Riverside Park

Parks And FlyNY Celebrate International Kite-flying Fun At Riverside Park

IMMEDIATE
Monday, May 11, 2009
No. 42
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

On Saturday, the Parks Department and FlyNY hosted architects, artists, community children and kite enthusiasts for an inaugural and international kite-flying extravaganza. Proceeds of the kite auction will benefit the New York Affiliate of Architecture for Humanity. The event was held at Riverside Park’s Pier 1.

“The FlyNY Kite Festival is wonderful introduction for new kite-flyers and an opportunity for skilled ones to show off their kites against the breathtaking backdrop of the Hudson River,” said Parks Commissioner Benepe. “We thank FlyNY for partnering with us for this new and exciting event. Kite-flying is one of the numerous and diverse activities park users can enjoy at parks in all five boroughs.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with New York City Parks & Recreation, and are hoping we and the kite competitors inspire an interest in creativity and design with the children who participate in the kite-making activities this morning,” said FlyNY co-director Hannah Purdy.

In the morning, FlyNY volunteers lead children’s kite-making and flying activities intended to spur conversations about the fundamentals of design. In the afternoon, competitors from around the world showcased their designs on the pier, where the strong winds coming off the Hudson River made for perfect kite-flying conditions. Judges included, among others, architect Michael Sorkin, Surface magazine cofounder Riley Johndonnell and Queens Museum of Art curator Erin Sickler. Metropolis Magazine will publish the top three designs in its June issue. Additional prize packages have been donated by Knoll, Equinox Fitness, Bumble & Bumble, Murray’s Cheese Shop, and more.

Award-winning kites will be auctioned off during a cocktail party and exhibition at the Knoll showroom in Chelsea on May 28. Proceeds will be donated to the New York Affiliate of Architecture for Humanity, a nonprofit service organization that contributes architectural design services to underserved communities in the New York metropolitan area.

For more information on FlyNY and the upcoming auction, please visit www.flyny.org.

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