"This complex is fast becoming a premier competition and practice facility, providing a home and training ground for children, high school students, collegiate and professional athletes, as well as an extraordinary year-round resource for the Staten Island community," said Commissioner Silver. "The Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex will rival any in the nation and joins Carl Icahn Stadium as New York City's premier regional competition and practice facilities."

"We are proud to have partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation, our Local Elected Officials and Community Stakeholders for ribbon-cutting of the Ocean Breeze Indoor Athletic facility. Today professional athletes, students and community members will have access to a state of the art facility with a premier IAAF certified track right in their own neighborhood. In continuing Mayor Bill de Blasio's vision for a healthy, sustainable city, we are committed to providing well-designed, safe environments that enhance our communities and contribute to the City's growth," said Commissioner Pe-Mora.

"This is truly an exciting day Staten Island. Not only will this facility put Staten Island on the map within the track and field community by allowing us to play host to important sporting events, but it will it will also fill a real year-round need for Staten Islanders who are interested in improving their health and wellness at an affordable price in a convenient location," said Borough President Oddo. "For those who have yet to visit this facility, prepare to be amazed and impressed. It is truly one of a kind in the city. For those who have been on the fence about making lifestyle changes to improve your fitness, now is as good a time as ever to get started at this brand new, state of the art facility."

The 135,000 square-foot Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex can host a range of competitions from local Staten Island school races, to elite level meets, to large regional events. The 200 meter Mondo track has eight lanes, six of which can be hydraulically banked up to a 4.5 foot incline for elite competition. Additional field space is designated for two long jump pits, one pole vault, a high jump, and two weight throwing areas. The complex can seat 2,500 spectators and has commanding views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and even the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan.

The $112 million facility was funded through Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative along with additional funding provided by the Borough President's Office and the City Council. The building was designed by Sage and Coombe Architects and construction was managed by DDC. In keeping with the City's sustainability goals, the City is seeking a LEED Silver rating for the building and has incorporated features to conserve energy and water into the design. Sustainable features for the building include geothermal heating and cooling, displacement ventilation, harvesting of storm water to recharge surrounding wetlands, a "cool" roof and recycled materials. In addition, the building will take advantage of the cool ocean breezes to provide natural ventilation for the majority of the year. Natural daylight harvested through skylights, windows, light shelves and clerestories will either eliminate or supplement the necessity for artificial lighting much of the time. The adjacent sand dunes, wetlands, grasslands and shrub forest comprising much of Ocean Breeze Park have been preserved.

This facility also now serves as NYC Parks' 36th Recreation Center. Annual membership for adults ages 25 - 61 is $100; for Seniors and Young Adults ages 18 - 24 the annual membership fee is just $25; and access is FREE for all youth under the age of 18. The complex has already begun hosting free programming for youth and members and organized its own youth track team known as the Ocean Breeze Wave Runners.

For more information on scheduling track meets at the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex and events email oceanbreeze@parks.nyc.gov. For information about NYC Parks' Recreation Center membership visit our website or call (718) 351-7923.

The facility is also the new home to an inspirational art installation, Skycycle, by artist Paul Villinski. The piece depicts three flying bicycle sculptures which are now suspended in a climbing attitude with wings slightly banked to communicate a feeling of ascending in the stairwell. The piece is part of NYC's Department of Cultural Affairs' Percent for Art program.

Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex is located on a 10-acre parcel of the 110-acre Ocean Breeze Park. It includes part of a 26-acre parcel of state parkland that was transferred to the city in December 2009 to be part of Ocean Breeze Park. Former New York State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash worked with the city to move this project forward.

The master plan for Ocean Breeze Park was a winner of the 2010 New York American Society of Landscape Architects awards and the Track & Field Complex was also a winner of the 2010 annual award for Excellence in Public Design, awarded by the New York City Public Design Commission.

"We are enormously grateful to the thousands of volunteers, sponsors, and partners who donated time, energy, and funding to make MillionTreesNYC so successful," said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, FAICP. "MillionTreesNYC was an unprecedented initiative in New York City and has become a renowned greening model used internationally. It has led to a host of valuable research regarding urban greening efforts and has transformed acres of parkland and streets into new, ecologically healthy, multi-story forests that provide benefits to all New Yorkers. Through the Mayor's Community Parks Initiative (CPI), we will continue to make strides in creating an environmentally equitable city, engage New Yorkers in their parks in new and exciting ways, and reimagine our open spaces together."

"I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for helping us build a more resilient, greener city for all New Yorkers. This one millionth tree highlights what New Yorkers can do when we work together for the greater good of our city, and is a strong example of the impact that volunteers are having in and around our communities every day," said Mayor de Blasio. "Today is a major achievement in this city's vision for a healthier, more sustainable city, and one that we are carrying forward through OneNYC."

"We planted tree number one just down the road eight years ago and we've added one million more thanks to the dedication of so many: Mayor de Blasio and his team who carried the work through, our founding partner Bette Midler, the New York Restoration Project, dozens of members of our Administration and more than 50,000 volunteers," said 108th Mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg. "Each new tree planted makes our city a little more beautiful, the air we breathe a little cleaner, and our carbon footprint a little smaller. MillionTreesNYC was an important part of our comprehensive sustainability plan, which has led to New Yorkers breathing the cleanest air our city has had in 50 years. We worked extremely hard to expand and strengthen our parks, particularly in low-income communities. Seeing tree number one million take root is something we can all be proud of."

New York Restoration Project Founder Bette Midler said "There are now one million more reasons why New York is the greatest city in the world. Nine years ago, planting one million trees was a far-fetched idea. Today, we've done the impossible. One million trees means that every single New Yorker has a little more green space in their life. I've always loved this city, but I've never been more proud to call it home. Tonight, we're lighting the Empire State Building, New York's most beloved skyscraper, in forest green to symbolize the city becoming more sustainable and a healthier place for all of its citizens."

MillionTreesNYC is a public-private partnership between NYC Parks and Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, through which one million new trees were planted and cared for throughout the City's five boroughs. The initiative was a key aspect of NYC Parks' mission to create a healthier, greener, and more equitable city. MillionTreesNYC expanded the City's urban forest by nearly 20 percent, providing New Yorkers with important health, economic and environmental benefits, and created a more sustainable urban environment. Since its launch in October 2007, public, private and non-profit organizations have rallied nearly 50,000 citizen volunteers to plant trees in what has become an unprecedented tree planting campaign and urban environmental movement. To learn more about getting involved in NYC Parks' greening and stewardship efforts, visit www.nyc.gov or call 311.

This initiative would not have been possible without the support of dedicated presenting sponsors including TD Bank, Toyota, and Jet Blue, as well as the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, Bloomberg Philanthropies, David Rockefeller and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, BNP Paribas, The Home Depot, American Express, Con Edison, CIT, US Forest Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Wells Fargo Foundation, Tiffany & Company Foundation, and Citigroup, Inc..

Mayor Bloomberg allocated more than $350 million towards this monumental effort through the PlaNYC initiative and NYRP contributed an additional $30 million through private funding. Today, Mayor de Blasio is moving the City's sustainability and resiliency vision forward through OneNYC, a plan for a strong and just city. Together with all New Yorkers, the de Blasio administration is acting on its plan for growth, sustainability, resiliency, and equity. Thanks to additional funding remaining in the budget, the City will continue to aggressively plant new trees, exceeding the one million already planted by planting an additional 150,000 new trees over the next three years. The City is also developing new strategic tree planting targets, including working with the Office of Sustainability to combat heat islands, working with DEP on stormwater mitigation and bioswales, and in Mayor de Blasio's new OneNYC initiative Parks without Borders, which envisions a seamless public realm that improves access to public space and uses trees to create green pathways and boundaries.

"Oakland Lake is a breath of fresh air in the middle of New York City," said Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "And just in time to take in the fall foliage reflecting on its calm waters, visitors can now enjoy restored pathways and new native plantings. We're thankful to Borough President Katz and the City Council for supporting one of Queens' most pristine natural areas."

"Oakland Lake has provided Queens residents and visitors with an oasis of tranquility in the midst of our densely populated Borough and City," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. "This $1.6 million reconstruction project has enhanced Oakland Lake into an even more pleasant experience for our growing families."

"Oakland Lake is a gem in our community," said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). "This beautiful and tranquil spot located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Queens, is enjoyed by local residents throughout the year, and the upgraded pathways and new plantings will make that experience even better. As a resident of the area, I cannot wait to take advantage of these improvements, and I thank the Parks Department, Borough President and City Council for making them happen."

"I recently visited Oakland Lake, and was impressed with the tremendous job that the Parks Department has done with the reconstruction," said Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein. "It is critical that we continue to maintain all of our green spaces, and I would like to thank the Office of the Borough President and the New York City Council for providing the funding for this project."

The project was funded with $1.1 million allocated by the Borough President and an additional $500,000 from the City Council. Work consisted of reconstructing portions of the pathway around the lake, and installing stone swales and drywells to collect water seeping from surrounding slopes and divert the water from the path. In addition, invasive phragmites were cut back and replaced by new native wetland plantings, the stream bed was re-established, drainage systems cleaned, and the slope was stabilized with boulders.

Oakland Lake is a 15,000-year-old spring-fed glacial kettle pond located in Queens' Alley Pond Park. The Lake is home to fish, including bluegill carp, perch, and bass. The natural diversity of the area also attracts birds, such as cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, mallards and scaup ducks, in addition to hundreds of migratory birds.

In July 2011, NYC Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) completed a $2.5 million capital improvement project to restore the lake. The multi-phase project, part of DEP's expanded Bluebelt program in Queens, included restoration and repair of the park's perimeters, lake shoreline, ravines and side slopes, the planting of thousands of new trees, new recreational opportunities, and the installation of storm sewers in the streets near the park to better control stormwater runoff and avoid erosion.

Union Square Holiday Market

South Plaza in Union Square Park, Manhattan

10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Shop for the holidays at Union Square Park! Wander through the holly-lined ailes and connect with local artisans who are selling their wares, from home goods and winter wear accessories to gourmet goodies and cute gift ideas. The Union Square Holiday Market is open from November 19 to December 24. Weekday hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturdays, the market is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sundays, the market is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Holiday Train Show

New York Botanical Garden, Bronx

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

This event repeats every day between 11/21/2015 and 1/18/2016.

See enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials-all under the twinkling glow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Marvel at G-scale locomotives humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center-surprising at every turn-on nearly a half-mile of track. Please note: Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. To purchase tickets, please visit the New York Botanical Garden's website. The New York Botanical Garden is open Tuesdays through Sundays (closed on Mondays).

Historic New York: Native Americans

Fort Greene Park Visitor Center, Brooklyn

1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Urban Park Rangers specialize in interpretation of historic turning points, both natural and man-made, in our city's long history. Historic New York programs highlight the history and architecture of selected neighborhoods or parks. Native American culture is celebrated in this special program at Fort Greene Park.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Wave Hill Garden Highlights Walk

Perkins Visitors Center in Wave Hill, Bronx

2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Historic New York: Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1, Brooklyn

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Historic New York programs highlight the history and architecture of selected neighborhoods or parks. Explore the history of the Brooklyn Bridge from the time when it was first built to its present day place in our growing city and our most modern park that spans below it, Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Nocturnal Wildlife

West 100th Street and Central Park West in Central Park, Manhattan

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. This program focuses on the local animals that primarily come out at night.

"This greenway is part of the redevelopment of Freshkills Park and provides critical safe linkages for pedestrians and bikes between the north and south shores of Staten Island," said Parks Commissioner Silver. "Thanks to this project, Staten Islanders now have another way to get fit and stay healthy."

"We haven't even cut the ribbon yet, and I think we can all agree that the New Springville Greenway has already been a big hit with Staten Islanders," said Borough President Oddo. "Almost since the day construction started, walkers, runners, and bicycle riders have been flocking to the Greenway to both enjoy the scenery and improve their health and fitness. It is a welcome addition to our borough, and provides us with another fun active recreation outlet. With the grand opening of the Ocean Breeze Track last week and this project, Staten Islanders now have more options than ever to become active."

"The New Springville Greenway is another great amenity for the Borough of Parks, safely and conveniently connecting Staten Islanders with recreation and beautiful open space," said City Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo.

Freshkills Park Administrator Eloise Hirsh said "this Greenway is now a hugely popular destination and is the best poster we could have to advertise the fact that Freshkills Park is, in fact, becoming the place it is meant to be! We are indebted to our partners at the Departments of Sanitation and Transportation who have helped pave the way, and to all the runners, walkers, bikers, and stroller moms using this greenway."

"The Department of Sanitation is pleased to join the celebration at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the New Springville Greenway at Freshkills Park," said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. "This area has come a long way from being part of the world's largest landfill. The Department is committed to working with the Parks Department and elected officials to make this development of the New Springville Greenway a bucolic and peaceful retreat for walkers, runners, and bicyclists."

This new 3.3-mile, off-street multi-use path is part of the development of Freshkills Park. The greenway runs along the eastern edge of the park and parallel to Richmond Avenue, passing by the Staten Island Mall. It safely connects users with an existing on-street bike lane on Arlene Street in the north, the LaTourette Park bike path, and an anticipated bike lane planned for Arthur Kill Road in the south.

The construction of the Greenway included installation of a 10 to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, a wetland overlook deck, drainage systems, and provided sidewalk reconstruction and improvements. Bioswales were installed along the project length to manage stormwater in a sustainable way and native plantings were used to restore natural areas. Bikers, runners and walkers are able to use benches and bike racks placed along the route.

The project, completed this summer on time and under budget, was funded by a $7.8 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Grant from the Federal Highway Administration with an additional allocation of $2.4 million from the Mayor's Office.

For more information on other perimeter projects located at Freshkills Park and to view an events and tour schedule, visit the Freshkills Park Alliance web page at www.freshkillspark.org.

Colleen Alderson - Chief of Parklands and Real Estate

Colleen manages real property transactions for Parks, including acquisitions, ULURP applications, conveyances and dispositions. She oversees the maintenance of records pertaining to all park properties, environmental review for projects affecting parkland, and policy development related to parkland acquisition and protection from adverse uses.

Colleen joined NYC Parks in 1998 as a Staff Planner, after earning her MS in Urban Planning from New York University. In 2002, she became Assistant Director of Planning, and in 2007 she became the Director of Parklands. She has worked on the acquisitions at Goodhue, the conveyance of South Brother Island, the Yankee Stadium and recent USTA Projects, and more.

Colleen lives in South Harlem with her partner Enrique and five-year-old daughter Madeleine. Colleen is an avid swimmer, and loves to visit new NYC Parks playgrounds with Madeline, especially since she has just learned how to do the monkey bars all by herself.

Sarah GrimkAucoin - Chief of Education and Wildlife

Sarah leads the Urban Park Rangers, who connect New Yorkers to parks and the natural world through innovative education, recreation, mentoring and conservation programs. In her new role, Sarah will continue to lead our efforts to educate New Yorkers about the importance of parks, and will expand her efforts to develop and implement wildlife management and education programs across the City.

Sarah's career at NYC Parks spans 15 years of innovation and programmatic expansion in the Urban Park Rangers division. She began in March 2000 as the Deputy Director and was promoted to Director in January 2008. During her tenure, Sarah's many accomplishments have included introducing bald eagles to Inwood; installing and managing the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course; and establishing guidelines for rodenticide use during hawk breeding season. Throughout, Sarah has partnered internally with various NYC Parks divisions as well as multiple city and state agencies.

Sarah lives in the Bronx with her husband Brian, a Director for Forestry, Horticulture and Natural Resources; their two sons, Artie and Oscar; and their dog and cat. Sarah and her family enjoy being outdoors, travelling, listening to and playing music, and spending time together.

Allan Berg - Chief of Budget

Allan Berg leads the Personal Services (PS) Budget, seasonal spending plans, overtime and various other agency programs. As Chief he will oversee the units that prepare, monitor, modify and report on agency budgets and expenditures, as well as develop new strategies to maximize seasonal step-ups. Allan is also tasked with negotiating upcoming intra-city contracts.

Allan joined NYC Parks in 1989 as an Analyst in the Budget Division. Since then, he has worked in several different capacities within the Budget group through all kinds of fiscal climates. Allan's track record at Parks includes leading the development of the methodology and fiscal analysis that helped to establish the Parks Opportunity Program. He also led the budget team that worked with programmers at Information Technology to create the Seasonal Tracking System (STS), a years-long project that was awarded the "Best In-House Developed Application" by the NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications.

Allan was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and lived in both Washington Heights and then Brooklyn, before settling in Far Rockaway, where he currently lives with his family.

Ed Feldman - Chief of Fiscal Management and Resources

Ed currently oversees nearly $180 million in budgets for NYC Parks, in addition to managing major contracts with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Central Park Conservancy, and leading budget disbursement for more than 100 City Council add-ons. To these duties, Ed now adds oversight of new needs initiatives and collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget to streamline the hiring process.

Ed began his career at Parks more than 25 years ago as a seasonal employee in the Budget Division and gradually took on increased responsibility over the years as an Analyst, Supervisor, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief Fiscal Officer. Following a rare New York City tornado in 2010 and then again during Hurricane Irene, Ed played a significant role in negotiating millions of dollars in reimbursement funding from FEMA.

Ed also organizes the Central Park Chess Tournament which attracts over 700 people annually and is the largest outdoor chess tournament in the United States. During his playing days, Ed earned the titles of Master of Correspondence Chess and Expert of Over the Board Chess. Ed is also active in his community where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Riverdale Soccer Club. He lives in the Bronx with his family and two 25-pound cats.

David Terhune - Chief of Personnel

Leading a team of seasoned human resource professionals, David oversees the recruitment and hiring of new Parkies, the maintenance of a peak payroll of over 10,000 employees, and the implementation of collective bargaining increases. David also leads the interview training, career counseling and HR support to boroughs, divisions and supervisors.

David's contributions to Parks over his 30 years at the agency include overseeing a massive hiring push to aid in Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts which brought hundreds of seasonal employees to Parks, many of whom were from the affected areas. Recently, David has participated in the Employee Working Groups helping guide the Career Development team.

Outside of work, David sings and plays guitar in a popular NYC music revue called The Loser's Lounge. His band performs regularly at Joe's Pub/The Public Theater and Lincoln Center. He has also been featured as the musical entertainment at the annual Light of the World awards ceremony hosted by the Ebony Society.

Blanca Arismendi - Chief of Operations and Management Planning

As Chief of Operations and Management Planning, Blanca oversees the Parks Inspection Program, Parks' core performance measurement system which includes 6,000 inspections of Parks properties per year. She also oversees internal audits and top-level analyses for strategic initiatives. During her time at Parks, Blanca has proactively pursued innovative ways to use performance metrics to inform management about the quality of our parks. These efforts led to the tactical allocation of increased resources to areas in need. PIP has also provided crucial data points to inform and measure the results of many initiatives like OPS21 and CPI. Blanca has led and participated in a wide range of projects, from developing pilot programs and facilitating collaborative analysis with external partners to assessing the success of key internal programs.

Blanca has also enjoyed partnering with the Center for Urban Science and Progress to develop a pilot for measuring the volume and behavior of Parks visitors, and understanding the relationship between the quality of a parks and socio-economic demographics. One of her goals at Parks is to create a framework of self-reflection, where there is collaborative environment to use data analytics to shape initiatives that improve our level of our service delivery.

Blanca lives in Westchester, enjoys soccer and likes to travel abroad and understand the perspective of other cultures. She has had the opportunity to visit countries such as Greece, Turkey, Spain and Japan.

Leila Barconey - Deputy Chief of Parks Opportunity Program

Leila oversees Program Development for POP. Leila's unit is responsible for POP's Specialized Services (PSS) which provides POP trainees customized training programs designed to develop their occupational skills in growing industries including hospitality, public safety, administration, healthcare, and maintenance. Leila has expanded this unit from its beginning stages of piloting small programs for youth and has grown it into a division encompassing sector-based vocational training, dedicated mentoring services, specialized programs for youth, high school equivalency preparation and testing, and most recently introduced a partnership to provide our trainees with a pipeline to neighborhood health services. She persistently seeks additional opportunities to develop new programs to meet the diverse needs of our clients. As Deputy Chief, Leila will expand programming further to reach more POP trainees, and continue to develop partnerships with training providers in line with career pathway initiatives in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development.

Leila joined NYC Parks in 2000 and has dedicated herself to POP for the last decade and a half. During her tenure she has been instrumental in bringing innovative programming to POP's portfolio of services, including a variety of programs supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Leila has been awarded as Employee of the Month in June 2009 and also successfully completed the DCAS Citywide Management Academy in 2010. She resides in the Bronx with her son Romare.

Dawn Byfield - Chief Grants Officer

Dawn oversees the administration of federal, state and private grant funding and manages security and maintenance contracts funded through Parks' expense budget. This involves developing budgets, helping to draft contracts, and monitoring spending and collection of funds totaling over $25 million annually.

Dawn joined Parks in 1989 as Arsenal Permit Coordinator, which provided perfect training for her current position by allowing her to work with M&O, Recreation and other public-facing divisions. Under her direction the Parks store expanded its offerings with umbrellas, posters, and park chairs, to name just a few of the items sold. Dawn takes pride in her involvement in the development of two internal programs, the Seasonal Tracking System (STS) and the Grants Application System: the former is approximately 20 years old and still going strong; and the latter less than a year old but showing promise for longevity.

Dawn is a longtime resident of New York, currently residing in one of the city's most culturally diverse neighborhoods, Jamaica, Queens. While many only know her with regards to facts and figures, she has demonstrated her artistic side partnering with her unit on several submissions to the Arsenal Gallery's Annual Wreath Exhibit.

Gregorio Morales - Deputy Chief of the Parks Opportunity Program (POP)

A valued member of POP for the past 6 years, Greg's purview ranges from operations to analytics. Greg developed and oversees the administration of a program-wide relational database management system, and coordinates the input and usage of client information agency-wide. Widespread use of this information has resulted in enhanced, streamlined service provision at POP as well as helped increase communication between POP career coaches, job training program participants, and supervision staff.

Greg's contributions to the agency include designing, refining, and implementing improved business processes of the multi-site POP program as well as serving as a liaison to multiple divisions within the agency, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and DC37. Greg is also quick to lend his support to other divisions. He has worked closely with Operations on the distribution of JTP staff and has even helped design, deliver and analyze recreation center surveys. As Deputy Chief, Greg will coordinate the on-boarding and hire of POP participants referred by HRA, and support their training and deployment citywide.

Outside of Parks, Greg teaches public administration courses as an adjunct professor at Baruch College. Originally from Texas, Greg came to NYC in part due to his appreciation of our parks, and loves being a New Yorker.

Just in time for the holiday season, Wreath Interpretations celebrates its 33rd anniversary with more wreaths than ever before. A holiday custom at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, this show puts an imaginative spin on the traditional symbol that has roots in antiquity. The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, December 4, 2015 and remains on display through January 7, 2016. An opening ceremony will be held in the gallery on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

A diverse selection of 48 wreaths by fine artists, designers, and other spirited contributors enliven this ageless holiday symbol.

"The Wreath Interpretations exhibit is a holiday favorite everyone can enjoy," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "It is so fun to see visitors from all ages flock to the Arsenal gallery every year to take in the astounding craftsmanship that goes into each and every wreath. The exhibit's 33rd year will be no exception, offering fascinating visuals and materials. We encourage all New Yorkers and visitors to get in the spirit and seek out this fabulous free exhibit."

Venetian blinds, surge protectors, Q-tips, condoms, forged steel and lost winter gloves are among the many varied materials used to examine diverse themes ranging from jellyfish overpopulation to the upcoming presidential election. This exhibition is an imaginative and enjoyable must-see this holiday season.

The individuals and groups who created wreaths are: Carolyn Antonucci-Almeida, Emily Becker, John Bowman, Beryl Brenner, Yibing Chen, Patricia Clark, John Clarke, Penelope Coe, Rita Coelho, Oliver Corwin, Kirsten Do, Alexandra Dziedzic, Monica Forrestall, Hollis Fox, Edward Gormley, Kaitlin Griffin, Larry Hagberg, Judith Hoffman Corwin, Nadia Jarrett, Paul Johnson, Wendy Koo, George Kroenert, Sarah Langsam, Alexandra Leff, Charles McKinney, George Monje, Shivani Mithbaokar, Robert Mitchell, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Pike Street SACC, Wendy Popp, Rich Porpiglia, Randall's Island Park Alliance Horticulture Department, Leonora Retsas, Arlene Schulman, Brett Silvers, Ann Shostrom, Sorrentino Recreation Center, Anne Stanner, Vanessa Valdes, Shari Atwood, Sarah Fraizer, Venus Melo, Ava Chong, Tricia Vanderbeck and Yvette Castro, Robin Villa, Rachel Vine, Barbara Wallace, and Takeshi Yamada, Liz York, Audrey Zeidman, and Deborah Zingale.

Related Programming

Wreath Making with GreenThumb Staff

Create your own natural holiday wreath. All supplies will be provided. Open to all ages.

Wednesday, December 9, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The Arsenal Gallery, Central Park

To RSVP, call (212) 602-5310.

Saturday, December 12, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The New York Botanical Garden, Harding Lab Room 110

To RSVP, call (718) 817-8026.

For a look at "Ghosts of Wreaths Past," visit NYC Parks' It's My Park website (http://youtu.be/o1MWX3yQBCg). The exhibition was organized by Parks & Recreation's Public Art Coordinator Jennifer Lantzas. Many of the wreaths are for sale with a portion of the sales benefiting NYC Parks' programs.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, wildlife, New York City parks and park history. It is located on the third floor of the Parks Department Headquarters, in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the Arsenal Gallery, please call 212-360-8163.

Community Holiday Tree Lighting

Astoria Park Lawn, Queens

1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Holiday Tree Lighting - an all-day event appealing to both children and adults, offering more activities and entertainment for everyone where stories and songs of various holiday cultures will be shared followed by a traditional tree lighting.

Coffee Bark: Bark the Herald Angels Sing

Long Meadow by the Picnic House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Bring your pups to the park for a special holiday Coffee Bark. FIDO in Prospect Park invites you and your canine friends to "Bark the Herald Angels Sing" for song, coffee, hot chocolate, and hot mulled cider. Enjoy a sing-a-long of your holiday favorites and photos with Santa. FIDO will provide songbooks with dog-centric lyrics.

Birding: Owls

Seaman Avenue and Isham Street Entrance in Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. We offer birding programs throughout the year. As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, it's a great time of year to spot owls which are migrating south, and might spend the winter in NYC Parks. Bring your own binoculars or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair.

Christmas in the Colonies

Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

This event repeats every week on Sunday and Saturday between 12/5/2015 and 1/10/2016.

Enjoy Van Cortlandt House decked out in its holiday finery for Saint Nicholas Day, New Year's Day, and Twelfth Night. Free with regular museum admission.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Winter Tree Identification Hike (Light)

Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Queens

1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Our Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. On our hikes, you may explore nature, discover our city's urban forests, or just unplug from the world to clear your head. This hike is of light intensity, featuring a leisurely stroll on mostly paved paths and an introduction to tree identification.

Early Morning Bird Walk: Twelve Birds of Winter

Audubon Center at the Boathouse in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Not everyone flies south for the winter. Spot Prospect Park's most common winter birds during their busiest time of day. This tour leaves promptly at 10 am. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Maine Monument in Central Park, Manhattan

10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

The market will be open from December 1 to December 24.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is the perfect place to enjoy bites from some of the city's finest, shop for holiday gifts from artisans and designers, and soak in the splendor of winter in New York. The market is open on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the list of this year's vendors, please visit the Columbus Circle Holiday Market's website at urbanspacenyc.com.

Christmas in Richmond Town

Historic Richmond Town in LaTourette Park & Golf Course, Staten Island

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Hosted by The Women's Auxiliary of Historic Richmond Town, a tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m.

"NYC Parks' Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex joins the Carl Icahn Stadium as a premier competition and practice facility, providing a home and training ground for youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, as well as an exceptional year-round resource for the Staten Island community," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "We are so thrilled that the NYSPHSAA chose this incredible facility to host the 2017-2019 championships in."

"Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex submitted an outstanding bid that our committee, staff and board supported," said Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. "We are excited to be able to conduct an exciting track and field event at a brand new state-of-the-art venue for our student-athletes for three years."

NYSPHSAA had previously conducted its Girls and Boys Indoor Track & Field Championships at Barton Fieldhouse on the campus of Cornell University from 2006-2016, following stints in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University from 1997-2005 and in Barton Hall at the inception of the meet, 1981-1997.

The 135,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility opened this fall and boasts an elite-level hydraulically-banked competition track that can be converted from eight to six lanes and can incline up to 4.5 feet. The facility features a warm-up area with fitness and cardio rooms along with a coaches lounge and announcer booth, and can host up to 2,500 spectators. It is anticipated to draw competitors from around the region and is fast-becoming a premier destination for athletic events, with more than 70 competitions already scheduled. In November, the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex received an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) certificate, making it the only certified indoor track & field facility in the nation.

In keeping with New York City's sustainability goals, NYC Parks and NYC's Department of Design and Construction (DDC) are seeking a LEED Silver rating for the building, and have incorporated features to conserve energy and water into the design. Sustainable features for the building include geothermal heating and cooling, displacement ventilation, harvesting of storm water to recharge surrounding wetlands, a "cool" roof and recycled materials. In addition, the building will take advantage of the cool ocean breezes to provide natural ventilation for the majority of the year. Natural daylight harvested through skylights, windows, light shelves and clerestories will either eliminate or supplement the necessity for artificial lighting much of the time. For more information about the facility contact oceanbreeze@parks.nyc.gov.

About NYSPHSAA (Please "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter...@NYSPHSAA)
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. is a non-profit, voluntary, educational service organization composed of public, parochial, and private schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for the students of its member schools. The organization conducts 32 championship events and governs the rules and regulations of high school athletics in New York State. Membership is open to secondary schools providing interschool athletic activities for boys and girls in grades 7-12.

The centennial event celebrated a statue that has captured the hearts of fellow New Yorkers, and symbolizes the bond between France and America. The event's goal was to revive interest in the historic statue and surrounding landscape-for which the Joan of Arc Statue Committed launched a fund for their care.

About Joan of Arc in Riverside Park

This equestrian sculpture of 15th-century French patriot and martyr Joan of Arc (1411-1431) is one of the finest works of art in the collection of New York City's parks. Created by artist and patron Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), the piece was dedicated in 1915.

Jeanne La Pucelle, later known as Joan of Arc, was a peasant said to have been divinely inspired to help liberate the French from English rule. Proving her tenacity, Charles VII Charles appointed her commander in chief of a small provisional army, which prevailed over the English in 1429. With the victory, Charles VII was made king in Rheims Cathedral.

Continuing her fight for France, she was captured in 1430 by the Burgundians and sold to the English, who charged her with witchcraft and heresy. Subjected to a trial she was found guilty and condemned to death. On May 31, 1431 Jeanne was burned at the stake. Twenty years later an investigation into the trial's proceedings led to the annulment of her sentence. On May 16, 1920, nearly 500 years later, Jeanne La Pucelle was canonized as Saint Joan.

The 500th anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc was cause for many to revisit the heroic exploits of her life. In New York a group of citizens led by J. Sanford Saltus formed a Joan of Arc monument committee in 1909. Their efforts coincided with those of young sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington's, to create a sculpture of Joan. Her first version she explained, emphasized "the spiritual rather than the warlike point of view," was submitted to the 1910 Paris Salon. It received an honorable mention from a jury nevertheless skeptical that such an accomplished work of art could have been made solely by a woman.

The New York monument committee was so impressed by her work, that they awarded her the commission. Architect John van Pelt was retained to design the pedestal, which incorporates several limestone blocks from the chateau in Rouen where Joan of Arc had been imprisoned.

On December 6, 1915 the sculpture was unveiled in an elaborate ceremony, which included a military band and French Ambassador Jean J. Jusserand. Mrs. Thomas Alva Edison was among those selected to pull the cord that released the shroud. Replicas of her Joan stand in a town square in Gloucester, as well as in front of the Palace of the Legion of Honor in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

For those unaware, employee resource organizations allow staff extracurricular opportunity for socialization and service. Each group is focused on networking, support, and showcasing both individual and collective accomplishments, as in the case of the Alma Achievers Awards, a signature ceremony of the Latino Society. Other activities include the Ebony Society's Black History Month exhibit, held every February in the Arsenal Gallery, paints a vivid picture of African-Americans' contributions to the city. The Emerald Society's participation in the St. Patrick's Day Parade is a much anticipated annual highlight for members. And, the Whitman Society, named for the great, gay poet and naturalist, also promotes diversity and inclusion while encouraging consciousness of both LGBT and environmental causes.

Deserving of special recognition for hosting the nearly 50 attendees is the capable team at Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center. Thanks also to Assistant Commissioner Iyana Titus for her efforts in orchestrating the event. Anyone interested in membership may contact a representative from that society. For general information about Parks clubs, teams and other organizations, please contact Joseph Harvell of the Employee Resource Program.

Behind every park there's a Parkie, and alongside their stewardship ethics and dedication to public service, they bring a vibrant background. Through their work, that personal experience is shared with the citizens of New York and takes visiting our greenspace beyond just fun and therapeutic, to culturally enriching and thought-provoking. From all of us to all of you: thank you for the privilege of being Parkies. May you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and sweet holiday season. See you in the parks!

Joining the festivities is an A-list of performers who will provide entertainment for the evening, including some Parkies you may know. Aranda Daly will sing This Christmas, Jonathan Kuhn will sing John Lennon's Imagine, and Karina Smith will perform the duet Baby It's Cold Outside with Commissioner Silver. Come enjoy the entertainment and refreshments!

Summer on the Hudson: Holiday on the Hudson

West 125 Street in West Harlem Piers, Manhattan

4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Join us for our annual tree lighting and community warming celebration where we welcome the season with friends and family, dancing with Harlem Swing Dance Society from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and singing with Barnard Bacchantae from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Throughout the night we have hot chocolate and tree decorating activities for all (while supplies last). At dusk we all join together for the countdown to the lighting of the tree, then it's time for selfies in beautiful West Harlem Piers Park!

Historic New York: Grand Street Ferry

Grand Street at River Street in Grand Ferry Park, Brooklyn

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

This guided walk will highlight the history of Grand Ferry Park and the stories of the surrounding neighborhood. Grand Ferry Park was a ferry landing that served the burgeoning populace of Williamsburg before it became part of Brooklyn. It is named for the 19th-century Grand Street Ferry, which once carried farm goods and passengers across the East River to Manhattan.

Astronomy: New Moon

Fort Totten Park, Queens

6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Our Urban Park Rangers will be your guides to the solar system, discussing the science, history and folklore of the universe. Astronomy programs feature the use of telescopes and binoculars to observe specific astronomical events. The moon will be directly between the Earth and sun and will not be visible from Earth. With no moonlight to interfere, this is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters. Astronomy programs are best on clear cloudless nights, please call ahead if you are concerned about weather conditions.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Trail of the Month - Green Trail

200 Nevada Avenue in High Rock Park, Staten Island

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy will finish off their 2015 Greenbelt Trail of the Month series with the leisurely, interpretive hike around the Green Trail, beginning and ending at High Rock Park. Meet at the Nevada Ave parking lot. Registration is required. Please call (718) 351-3450 or email naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org.

Arts, Culture & Fun: Dark Nights, Bright Lights, The Geminids Meteor Shower

Avenue U and East 33rd Street in Marine Park, Brooklyn

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Join NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers as your guides to the solar system, discussing the science, history and folklore of the universe. The Geminids Meteor Shower produces up to 120 multi-colored meteors per hour at its peak! Weather permitting, there will be sky viewing with telescopes and binoculars to observe specific astronomical events. Feel free to bring your own binoculars or telescopes and set them up; all equipment is provided.

Union Square Holiday Market

South Plaza in Union Square Park, Manhattan

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

The Union Square Holiday Market is open until December 24.

Shop for the holidays at Union Square Park! Wander through the holly-lined aisles and connect with local artisans who are selling their wares, from home goods and winter wear accessories to gourmet goodies and cute gift ideas. Weekday hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Initial work on the project, already underway, is rehabilitating the seawall that supports the esplanade, between 63rd and 68th Streets. The scope of the work includes repairing eroded joints between the blocks, replacing damaged, displaced, and missing blocks, and repairing eroded concrete. Refurbishment of the esplanade itself will improve landscaping, add new seating and lighting, create a designated bike lane, and construct a noise barrier along the FDR Drive to reduce traffic sound. The university is spending approximately $8 million on the seawall repairs and esplanade improvements, and will also create a $1 million endowment to maintain this section of the esplanade in perpetuity.

The university's new two-story lab building, to be built over the FDR Drive, will contain 160,000 square feet of modern, modular laboratories, as well as a green, landscaped roof that will add two acres to the university's existing 14-acre campus. The building, named the Marie-Jos and Henry R. Kravis Research Building, will be the centerpiece of the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation-David Rockefeller River Campus.

Throughout the planning phases of the project, Rockefeller has worked in conjunction with its neighbors and local government officials, including Kallos, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Community Board 8, and representatives from the Parks Department in a collaborative process designed to ensure the public enhancements meet the needs of the community.

The university has also made a $150,000 gift to Friends of the East River Esplanade, a grass-roots conservancy dedicated to the restoration and renovation of the full length of the esplanade from 60th to 120th Streets.

"Rockefeller is committed to making improvements that benefit the community, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to renew this important public amenity," said Tessier-Lavigne. "We believe that this park has the potential to be much more than a jogging and biking path. With this construction, the esplanade will become peaceful setting in which to stroll and sit, to admire the waterfront views, and to watch the sailboats, tugs, and yachts of a busy waterway."

"As an advocate for open accessibility, I am thoroughly impressed with this design," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "The coming improvements to the esplanade, some of which are already underway, include a new shared bike and pedestrian path design, enhanced with new paving, plantings, seating, and lighting. We look forward to making the East River Esplanade another touchstone for New York City, right here in Manhattan."

About The Rockefeller University

The Rockefeller University is the world's leading biomedical research university and is dedicated to conducting innovative, high-quality research to improve the understanding of life for the benefit of humanity.

Founded in 1901, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research was the country's first institution devoted exclusively to biomedical research. In the 1950s, the Institute expanded its mission to include graduate education and began training new generations of scientists to become research leaders around the world. In 1965, it was renamed The Rockefeller University. It's more than 70 laboratories conduct biological and biomedical research and a community of over 2,000 faculty, students, postdocs, technicians, clinicians and administrative personnel work at the University's 14-acre campus.

Rockefeller's unique approach to science has led to some of the world's most revolutionary contributions to biology and medicine. During Rockefeller's history, 24 of its scientists have won Nobel Prizes, 21 have won Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards and 20 have garnered the National Medal of Science, the highest science award given by the United States.

This fall, NYC Parks, the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC), The Nature Conservancy, and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) kicked off a large-scale habitat restoration and park improvement project in Marine Park, Brooklyn's largest park. Scheduled for completion in 2017, the project will improve the park's ecologically unique forest by planting thousands of native trees and shrubs and create a new, formalized trail network for hikers, recreational walkers and birdwatchers. The development of the new trail network will be guided by scientific data, as well as recent surveys that studied the interests and preferences of park visitors.

"NYC Parks looks forward to continuing the important work we have been doing in Marine Park with our partners at the Natural Areas Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and in the community," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "This is a beloved open space in Brooklyn and improving its accessibility and sustainability makes it that much more valuable to all visitors."

"The Natural Areas Conservancy is excited to help lead restoration of Marine Park's unique coastal forest and creation of a safer and easier to follow trail network," said NAC Executive Director Sarah Charlop-Powers. "As Brooklyn's largest park and one of its most ecologically significant natural areas, Marine Park's visitors will greatly benefit from our improvements to this special place."

"The JBRPC is proud to be working with The Nature Conservancy on this key restoration project that advances our goal to expand public access and preserve and restore natural areas, including wetland and wildlife habitat in Marine Park and throughout Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway Peninsula," said Tom Secunda, Chairman, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. "The technical expertise provided by The Natural Areas Conservancy, working hand-in-hand with NYC Parks, will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the site."

"The Nature Conservancy is thrilled to be a partner in this project to enhance Marine Park and enable nature - including migratory birds and native pollinators - to thrive," said Emily Nobel Maxwell, The Nature Conservancy's New York City Program Director. "Parks and green spaces like Marine Park play a critical role in New York by providing habitat for wildlife, places for people to enjoy nature, and protection against impacts of climate change such as extreme heat and flooding."

"Marine Park is one of Brooklyn's undiscovered treasures, with miles of land and sea and countless species of flora and fauna to explore," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "For decades, this unique ecosystem has been neglected, but I am pleased to be a part of a newly invigorated effort to polish this natural gem for the full benefit of the community. I look forward to continued collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure Marine Park gets the attention and resources it deserves."

"I am very pleased that NYC Parks, the Natural Areas Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy have embarked on a program to improve the ecology of Marine Park as well as the trail network," said City Council Member Alan Maisel. "This is an area that has been neglected for a long time and I look forward to its timely completion."

"Gerritsen Beach Cares and its Board of Directors are in deep gratitude to the Natural Areas Conservancy and NYC Parks for selecting Marine Park South in the Gerritsen Beach Peninsula as the beneficiary of the grant to conserve and promote a sustainable natural seaside forest in our community," said the group. "This park is a gem and will be beneficially improved by this conservancy project."

The Natural Areas Conservancy will lead improvements on a 133-acre site on the western side of Marine Park, focusing on closing several miles of unofficial trails that fragment the park's sensitive ecology and creating a formalized trail system with signs and markers. This will allow better access and easier navigation of the park's unique coastal maritime forest, one of only two remaining in New York City. The park surrounds an inlet of Jamaica Bay and is prime habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Project contractor, Student Conservation Association (SCA), will employ youth from the Marine Park and Gerritsen Beach neighborhoods to participate in clean-up projects and trail work in summer 2016. Remaining labor will be completed through volunteer events and by professional contractors. Already this fall, SCA workers have removed more than 200 bags of storm debris and garbage from the park.

NYC Parks, the Natural Areas Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and partners are committed to extensive outreach and neighborhood participation, convening two community meetings regarding this project on September 27 and December 8, as well as meetings with more than 20 stakeholder groups and elected officials. For more information on these meetings and community engagement, please contact Public Engagement and Restoration Manager Justin Bowers at justin.bowers@parks.nyc.gov.

Natural Areas Conservancy

Created in 2012, the Natural Areas Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with NYC Parks to improve New York City's 10,000 acres of forest, marshes and wetlands to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers. www.naturalareasnyc.org.

Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy

The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is a public-private partnership established in 2013 that is dedicated to improving the 10,000 acres of public parkland throughout Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula for local residents and visitors alike. With its partners at the National Park Service and the NYC Parks, JBRPC works to expand public access; increase recreational and educational opportunities; foster citizen stewardship and volunteerism; preserve and restore natural areas, including wetland and wildlife habitat; enhance cultural resources; and ensure the long-term sustainability of the parklands, including the development of the Science and Resilience Institute.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the web at www.nature.org.

With community involvement being an integral part of this concept, Commissioner Silver visited each of the five boroughs over the course of the past two months, to engage in conversation about how Parks Without Borders will improve access to quality parks for New Yorkers across the city. Last night's meeting in Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Picnic House was the last and final forum.

Visit our Parks Without Borders Information page to find out more about how this program works - and to help us choose new projects.

Kenya entered city service 14 years ago and now oversees training and professional development programs for more than 10,000 full-time and seasonal employees. She also facilitates numerous workshops that help city workers to be successful on the job. Her talent and dedication to public service has been recognized by the Ebony Society with the prestigious "Light of the World" award for her commitment to bringing quality and innovative programming to young girls and women in the five boroughs. In addition to her responsibilities at Parks, Kenya is also currently enrolled in Pace University's Human Resource Management certificate program.

"From her first day at the Academy, I knew she was driven to improving our students' chances of success and helping them reach their goals," said Michael Crescenzo, a previous prize recipient who nominated Kenya for this year's award. "She exceeds her job duties by taking the time to sit with people and engage in career coaching, going above and beyond to aid their professional development."

Kenya's award was generously underwritten by Henry W.T. Mali & Company and was formally presented on December 10, 2015 at the Police Headquarters Auditorium. In addition to her very proud mother, in attendance were NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Chief David Terhune, Director Crescenzo and former Deputy Director of Training William Jones. Upon acceptance of her award, Kenya thanked those who have helped her reach this stage and said, "It's a great moment for me, and a great moment for training."

Photography Scavenger Hunt

Fort Greene Park Visitor Center, Brooklyn

1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Our Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. On our hikes, you may explore nature, discover our city's urban forests, or just unplug from the world to clear your head. This guided hike through Fort Greene Park will challenge your photography skills as you work to complete a photo scavenger hunt. Bring your own digital camera or smartphone.

Christmas Lighting of the Tree 2015

Westerleigh Park, Staten Island

6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Join us as we light the tree with a special guest Santa. PS 29 Chorus and Port Richmond High School Band will be performing. There will be coffee, hot chocolate, and much more for the kids to enjoy. Sing a few carols and have some hot chocolate with us.

Arts, Culture & Fun: Studio Lighting Photo Workshop

St. James Recreation Center, Bronx

2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Participants will learn basic techniques of studio photography lighting and set up for a portrait shoot. Everyone will get to pose and experience different lighting effects. Melanie Gonzalez is a Bronx-based digital media artist, freelancer and graduate of the City College of New York. Her photography has a concentration on portraiture with an editorial aesthetic. She is also a recipient of the 2015 Arts Fund Grant awarded by the Bronx Council of the Arts. Melanie's mission as a New York based artist is to mesh the worlds of high art and street style. She works under the name Melanie Gonzalez ART, which produces photo and video works. Visit her website www.melaniegee.com.

Please RSVP to studiolightingphoto19.eventbrite.com.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Bird Count Central Park

Central Park, Manhattan

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This annual event began in 1900 as a conservation effort to protect wild birds. To this day it continues throughout the country each year. Join the NYC Audubon, Urban Park Rangers, and the Central Park Conservancy as we count birds in every section of the park. Pre-registration is encouraged to attend the Central Park event.

Visit www.nycaudubon.org to learn about additional bird counts scheduled throughout NYC.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Van Cortlandt Golf House, Bronx

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

This season, the Urban Park Rangers celebrate history, wildlife, the cosmos, and the holidays with a fun-filled, family-friendly special event. Join us this afternoon as we celebrate the Winter Solstice and the start of the winter season with hearthside stories, hot cider, and a candlelight walk on the Putnam Trail.

Ursids Meteor Shower

Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (West of Cornelia Avenue), Staten Island

6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Our Urban Park Rangers will be your guides to the solar system, discussing the science, history and folklore of the universe. Astronomy programs feature the use of telescopes and binoculars to observe specific astronomical events. The Ursids are so named as it appears they originate from the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor. At its peak viewers may be able to enjoy up to 10 meteors per hour. Dress appropriately for the cool weather, and feel free to bring picnic blankets to relax and enjoy viewing the night sky. Astronomy programs are best on clear cloudless nights. Please call ahead concerning weather conditions affecting the program.