Prospect Park

Kids Cast A Line For Annual Fishing Contest Hosted By Macy’s

IMMEDIATE
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
No. 69
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Today, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s Senior Urban Planner Elizabeth Ernish, Prospect Park Alliance’s Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement Robyn Bellamy and Brooklyn Cyclones’ Sandy the Seagull joined the public at the 62nd annual Fishing Contest to participate in the fun sport while teaching kids about aquatic ecology at the Audubon Center in Prospect Park.

“The R.H. Macy Fishing Contest has brought hundreds of kids to the Prospect Park Lake for more than 60 years. Most people are unaware that Prospect Park hosts Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake and is the home of the largest concentration of largemouth bass in the entire state of New York,” said Parks Commissioner Benepe. “The lake provides a great introduction to marine life for New Yorkers of all ages. The kids and adults alike are always amazed to discover crackles, blueheads, yellow-rumps and other species of fish.”

The first participant to catch a fish was awarded a rod, reel combo and a tackle box by Commissioner Benepe and Senior Planner Ernish. Today's winner was 13-year-old Simon Yavdayev from Midwood and he hooked a 9-inch bass.

Since 1947, Macy’s has sponsored the Fishing Contest every year to encourage kids to appreciate Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake through fishing and education initiatives. The contest will occur daily between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from today through July 19. Children 15 years and younger are eligible and admission is free. All participants will be given equipment and instruction during the contest. Also during the event, kids can participate in interactive educational workshops such as Meet the Fish, Life in the Lake and Let’s Go Fishing.

The fishing fun continues this weekend with “Fish of Our Waters” on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. Kids can take a break from the fishing contest by learning about Brooklyn’s most famous fish at Lefferts Historic House. Prospect Park is home to at least 18 different types of fish such as the largemouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed sunfish.

To check out a video of the fishing contest, visit www.nyc.gov/parks/video.

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