Vacca to Dedicate New Play Area at Loreto Playground

Here is more good news about our park space in the Bronx. Again Kudos to Vacca and all other parties involved for securing the funds and making the renovations a reality.

Gregory

***************

Renovations Completed After Funding Secured by Vacca

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 A.M., Council Member James Vacca, Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte, will join community leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Loreto Playground to celebrate the newly renovated play areas at the park.

The renovations, which began in March 2011 and were completed last month, were funded with $500,000 that Vacca was able to allocate through the City Council. The restorations include a reconstructed bocce court, a new play area for toddlers, wheelchair-accessible equipment, new planting beds, benches and fencing, game tables, and a new drainage system that relieved past flooding problems.

WHO: Council Member James Vacca

Adrian Benepe, New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner

Hector Aponte , Bronx Parks Commissioner

Angela Deegan, St. Francis Xavier School Principal

Jeremy Warneke, Community Board 11 District Manager

Students of St. Francis Xavier and other community leaders

WHAT: Dedication of renovated play areas

WHEN: Friday, April 20, 2012 @ 9:00 A.M.

WHERE: Loreto Playground, Van Nest Avenue between Tomlinson and Haight avenues, the Bronx

Community Fights to Stop Pavement of Nature Trail in Van Cortlandt Park

For some reason the City wants to spend tax dollars to cover a nature trail in Van Cortlandt Park with asphalt. Here is a clip and information taken from the web site of a community organization fighting to prevent the action from taking place. If interested in supporting the struggle here is a link to their petition as well.

http://www.savetheputnamtrail.com/petition/

Gregory
*******




The Putnam Trail is a jewel, a treasure of nature in New York City.
The NYC Parks Department is planning major changes to the trail.

Current Parks plan will:
* Increase the width from 8 ft. to 15 ft.
* 1.5 acres of trees and natural brush will be destroyed and removed.
* The trail will be paved with asphalt.

The purpose of this campaign is to get the Putnam Trail resurfaced with a stone dust surface instead of paved asphalt and reduce the proposed width from 15ft down to 8ft. NYC Parks Department plans will double the current width of the Putnam Trail from 8ft to 15ft! The average lane on an interstate highway is 12ft. This will require the destruction of many trees and will have a detrimental effect on the wildlife, harming the natural environment and beauty of the Park. A stone dust surface still serve all the users including cyclists, walkers, runners, baby strollers, wheelchairs and more.

Park trails are meant to be user-friendly and accommodate all methods of use. We feel that the 8ft wide stone dust trail best meets the needs of all users while having the most minimal impact on the environment and will also have the lowest cost.

We ask you to support the Save the Putnam Trail campaign and ensure that the Putnam Trail stays 8ft wide and is improved with a stone dust surface.

If we stay silent on this issue one of the jewels of the Bronx and NYC will be lost forever. Please don’t let the Putnam Trail become “Putnam Road”!

OUR PLAN
1. Saves taxpayers MONEY!
2. Preserves the environment!
3. Still serves ALL users!!

BoogieDowner Recycling News: Information on NYC Parks and Recreation Mulchfest

Below is the press release from the Department of Sanitation regarding when DOS and the Parks Department will each be giving you an opportunity to recycle your tree.

The NYC Department of Sanitation will be conducting special collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees.

Collections will take place beginning on Monday, January 2 through Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Residents are encouraged to put out their discarded trees at curbside as early as possible during the collection period.

DSNY asks residents to remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments from trees before placing them out for collection. DO NOT place trees in plastic bags. Trees will be chipped into mulch that will be distributed to parks, playing fields, and community gardens throughout the city.

New Yorkers can also participate in NYC Parks & Recreation Mulchfest by bringing their holiday trees to designated sites throughout the five boroughs on Saturday or Sunday, January 7 & 8, 2012, from 10 am to 2 pm.

All of the trees will be chipped into mulch that will be used as ground cover to nourish plantings across the City. Before dropping off your tree, please remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments from trees.

Free mulch will be available at Mulchfest locations —bring a bag if you would like to take home some mulch.

Holiday Marathons: 2nd Annual Van Cortland Christmas Marathon moved to Yonkers Park due to NYC Parks Bureaucracy and Antics

I enjoyed receiving and posting news about the free running events organized by Holiday Marathons right here in the Boogiedown. Unfortunately, the organization has moved it’s free Christmas Marathon, which attracted hundreds of runners last year, to a park in Yonkers due to alleged indifference or possible interference by NYC park bureaucrats.

Information related to the event and why Holiday Marathons will take their Christmas run north of the Bronx, can be reviewed below. It’s a shame when we loose quality events like the runs organized by Holiday Marathons. In my opinion, city government let everyone down on this front. Contact numbers to city officials who could possible make a difference on future runs can be found on the links provided.

Gregory

************

"Sadly the NYC Parks Dept. denied our permit request for Christmas in VC Park and has been imposing unfair rules and regulations upon us. For a list of the antics of the NYC Parks Dept. go to http://www.thechristmasmarathon.com/index.php/nyc-parks-cancels-xmas-2011/ "

http://www.thechristmasmarathon.com/index.php/nyc-parks-cancels-xmas-2011/

Join us for the 2nd Annual Christmas Marathon!

Come to run, walk or spread cheer!

11:00am on Sunday, December 25, 2011

TIBBETTS BROOK PARK

(120 Teresa Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704)

Tibbett’s Brook Park is one of most majestic and oldest Parks in Westchester County.

The Christmas run is FREE but we do accept donations.

Please join us in sending a huge thanks to the Westchester County Parks Department, which has been welcoming and supportive. The Holiday Marathons is excited to host a run in Tibbets Brook Park and give back to the community.

Please bring an extra gift for the Marine Corps League of Westchester’s Toys for Tots Holiday Drive. We will accept gifts before the run and deliver them for you.

Sign up for 1/8 marathon, 1/4 marathon, half marathon, 3/4 marathon and full marathon

(all loops on scenic paved pathways)

“The Holiday Marathons strives to bring new people to the sport

of running by removing barriers to entry. We offer free entry, a fun

experience and races that welcome everyone!” The Holiday Marathons

Thank you for your support and see you at a run soon!

http://www.thechristmasmarathon.com/Westchester/