Riverside Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, May 17, 2007

A Whole New Meaning To SUV

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

On May 4, Parks showcased a new addition to its green fleet: the city’s first solar powered vehicle. BP America donated two Solar Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to Parks. BP Solar Technology uses a photovoltaic cell, which converts light energy into electrical energy that powers the vehicle’s battery. These SUVs are extremely environmentally friendly, as they do not use any fossil fuels. Even an electric GEM cart creates some pollution from the electrical power that charged its batteries. Since these solar powered units do not need to be charged from the electric grid, they will be true zero pollution vehicles. These utility vehicles will be used to assist with maintenance in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Riverside Park.

Parks is actively involved with Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC initiative to clean the City’s air and is dedicated to "cleaning our fleet." Parks is the first City agency to use biodiesel agency-wide—all 650 of our trucks that used diesel fuel now use 20 % biodiesel (B20). B20 is a blend of 20% biodiesel made from

soybeans and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel. Parks will pilot B50 in one borough this summer. We are also installing emission reduction equipment such as diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters on many of our vehicles. The diesel particulate filters will remove up to 95% of harmful particulate matter that contributes to asthma.

By the end of 2007, we will operate 487 alternative light duty vehicles, including 128 hybrid sedans and utilities. In addition, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling sites will soon be operational at our Central Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park

garages. To take advantage of this new capacity, Parks recently purchased 20 CNG Honda Civics, recognized as the cleanest car in America according to the EPA. We will also procure a CNG tram for Fort Totten Park and two CNG street sweepers as part of our effort to green our work vehicles.

If you’d like to see these and other new types of equipment, including a solar powered lawn mower, join us on May 22, 2007 as Parks hosts its 19th Annual Vehicle and Equipment Show on Randall’s Island. Over 130 vendors will present the latest in light and heavy-duty vehicles, including clean and alternative fuel technologies.

Yesterday, Commissioner Benepe and his wife, Charlotte Glasser, were honored at 1 Police Plaza by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly with civilian commendations for their actions in helping police to stop a crime in progress. Last Saturday night, at 7:30 p.m., a woman walking on West 97th Street near Riverside Drive was pushed to the ground and her handbag containing a purse was stolen. She began chasing the suspect and screaming for help. Commissioner Benepe and Charlotte Glasser were on the park side of Riverside Drive, exiting the 97th Street Playground. Charlotte called 911 and went to the woman's assistance while Commissioner Benepe ran a pursuit of the man, who was running south on Riverside Drive with a handbag in his hands. He chased him onto West 95th Street, and was able to apprehend and detain the suspect until police arrived minutes later. In the meantime, other passersby had helped gather the woman's belongings, apparently dropped by the suspect during his flight. Officers from the 24th Precinct arrived within minutes to arrest the suspect.

Commissioner Benepe thanked Commissioner Kelly for the honor, praising the men and women of the Police Department for reducing crime to historic lows across the City and in its parks. He also said, "the Police could do their job more effectively if more New Yorkers got involved by calling 911 to report crimes in progress and by otherwise assisting Police and other law enforcement officials," though he cautioned that citizens should always use their best judgment and maintain their own safety.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so.”

John Stuart Mill
(1806 – 1873)

Know Before You Go

Riverside Park

West 79th Street Boat Basin

Riverside Park (79th Street)