Thomas Jefferson Park

New Yorkers Kicked It Old School At Street Games 2011

IMMEDIATE
Monday, May 9, 2011
No. 28
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Thousands of New Yorkers visited the 1960s and ’70s and played classic street games including double dutch, pogo sticking, hula-hoops, and lemon twist with thousands of New Yorkers. Parks’ Pearl the Squirrel, WABC-TV’s Carolina Leid, and the Knicks’ John Starks were on hand to lead the fun!

“Street Games is a throwback to a time before i-gadgets and internet, when having fun meant making friends and sweating a little,” said Commissioner Benepe. “. All the games and activities at Street Games, from double dutch to stickball, can be played at almost all city parks and take no time to learn! I’d like to thank Disney for being our partner since the event made its debut in 2007, and all our sponsors for helping us kick it old school again in 2011.”

Street Games brings back the classic street games from the '60s and '70s and introduces them to a new generation with a modern twist! New Yorkers of all ages tried pogo sticks, double-dutch, hula hoops, and yo-yos while listening to the sound of Motown, Rock ‘N’ Roll, and Soul. The event also featured a special performance by The Dance Theater of Harlem. Participants also learned about healthy foods, different ways to prepare things, and the benefits that different foods provide at the Healthy Eating Zone.
New activities to the event included soccer clinics and a Sky Bounce handball clinic. Participants brought their bikes and learned to ride with Parks Department bicycling experts. New Yorkers also told their stories at the Broadcastr booth, a new social-media platform available free on iPhone, Android and the web that lets users stream stories recorded by real people at places all over New York City and the country!

Street Games 2011 was presented by The Walt Disney Company, parent company of WABC-TV, ESPN, & Radio Disney who were all represented at Saturday’s event. Event sponsors also included the New York Knicks Groove Truck, Cabot, 98.7 KISS FM, Open Road, and the New York Post. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Check out the It’s My Park! episode at www.nyc.gov/parks/video to see what Street Games is all about!

- 30 -