City property. His work was critical in our recovery of public greenway land at Pugsley Creek Park where personal backyards had gotten out of control. Antonios is a smart, responsive and pleasant addition to Parks and was nominated by Colleen Alderson, Director of Parklands.

PARKIES HONOR PAUL CLINTON AT McGOLRICK PARK

On November 7, friends and colleagues of the late Parks Supervisor Paul Clinton paid tribute to his nineteen years of dedicated service in Parks & Recreation by planting a memorial garden in McGolrick Park. The garden, designed in consultation with the Clinton family and district supervisors with sector gardeners David Wysocki and John Burgess, featured a four season display of color and interest including fall flowering anemones, winter evergreen yews, cherry laurels, spring flowering tulips, daffodils, barberries, summer blooming roses, and perennial salvias.

Paul served as the lead supervisor at district 1, which has the largest number of properties in the borough. It was most recently awarded the Greenest District Award at the Best of Parks 2008 Ceremony for its 98% acceptable horticulture raiting. Districy 1 boasts volunteer-run gardens, community supported ball fields and neighborhood-sponsored greenstreets. In the spring, Paul’s family, including his wife Wanda and his children, Carol-Anne, Paul Jr., and Jasmine, will formally dedicate the garden in memory of this hard-working Parkie.

The garden is located at the entrance to one of the district’s flagship parks, at Russel and Driggs Streets.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“I like intelligent women. When you go out, it shouldn't be a staring contest.”

Frank Sinatra
(1915 – 1998)