Randall's Island Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, June 18, 2003

THE SUN BREAKS THROUGH FOR 15^TH ANNUALPARKS FLEET SHOW

On May 28, Parks hosted the fifteenth annual Vehicle & Equipment Show on Randalls Island. Over 100 vendors were in attendance showing off the latest in lawn mowers, tree trimmers, beach cleaners, multi-purpose vehicles, garbage trucks, and other equipment. Along with trucks, vendors pitched a wide variety of products including sweet smelling "insect repellant" garbage bags, super sprays for cleaning bathrooms, and power tools for every occasion.

Parks & Recreation also featured the first of nearly 170 electric vehicles and carts that are being donated this year by three different manufacturers. Through the support of Toyota and the coordination of Jaycie Chitwood-Mason, Parks has received ten electric RAV 4 utility vehicles, all outfitted with global positioning systems (GPS) thanks to a pilot project with Vetronix. Toyota also donated two clean-air Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric vehicles to Parks & Recreation.

Through their Pathways program, General Motors is donating 72 electric carts to Parks for use citywide the next two summers. Rich Donavan and Charles Compagnini (shown above) of GM joined Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Chief of Operations Keith Kerman in introducing the first 25 carts at the show.

To round out the fleet, Barry Carr from Global Electric Motors (GEM) is working with Parks on a permanent donation of 79 utility electric carts. This donation will begin in June 2003. All told, over $700,000 worth of donated clean-air vehicles are coming Parks’ way this year and will help maintain and manage over 28,000 acres of city parkland.

As always, the fleet show was attended by a number of vendors currently doing business with Parks. These vendors include H. Barber & Sons, A&M Products, Chief Equipment, Empire Equipment Sales, E&T Plastics, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Grainger Industrial Supply, Hedco Equipment, John Deere, Malvese Equipment, Storr Tractor Trius, and Bruno GMC. Thanks to Dan Froehlich, Deputy Chief of Operations, for coordinating this year’s show and our donation program.

"I share no man’s opinions; I have my own."

(1818-1883)