Parks representative outlines programs at civic meeting

At the most recent meeting of the Ozone Park Civic Association, the guest speaker, NYC Parks Chief of Recreation Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, outlined upcoming activities at neighborhood parks.
Million Trees NYC
The New York Restoration Project and the Parks Department are sponsoring the citywide Million Trees NYC initiative to plant 1 million trees across the five boroughs over the next 10 years. Trees help clean the air and water, cool the streets, sidewalks, and homes, reduce stormwater runoff, and raise property values. The Parks Department will plant 220,000 new street trees, primarily through individual requests, block planting programs, and by replacing dead trees. If you need street trees in your community, dial 3-1-1 and request that trees be planted. If your request is received between December and June, your trees will be eligible for the next fall planting season (October-December). If your request is received between July and November, your tree will be eligible for the (March-May) spring planting season. For more information, visit www.milliontreesnyc.org
Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike
Children or grandchildren interested in learning how to ride a bike can learn for free through a program that teaches kids 5 years and older. Classes will be offered every Saturday starting April 19 and continuing at different locations throughout Queens until May 31. Children interact with professional staff to learn the basics of balancing, starting, stopping, and steering a bike. Participants need to bring their bike and a helmet. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.bikenewyork.org or dial 3-1-1 for more information.
Turn 2 New York City Baseball Clinics 2008
Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation in conjunction with the Parks Department will be hosting the 9th annual Turn 2 New York City Baseball Clinics. The free clinic for boys and girls ages 7-13 focuses on baseball fundamentals as well as important life skills and lessons. This years Queens clinic will be held on May 31 and June 7 at Victory Field at Woodhaven Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a wheelchair softball clinic for children with disabilities at Victory Field from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a free lunch for the children. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. for all clinics. For more information, visit www.turn2foundation.org or dial 3-1-1.
It’s My Park! Day
Partnership for Parks is sponsoring the semi-annual Its My Park! Day on Saturday, May 17. Thousands of volunteers will come to over 150 sites in all five boroughs to help beautify the parks. Volunteers will be involved in cleaning up litter, planting and tree care, painting of benches and park structures, and fun events including free tennis lessons, face painting, historic house tours, nature walks, and more.
To volunteer and find out more information, visit www.itsmypark.org or dial 3-1-1.
Recreation Centers
Recreation Centers throughout the five boroughs offer services such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, boxing rings, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. Adults 18 years and older can join for $75 dollars a year. Seniors 55 and over pay just $10. Youth under 18 are admitted for free.
The new recreation center at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is the largest recreation complex ever built in a city park and houses an Olympic size swimming pool. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/parks or dial 3-1-1.
Mobile Recreation Program
Mobile Parks Department Recreation vans will be available for use by community organizations. These vans will travel throughout the city providing equipment and instructional activities for community events, including in-line skating, baseball, arts & crafts, sports & fitness activities, and miniature golf. Community groups and organizations can reserve these vans by contacting their borough recreation office to process a request. For more information dial 718-520-5916.