Randall's Island Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, May 5, 2003

A ROYAL WELCOME FOR A NEW GARDEN

On Tuesday, April 29 Hanover Square in lower Manhattan filled with people from the other side of the pond. Brits and Americans alike gathered to celebrate the launch of a project to build a commemorative garden in the historic square. This project is expected to be complete in 2004, transforming the .056 acre concrete square into a beautiful garden.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, graciously attended the event and was joined by Consul General Sir Thomas Harris, Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol Commissioner Marjorie Tiven, and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

"The British have a rich tradition of horticulture," said Commissioner Benepe. "I look forward to the day when this concrete plaza is replaced by a harmoniously designed garden."

The garden is intended as a living memorial and as a place of solitude, comfort, and reflection. It will serve as a focal point for the British nationals who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center, as well as the many thousands of British servicemen and others who gave their lives alongside their American comrades in the wars against tyranny and oppression.

Now that the Yanks and Mets have successfully begun a new season, its time for Parkies to ready their own teams for Parks Softball. In its ninth year, the Parks League has been dominated in the last three by a Manhattan club with dynastic ambitions. Once dominant Bronx and Brooklyn will be looking to regain their lost championship forms, while the citywide divisions of the Arsenals, UPS and Capital, will be striving toward their first league victories.

As usual, competition will begin in the first week of June. All games are at 6 p.mp sharp, Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, at field 6 or field 20, Randalls Island. The season schedule will be ready on May 19.

All interested boroughs and divisions should e-mail Keith Kerman by May 9 to enter a team. The league is co-ed, slow pitch and open to all full time and active seasonal employees. Thanks and see you there.

Past Champions: 1995-Brooklyn, 1996-Brooklyn, 1997- Bronx, 1998-Manhattan, 1999-Bronx, 2000-Manhattan, 2001-Manhattan, 2002-Manhattan.

"Oh for a book and a shady nook, either in door or out."

(d. 1889)