Protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work here

For more information check out the Lo-Down

Park’s Department staff and workers renovated the soccer field at Grand and Broome – in house! Faster, cheaper and better built! Thank you!!

And thanks to:

Commissioner Silver for his leadership

Council Member Margaret Chin for her steady funding and guidance in support of all our Parks

Senator Daniel Squadron for keeping Park Equity in the forefront of political discourse

To everyone for showing up!

Host: Jane B.

Where: M’Finda Kalunga Garden (in Manhattan)

When: Thursday, Sep. 10, at 6:00 p.m.

Candles will be lit for peace: “No war with Iran.” 

Thanks Chyna for the help this summer!

Thanks to the Tenement Museum staffers ‘Garden Club’ tending the Forsyth Garden Conservancy GreenThumb Garden.

And thanks to Terese Flores and Mike Bifulco of Parks for all the help!

Join NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver and community leaders on Tuesday, September 8 at 11am as he cuts the ribbon at the newly renovated Lion’s Gate Soccer Field at Sara D Roosevelt Park.

The work of the field was done by Park’s workers – faster and less expensive than using outside contractors.

Commissioner Silver: “Parks are public, democratic spaces…” ….”I believe in the Mayor’s vision of equity.” (from an interview in Next City)

The Lion’s Gate Soccer field is located in Sara D. Roosevelt Park between Broome and Grand Streets, and Chrystie and Forsyth Streets. The event will be held in the center of the field.

 If you plan on attending, please RSVP by replying to Helen Yanolatos <Helen.Yanolatos@parks.nyc.gov>

(Photo: Mayor Di Blasio and Commissioner Silver in Seward Park)

From DNAinfo:

Officers will highlight points of interest and historic locations.

Detective Vincent Cheung, Community Affairs for the 5th Precinct, said they would look out for  bicyclists concerns and will make a note of any they find.

They start off at Canal and Forsyth streets (the south end of the Park).

Bring water bottles – bag check will be available – 5th Precinct.

Sept. 9, 2015

After Aotearoa native son Tama Waipara  performed at Rockwood Music Hall, he stopped by M’Finda Kalunga Garden (Auntie is Co-Chair of the Garden Jane Barrer).  He and musician friends – including the beloved Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika – played and sang informally while Jane organized a potluck and birthday party – They are quite an awesome family! 

Other goings on in the Park: The weekly CSA from Farmer Ted held on Thursday evenings in the  M’Finda Kalunga Garden, The Tenement Museum continues to re-plot the plots of GreenThumb’s Forysth Garden Conservancy (with Partnerships for Parks Kirsti Bambridge) and a wedding in the Garden…and the SkyWatch tower to be moved out (says the Commissioner of Manhattan Parks)…thank you!

From: The People’s Climate Movement National Day of Action for October 14

“We’ve built momentum for …. a dynamic day of action just six weeks before the Paris Climate talks. More than 120 national organizations and local groups are already committed to this effort, and more are joining every day. Our goal is to show leaders the diverse  support for bold action on climate that our movement demands.

From Seattle to Miami, communities are organizing to bring the reality of the climate crisis to the forefront in their cities. On October 14, organizations like yours — from climate justice to labor to faith-based to environmental groups and more — are coming together to demand urgent action on climate justice in a national day of actions.

On PeoplesClimate.org, your group can now easily post your own Oct. 14 event, or sign up to attend an event in your city. Together, we will create another national moment to call for immediate action on the urgent issue of climate change.

Last year, we showed the world that people from all walks of life are united for action on climate change in a big way. We also changed the nature of our movement by highlighting the voices of frontline communities exercising leadership on climate justice every day. This year, we’re showing our strength in neighborhoods, communities and cities throughout the country. Here are some of the ways you can get involved:

• Register events and join existing actions.
• Share this invite with your networks.
• Raise your voice with an op-ed for your local paper.
• Urge your elected leaders to take action on climate change.

There is no action too small or too big—and the more creative the better! Join us and be part of the growing People’s Climate Movement. Together, we’ll make a difference.

See you on October 14, 

Paul”

Our deepest appreciation to our NYC Parks Department!

From Helen Yanolatos (Deputy Chief of Staff to Manhattan Borough Commissioner Castro):

“We are happy to announce the latest improvement at Sara D Roosevelt Park – the installation of new artificial turf at the Lion’s Gate soccer field.

 ….The field will be reopened to the public on Monday. By using [Parks Department’s] own staff, we were able to complete this work much quicker (it took only eight days) and at considerable savings.

 As you know, this is the second soccer field in the park that has been renovated in recent months.”

Parks staff also completed repairs to the Rivington Playground’s jungle gym equipment.

(more repairs on the way for the swing set area).

Bob was interviewed for this Korean publication in his role as Head Gardener for M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden.

Bob also is the Coordinator for the Elizabeth Hubbard Memorial Garden in front of the BRC in Sara Roosevelt Park.