Bronx Kids Competed in the Summer’s Largest Track & Field Sports Games at Icahn Stadium

Besides Pelham Bay Park winning the title of “Best Overall for Large Parks” I am sure our Bronx youth did great at the City Park foundation track and field events recently held on Randall’s Island. Please enjoy the photos of our Bronx youth and information about the 10th Annual City Parks Foundation in the below press release.

Gregory
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City Parks foundation hosts 2011 track & field citywide championships
Bronx Kids Competed in the Summer’s Largest Track & Field Sports Games at Icahn Stadium

On August 17, 2011, City Parks Foundation held its 10th Annual CityParks Track & Field Citywide Championships, bringing over 2,000 New York City youth to the world-class Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island for a day of healthy competition in a wide range of track & field events. The track & field meet gave all participants of CityParks Track & Field program, which provided free lessons in parks across the city this summer, an opportunity to experience the exhilarating spirit of the Olympics, close to home. Children from Pelham Bay Park and Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx participated in the day’s activities.

Teams of kids, ages five to 16, from the 13 CityParks Track & Field sites across the city competed in various events throughout the day, including Javelin, Discus, Shot Put, Triple Jump, Long Jump, 400 Meter Run, 55 Meter Hurdles, 4x100 Meter Relay, and 100 Meter Dash. The meet also included events for children with special needs including a 100 Meter Dash that included children in wheelchairs, a Giant Shuttle Relay Race and 55 Meter Dash for Peewees, ages five to seven. Championship medals at Peewee, Beginner, and Intermediate levels were awarded to first and second place winners. In addition, Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx won the title of “Best Overall for Large Parks” and Kaiser Park in Brooklyn received “Best Overall for Small Parks.”

CityParks Track & Field offers free track & field instruction for boys and girls, ages five to 16, with lessons held twice a week from July through August in parks citywide. City Parks Foundation’s Sports & Fitness Programs, sponsored by North Shore-LIJ, offer free expert instruction to over 15,000 New York youth and seniors at over 60 locations citywide.

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City. More information on all of CPF’s programs can be found at www.CityParksFoundation.org.

This Weeks Bronx SummerStage Kids Events Scheduled in the Bronx

Here are the SummerStage Kids events planned for this week.

Gregory
*******

SummerStage Kids presented by DisneySummer 2011 Bronx Events:

All events are FREE

For Ages 3 & Up SummerStage Kids presented by Disney offers unique events for kids ages 3 and up and the entire family, throughout the summer in park locations citywide. With dance performances, storytelling, puppetry, acrobats, poetry readings, musical acts and sing-a-longs, SummerStage Kids exposes New York City youth to the world of international arts and culture through a vast and diverse collection of engaging entertainment unparalleled by any other citywide festival of its kind in New York City. For more information on current and upcoming events, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/

Thursday, August 4
The Ohmies
Van Cortlandt Park,
Bronx Jerome Ave. & Gun Hill Rd.
Sachkerah Woods Playground
10:30AM

The Ohmies:
The Ohmies is an interactive musical health and wellness band for preschool aged children. With The Ohmies, children participate in musical adventures based on a curriculum focusing on movement/physical activity, emotional and social development. Children learn to identify their feelings, make friends, resolve conflicts, get along with their siblings, and deal with anxiety. Moreover, The Ohmies focus on movement (and physical activity) as a basis for a healthy lifestyle.Artist Website: http://www.theohmies.com/

Friday, August 5
Mr. Chris’ Magical Experience Poe Park,
Bronx Grand Concourse at E. Kingsbridge Rd. & E. 192nd St.
Next to the Bandstand
10:30AM

Mr. Chris’ Musical Experience:
Mr. Chris' Musical Experience is a high energy, interactive one man show of music & educational theatre featuring song, dance, hip hop, stories & team building games. Mr. Chris wishes to create in young people a love, passion and an ongoing excitement for learning.Artist Website: http://www.mrchrismusicalexperience.info/

BRONX YOUTH CONNECT TO NATURE THROUGH CITY PARKS FOUNDATION’S SEEDS TO TREES PROGRAM

Here is a City Parks Foundation program that deserves a special mention. The Seeds to Trees program has allowed approximately 18,000 city school children to explore our environment since 1992. For any NYC educator that has not heard of the program, the City Parks Foundation web site is listed below.

Gregory
*******


Photo Caption:
Young people participate in City Parks Foundation’s Seeds to Trees Program.


BRONX YOUTH CONNECT TO NATURE THROUGH
CITY PARKS FOUNDATION’S SEEDS TO TREES PROGRAM


From collecting water samples at Van Cortlandt Park learning about the decomposition process at landfills to exploring forest ecology, Seeds to Trees, City Parks Foundation’s (CPF) flagship education program, introduced science and nature in the urban environment to children from MS 424 in Hunts Point, MS 229 in Morris Heights, PS 15X in University Heights and PS 161X and PS 5X in Morrisania. The Seeds to Trees program offered classroom activities and hands-on field experiences, from October through June, to over 1770 students and 76 teachers from 20 elementary and middle schools throughout the city, while teaching the importance of caring for city parks.

Young people and their teachers enhanced indoor classroom lessons by visiting parks in all boroughs including Marine Park in Brooklyn, Forest Park in Queens, Inwood Park in Manhattan, Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and Clove Lake Park on Staten Island. By incorporating these outings into the learning environment young students were able to experience wild life in its natural habitat.

“Throughout the school year, City Parks Foundation’s Seeds to Trees program supported academic objectives by presenting lessons that relate to mandated curricula and scope and sequence, while training teachers to use city parks as extensions of their classrooms,” said Claudia DeMegret, Director of Education, City Parks Foundation. “Each year our program continues to be in constant demand from school principals, attesting to its relevance and impact of providing science learning and teaching in our most under-resourced schools.”

Since 1992, Seeds to Trees has reached over 18,000 public school children and 800 teachers in underserved communities. The program is designed for Elementary Schools, first through fourth grades, and Middle Schools, sixth and seventh grades.
“In addition to reaching students in lower-income areas in the five boroughs, we target schools that are located in more remote areas of the city, such as Far Rockaway, Queens and East New York, Brooklyn, where few other organizations are partnering with these communities,” CPF Director of Education Claudia DeMegret explained.

Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation provides free park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Reaching more than 600,000 people a year, CPF works in over 750 parks, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports and education programs, and helping citizens support their parks on a local level. For more details, please check out the website at www.CityParksFoundation.org.

Photo Caption:

Young people participate in City Parks Foundation’s Seeds to Trees Program.

CITY PARKS FOUNDATION KICKS-OFF FREE SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAMS IN BRONX PARKS

Here are some great summer activities for youth looking to take advantage of free outdoor sporting activities. Please do forward to any youth you believe would enjoy the activities offered.

Gregory
*****

CITY PARKS FOUNDATION KICKS-OFF FREE SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAMS IN BRONX PARKS
Programs include Tennis, Golf, and Track & Field Instruction

On July 5th, in parks throughout the Bronx, City Parks Foundation kicks off its 2011 Summer Sports Program for young people. Throughout the summer, City Parks Foundation provides New York City children free tennis, golf, and track and field instruction including free use of equipment in over 45 locations citywide. This summer, City Parks Foundation’s Sports programs will be taking place in Haffen Park, Mill Pond Park, Pelham Bay Park, St. Mary’s Park, St. James Rec Center, Van Cortlandt Park, Williamsbridge Oval, Woodlawn Park and Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx.
CityParks Tennis presented by Chase provides free tennis lessons to more than 7,000 children, ages five to 16, each year in more than 38 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program promotes physical fitness while building self-confidence and is designed to make the sport of tennis freely available to those who want to learn the game in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. CityParks Tennis runs through August 16th and concludes with an exciting tournament for beginners held at the Central Park Tennis Center and the JP Morgan Chase Aces Tournament for intermediates held at Flushing Meadows Tennis Center in mid-August.
CityParks Golf presented by René Lacoste Foundation makes it fun and easy for boys and girls, ages six to 16, to learn to play golf. The free golf lessons and use of equipment, held in public parks and on citywide courses, makes the sport of golf accessible to kids of all skill levels throughout New York City. The emphasis of the program is not only on learning the basics of the sport, but also on developing self-esteem, discipline and sportsmanship. The program gives kids a chance to improve their skills and ultimately try out for the CityParks Intermediate Program and Junior Golf Academy–specialized programs for dedicated young golfers available at the CityParks Junior Golf Center, a facility in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn that also offers programming for new or first-time youth golfers from New York City. CityParks Golf will be held in two sessions, running from July 5th through July 29th and from August 1st through August 26th.
CityParks Track & Field gives New York City kids, ages five to 16, the chance to learn the basics of the sport, from hurdles and relay races, to long jump, shot put and javelin throw. All participating youngsters have the opportunity to display the basic skills learned at the end of the season at an organized track meet held at Icahn Stadium, the world class sports complex on Randall’s Island on August 17th.
For more information and a full list of City Parks Foundation’s 2010 kids programs, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.
Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. CPF works in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. CPF’s programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City. For more details, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

2011 City Parks Foundation’s Sports Schedule in the Bronx

CityParks Tennis presented by Chase
Haffen Park
Hammersley Ave. & Gunther Ave.
Mon & Wed, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Mill Pond Park
Gateway Center Blvd. & East 150th St.
Mon & Wed, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Pelham Bay Park
Bruckner Blvd. & Middleton Rd.
Tues & Thurs, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

St. Mary’s Park
145th St. & St. Ann’s Ave.
Mon & Wed, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

St. James Rec Center
Jerome Ave & 193rd St.
Tues & Thurs, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Van Cortlandt Park
246th St. & Broadway
Mon & Wed, 9:00 am-11:00 am (intermediates only)
Tues & Thurs, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Williamsbridge Oval
208th St. & Bainbridge Ave.
Mon & Wed, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Woodlawn Park
233rd St. & Jerome Ave.
Tues & Thurs, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

CityParks Golf presented by René Lacoste Foundation
Pelham Bay Park, Field 4
Bruckner Blvd. & Middleton Rd.
Tues & Thurs, 9:30 am-10:30 am (6-8 years), 10:30 am-12:00 pm (9-16 years)

Haffen Park
Hammersley Ave. & Gunther Ave.
Mon & Wed, 9:30 am-10:30 am (6-8 years), 10:30 am-12:00 pm (9-16 years)


CityParks Track & Field
Pelham Bay Park
Middletown & Stadium Aves.
Mon & Wed, 9:30 am-10:30 am (5-7 years), 10:30 am-12:00 pm (8-16 years)

Macombs Dam Park
161st St. between River & Jerome Aves.
Tues & Thurs, 9:30 am-10:30 am (5-7 years), 10:30 am-12:00 pm (8-16 years)

Additional Support for CityParks Tennis provided by:
Reebok International, Ltd.; The Barclays/Nets Community Alliance; Aviation Development Council; USTA Eastern Metro Region Board of Directors; USTA Junior Tennis Foundation, Eastern Region; USTA Tennis Recreational Grants; New York City Council under the leadership of Christine C. Quinn; NYC Council Member Vincent Gentile; NYC Council Member Letitia James; NYC Council Member Darlene Mealy; NYC Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.; NYC Council Member Deborah Rose.

Additional Support for CityParks Golf provided by:
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Foundation; Ann and Andrew Tisch; Lori, David, Jami and Nicholas Moore; The Troubh-Belsky-Doyle-Polikoff Family; The Barclays/Nets Community Alliance; New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund; Golf Course Builders Association of America and National Recreation and Park Association; New York City Council under the leadership of Christine C. Quinn; NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras; NYC Council Member Deborah Rose.

Additional Support for CityParks Track & Field provided by:
J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation; The Barclays/Nets Community Alliance; New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, Inc.; Aviation Development Council; CVS Caremark; USA Track & Field Foundation; New York City Council under the leadership of Christine C. Quinn; NYC Council Member Darlene Mealy; NYC Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.

City Parks Foundation offers free Senior Fitness Programs in the Bronx

Here are some great programs for our seniors looking for fun, healthy activities to partake in. Please do pass the word on to any seniors who are not aware of the free activities.

Gregory
********




STILL TIME FOR SENIORS TO HIT THE COURT

CityParks Seniors Fitness Offers Free Yoga, Tennis & Fitness Walking in Bronx Parks Bronx seniors, ages 60 and over, still have eight opportunities to improve their backhand and perfect their downward dog pose through CityParks Seniors Fitness Program.

City Parks Foundation is continuing to offer free yoga, tennis and fitness walking instruction twice a week in three Bronx parks through June 24th. With eight classes left for the season, now is the perfect opportunity for seniors to improve their skills or learn something new while taking advantage of their local park and making new friends.

CityParks Seniors Fitness has served over 3,400 participants since it began in 2006 and aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity, with classes offered in 14 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program encourages New Yorkers to maximize the health benefits of staying active at all ages. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help participants feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis.

For more information about City Parks Foundation’s free Seniors Fitness programs, please call the Sports Department at (718) 760-6999. All equipment and instruction is provided free of charge. Sessions are one hour, twice a week.

Below is the list of Bronx parks:

BRONX Crotona ParkTennis - Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM - Tennis Courts E 173rd St & Crotona Ave

Pelham Bay ParkYoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM - Middletown Rd & Stadium Ave

Van Cortlandt Park/WoodlawnYoga - Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 AM - Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St

Walking - Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9 AM -Woodlawn Tennis Courts Jerome Ave & E 233rd St

As in all of its programming and activities, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve.This program is supported by Zwicker Electric; New York City Council under the Leadership of Christine C. Quinn; New York City Council Manhattan Delegation; NYC Councilmember Julissa Ferreras; NYC Councilmember Jessica Lappin.

Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. CPF works in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. CPF’s programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City. For more details, please visit http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/.

CITY PARKS FOUNDATION’S REEBOK JUNIOR TENNIS ACADEMY SEARCES FOR YOUNG TENNIS STARS OF NYC- TRYOUTS MAY 14TH

Here is a great opportunity for our Youth. For any patents that have children who love tennis it sounds like a great opportunity.

Gregory
*******


CITY PARKS FOUNDATION’S REEBOK JUNIOR TENNIS ACADEMY
SEARCHES FOR YOUNG TENNIS STARS OF NYC
Sign Up Now for Academy Tryouts- May 14th


City Parks Foundation’s Reebok Junior Tennis Academy is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of providing a free, annual scholarship training program for talented New York City junior tennis players. For 25 years, the program has developed youngsters into tournament-caliber players who have earned college scholarships and USTA rankings. By providing free expert coaching, practice time and tournament scholarship, the Academy helps defray the cost of tournament tennis training so that more urban youngsters have an opportunity to realize their full potential.
The Academy is currently accepting applicants for this year’s season which will begin with tryouts on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The tryouts are open to all New York City residents, ages eight to sixteen. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their serve, forehand, backhand, volley and overhead, and are evaluated on their ability relative to their age. Players who pass the first round of the tryouts on Saturday are invited back for the second and final round on Sunday, May 15th. Those who make it through Sunday's evaluations are invited back for an interview and a chance to join the academy. Fifty players will be selected for the full scholarship program, which runs three days a week from the end of June through mid August.
To sign up for City Parks Foundation’s Reebok Junior Tennis Academy tryouts on May 14th, players, ages eight to 16, are encouraged to pre-register at www.cityparksfoundation.org/pdfs/cityparks_2011_Tennis_Academy_application.pdf. Applicants may also register in person at the event on May 14th.

Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. CPF works in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. CPF’s programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City. For more details, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.