St. Mary's Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, June 6, 2012

St. Mary’s Recreation Center Becomes Even Greener

Photo by Daniel Avila

On May 18, First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh joined Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Chief Energy Management Officer Ariella Maron, New York Power Authority (NYPA) Vice President for Energy Efficiency Paul Belnick, students from P.S. 230 and P.S. 161, and Parks employees to cut the ribbon on a $1.38 million green retrofit of the St. Mary’s Recreation Center and highlight the strides that Parks has taken toward becoming a more sustainable agency.

This renovation was managed by DCAS Energy Management, implemented by NYPA and funded through PlaNYC. The project included replacement of the St. Mary’s existing light fixtures with new, highly efficient lights equipped with photocell and motion sensors so that they automatically turn off when there is sufficient daylight or when the facility is not in use, replacement of the facility’s steam traps, new energy-efficient pool motors, the installation of a motorized insulated pool cover to reduce evaporation and therefore water heating demands, and the installation of a vestibule at one of the building’s front doors to reduce the loss of conditioned air to the building’s exterior. The next phase of improvements, expected to begin later this year, will include a solar thermal system on the roof to supply the Center’s hot water. In total, these energy conservation measures are expected to reduce annual energy costs at St. Mary’s by $169,000 and annual greenhouse gas emissions by 406 metric tons.

The celebration at St. Mary’s coincided with Parks’ agency-wide Tune-Up Week to encourage energy conservation and make a concerted effort to perform maintenance work such as air conditioner tune-ups at recreation centers and other facilities. Here are a few highlights from the week.

• $30K in energy efficient air conditioners were delivered to recreation centers to replace old units.
• The first full retrofit of a comfort station with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs was completed in Manhattan. A typical LED bulb lasts five times longer than a compact fluorescent (CFL) and uses half as much electricity.
• Parks’ Green Gurus distributed thumb drives with energy tips to staff in addition to tire pressure gauges to promote fuel conservation.
• Over 80 Parkies tuned-up their Green Pledges or rode their bikes to work

These improvements are part of a larger effort by the Parks Department to use resources more efficiently and reduce the impact that our facilities have on the environment. Recent measures include text-message triggered ballfield lighting, green roofs and reflective paint coated “cool roofs,” and the weatherization and insulation of many of our buildings. To learn more about sustainability at NYC Parks and pick up a few green tips for yourself, visit nyc.gov/parks, and search for keyword: “Sustainable Parks.”

St. Mary’s Recreation Center was the first indoor recreation facility to open in New York City. After World War II, Parks Commissioner Robert Moses inaugurated a citywide recreation program to provide the most congested city neighborhoods with places to play and socialize in cold weather months. Opened within St. Mary’s Park in 1951, this facility served as the pilot project for eight other centers located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.

Today, the Parks Department oversees the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout New York City, including more than 30 recreation centers which offer facilities such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. Senior membership is $25 per year, kids under 18 are free, and adults can join for only 41 cents per day!

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle.”

Dwight Eisenhower
D-Day, June 6, 1944

Know Before You Go

St. Mary’s Recreation Center

St. Mary's Recreation Center Pool