Prospect Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, September 6, 2002

MANHATTAN BLOOD DRIVE

Calling all eligible donors from the Arsenal, Arsenal West, Arsenal North, the Manhattan Borough Office, & The Central Park Conservancy. Please come to the Arsenal Gallery on September 17th and 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for the annual Parks Blood Drive. As blood donations have again dropped in the year since the tragedy, this is a tangible way to memorialize 9/11. Blood donors also get three hours of Comp Time.

For more information please contact:

Arsenal Heidi Peal (212) 360-3442
Arsenal North Luke Gebhard (212) 360-2776
Arsenal West Tharice Harris (212) 830-7984
Manhattan Borough Veronica Llanos (212) 408-0221

Written by Jeffrey Sandgrund

QUEENS BLOOD DRIVE

I wanted to remind all our regular blood donors that it's time once again for the Olmsted Center's (Flushing Meadows, Queens) Blood Drive. It will be held on Friday, September 20, 2002, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please remember to bring proper ID. It would be really wonderful if we were to get the response that we got at this time last year. A lot of new donors stepped up to occasion, but what they don't realize is that there is always an occasion! Hopefully we will never again be in such dire need, but let's not forget, there are always people out there in dire need of our blood. So please, if you did it before, please do it again and keep doing it. As I always say, it's much scarier to be the receiver than the donor; trust me I know! Beside the fact that you will be saving lives, don't forget you receive 3 hours blood time that you can bank and use at any time in the future! I would like to thank all the donors in advance, and I hope to see lots of new faces. If you have any questions, please call me at (718) 760-6620.

Written by Nathia Beltran, Olmsted Center's Blood Drive Coordinator

PLANT PROFILE
Diep Dang

Diep Dang came to the United States from Vietnam in 1979. While in Vietnam, Diep served with the American and South Vietnamese Armies in the Vietnam War.

Diep began his career in Parks in 1984 as a City Park Worker in Prospect Park. He has yet to take one single sick day, an astounding record. An extremely conscientious and hard working individual, Diep has received numerous awards including perfect attendance, Employee of the Month (twice), and the Davis-Stubbs award. Demonstrating love for his park, Diep donated the cash award from his Davis-Stubbs award to the Prospect Park Alliance.

In 1995, Diep received a promotion to Associate Park Service Worker to head up the sector fix-it crew. His diligence and work ethic are an invaluable resource and he consistently strives to make Prospect Park a beautiful and welcoming place for visitors.

Written by Michael Grattan

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(September 15, 1989)
P.S. 52 PLAYGROUND: PARADIGM OF PROGRESS

People power plus Parks Power equals progress. And no where has this formula proved more effective than in P.S. 52 Playground in the South Bronx.

Commissioner Stern joined Bronx officials, community leaders, and youngsters from P.S. 52 last Monday to break ground on the City's $1.1 million capital restoration of P.S. 52 Playground, a .92-acre park that enjoys the support of a dedicated volunteer group.

The restoration of the playground, located at the intersection of Legget and Kelly Avenues and Avenue St. John, will include the installation of new playground equipment, safety surfacing, game tables, benches, an amphitheater, handball walls, a spray pool, drinking fountains, and trees. Also included in the capital restoration is a parcel of land directly next to the playground, which Parks acquired in 1986. This previously abandoned .7-acre lot, will receive a new basketball court and amphitheater.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
''Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are,
and doing things as they ought to be done.''
Harriet Beecher Stowe
(1811-1896)