Tag: Prospect Park Alliance

c. Chasi Annexy

New York Philharmonic Returns to Prospect Park

July 1, 2014

There are few things that could make Prospect Park even more enchanting and serene, but the New York Philharmonic will do just that on July 9 when they kick off their annual Concerts in the Parks in Prospect Park. Since 1965, the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks have been an iconic summer experience, transforming parks throughout the boroughs into outdoor concert halls.

Bring your friends and family, and a blanket, for a perfect evening of music and nature. The program, led by Music Director Alan Gilbert, will feature Don Juan by Strauss and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. A fireworks display will follow the performance.

The Movable Feast Café at the Picnic House will be open noon until 9 pm, so Philharmonic fans can purchase wraps, coffee, and sweet treats to enjoy at the performance, including Maximo Pino Gelato and Sorbetto.

Prospect Park Alliance members at the Arborist level and above enjoy VIP seating, so become a member today!

PPA Profiles: Justine Heilner

Formerly a landscape architect at the acclaimed James Corner Field Operations, Justine Heilner was instrumental in the design of the city’s newest park, the celebrated High Line on Manhattan’s West Side. She recently joined the Alliance’s Design and Construction Office as the Senior Landscape Architect, supervising many of the new and ongoing improvement projects around Prospect Park.

A Brooklynite at heart, Justine and her family live in Park Slope, and consider the Park part of their everyday lives. This perspective has given her a good understanding about how the Park is used, and the challenges of maintaining its beauty. “We need to design the Park’s landscapes so they can take a good amount of traffic” she explained. “Prospect Park is a place that’s so loved, it can get loved to death.”

Justine is joining the Alliance at the tail end of Lakeside, one of the Park’s most ambitious restoration projects. She is currently overseeing the reconstruction of the Park Drive at Lakeside, which will improve pedestrian access to the LeFrak Center and make the Drive safer for all Park users.

Prospect Park has presented Justine with new and welcome challenges as a landscape architect. There is a modest budget to improve and maintain hundreds of acres of meadows, streams, woodlands and bodies of water. Drainage is one of the greatest challenges in the Park, particularly following the more severe weather patterns that have come with climate change. In her work, Justine is constantly considering how to incorporate more sophisticated design solutions into a historic landscape.

We look forward to seeing Justine’s work as the Alliance moves ahead with its next big focus, restoring the northeast perimeter and the Vale of Cashmere.

PPA Profiles: Lawrence A. Timberlake

June 2, 2014

Have you had a sense of déjà vu when watching a favorite film or television show? You might have seen a familiar landscape in Prospect Park. The Park has been featured in a number of productions and photo shoots, from Essence magazine to the films Julie and Julia, Date Night, and It’s Complicated, and the television shows Boardwalk Empire, The Americans, and even Sesame Street. These activities need to be carefully coordinated to minimize their impact on the Park and its visitors, which falls to Deputy Director of Special Events Lawrence A. Timberlake.

An NYC Parks employee, Timberlake started in the Special Events office at Prospect Park over seven years ago, and has steadily worked his way up to his current position overseeing film, television and photo shoots, as well as festivals and large-scale events, such as the popular New York Philharmonic in the Park (this year taking place July 9) and past events such as Tropfest. When it comes to photo, film and television productions, Lawrence explained that Prospect Park is a favorite because of its natural beauty and the ease of working on location here. “These types of activities,” he explained, “bring in important revenue that goes toward the continuous upkeep of the Park.”

Lawrence has seen a number of celebrities and blockbuster film projects in Prospect Park, but which one was his favorite? Without hesitation, he answered, “The Smurfs, because it was a childhood favorite.”

Coordinating productions in Prospect Park can be a serious undertaking, but facilitating large-scale events can be a monumental task. One of Lawrence’s favorite events is film icon and Brooklyn native Spike Lee’s annual Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration. It is an extremely popular event, with thousands of people gathering at the Nethermead. One year, Lawrence accompanied the legendary rapper Snoop Dogg to the event, along with fellow performer Warren G. Before the duo stepped out of the vehicle, they admired the crowd and bestowed Prospect Park with one of its highest compliments: “This is real Brooklyn Luv.”

c. Elizabeth Keegin Colley

500 for the Park a Success

May 1, 2014

We did it! Over 600 donors contributed to 500 for the Park, helping the Prospect Park Alliance earn a $25,000 challenge grant from Lorraine and Gordon DiPaolo. After our donors smashed through the original 500-donor goal, our board of directors stepped in and offered an extra $20 per gift for every donation made above the original 500.

Together, we raised a total of $61,670 for Prospect Park!

These funds will help the Alliance in its important work to preserve and maintain Prospect Park. Working in partnership with the City of New York, the Alliance is responsible for the operation and long-term stewardship of Prospect Park, and funds a significant portion of the budget that keeps Prospect Park clean, safe and beautiful.

Party for the Park

Join the Prospect Park Alliance on Wednesday, June 11, as we celebrate everyone’s favorite Park with music and cocktails under the stars at the Party for the Park. Taking place at the historic Boathouse, one of the Park’s most scenic destinations, this event benefits the Alliance’s work to preserve and maintain Prospect Park.

The evening kicks off with a special pre-party, the Lullwater Lounge, featuring live music by the Smoke Rings and tasting menus prepared by local Brooklyn chefs to pair with Brooklyn Brewery craft beers and specialty cocktails. The main party then gets underway with music and dancing with DJs AndrewAndrew, artisanal sweets by Brooklyn bakers, and a silent auction.

Every ticket helps support the care and maintenance of Prospect Park. It takes millions of dollars each year to keep Prospect Park looking spectacular. The health of the Park depends on the arborists, gardeners, groundskeepers, ecologists and educators that the Alliance, working in partnership with the City, funds through the generous support of its donors.

The first 100 tickets to Party for the Park are $100. After that, tickets to the Party are $125. The VIP Lullwater Lounge Pre-Party tickets are $500 and include dinner, drinks, and live entertainment. Don’t miss one of the most festive nights in Brooklyn!

Share the party on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #partyforthepark.

PPA Profiles: Franklyn Sookram

There are few people in Brooklyn who know more about the flora of Prospect Park than Franklyn Sookram, NYC Parks Horticulture Crew Chief, who retires this month. Over the past three decades, he and his crew have planted many of the shrubs, flowers and trees in the Park that have shaped the landscapes. He can assess flat and sloping grade of a lawn with laser-like precision and knows many of the trees personally. “I can recall the year and season most of these trees were planted. Everything that grows in Prospect Park has a story.”

Originally from Grenada, Franklyn moved to Brooklyn in 1976. He was a horticulturalist at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for many years before coming to Prospect Park in 1985, just two years before the Alliance was founded. He supervises a crew of Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks horticulturalists and maintenance workers, reflecting the partnership that makes Prospect Park so great. Most people know that groundskeepers are essential to the Park, but few people know what a horticulturalist actually does. Obviously they plant, water and prune, but in Prospect Park they also install fencing, repair trails, mulch, fertilize, deliver supplies, propagate native plants and remove invasive species.

We asked Franklyn if he had any words of wisdom for future horticulturalists and the general public. His answer was simple: upkeep. Prospect Park features hundreds of acres of landscaping that require year-round care. In the plant world, the health of the plants and trees need expert supervision. A lack of resources can spread the work thin, resulting in erosion, brittle branches and failing root systems. This is usually exacerbated by the damage of a powerful storm.

“Franklyn not only brought a set of highly skilled hands and eyes, he also brought a genuine and infectious sense of dedication that, by his example, his crews have always shared,” said Christian Zimmerman, Vice President of Capital and Landscape Management at the Alliance. “As Franklyn prepares to retire, he reminds us of the importance of the long-term care of Prospect Park. We will do our best to maintain the enormous impact he’s had on the Park.”

PPA Profiles: Daphne Dixon

April 1, 2014

Daphne Dixon has been a dedicated part of the Prospect Park Alliance since she started serving as a volunteer in 2012. In recognition of her service, the Alliance recently honored her with the 2014 Certificate of Appreciation at its annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch.

A resident of East Flatbush, Daphne became a volunteer because she wanted to get involved in her community. There are many places she could have devoted her time and energy, but Prospect Park was lucky enough to be her pick. She was first involved in the Parks Committee of Community Board 17 but then one day she decided that she “wanted to do more than be on a committee; she wanted to be hands-on.”

In 2012, Daphne began volunteering once a week at the Lefferts Historic House, the 18th-century Dutch Colonial farmstead and museum operated by the Prospect Park Alliance in partnership with the City. Her favorite duties include weeding the potato patches, planting in the teaching gardening, and helping out with the doughnut-making demonstrations. On days that the museum is closed, Daphne assists the maintenance crew by clearing leaf litter and debris from the lawns and trails. Jessica Jamhoury, Director of the Volunteer Department says, “It takes volunteers like Daphne to truly spread passion for the outdoors to Brooklyn’s youth. The community grows stronger everytime she visits Lefferts Historic House.”

When she isn’t devoting her time beautifying her beloved green space, Daphne enjoys “whatever catches her fancy” in the Park. This summer she plans to bring her grandson fishing and attend the concerts at the Bandshell.

Do you want to get hands-on in Prospect Park?
Find out more information about volunteer activities in the Park.
For those interested in volunteering with the Alliance’s education programs, join us for an orientation on April 9.

Alliance Launches Junior Volunteer Corps

March 3, 2014

Spring is an ideal time of year for young people to help keep Prospect Park beautiful. This March and April, the Prospect Park Alliance is launching a new program called Junior Volunteer Corps to encourage volunteerism in young people.

Children will learn the importance of giving back to the community while making a meaningful difference in the same Park where they learn, grow and play. “When it comes to raking leaves and clearing small debris, children are some of the Park’s most productive volunteers,” says Veronica Horvath, an Environmental Youth Services Coordinator at the Prospect Park Alliance.

Families and elementary-aged groups are encouraged to participate. To accommodate multiple neighborhoods, Junior Volunteer Corps will take place in different locations throughout Prospect Park on four weekends this March and April. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online.

Planning on taking part in the program? Share your experience with us on Facebook or Instagram.

The Prospect Park Alliance works with over 4,000 volunteers who give approximately 25,000 hours of service annually. The spring season of the volunteer program is just getting started! Learn about the wide range of programs for volunteers of all ages, and also for corporate groups.  Learn more about volunteering in the Park.

 

Making a Green Park Greener

You probably know that the LeFrak Center at Lakeside is a great place to skate, relax and enjoy the scenery; but it’s also environmentally sensitive. The Alliance, working with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, took careful consideration when designing the project, which was built in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Sustainability can be found in the project from its design through its construction. More than 84 percent of the construction waste was recycled, preventing more than 420 tons of waste from entering landfills. The LeFrak Center itself incorporates partially recycled and locally sourced materials, as well as paints, sealants, carpets and wood containing zero or very low levels of toxic chemicals. The LeFrak Center’s two green roofs create a natural insulation for the Center, which reduces the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building. To encourage non-automobile transportation, the Center also features a generous amount of bike racks, and will feature bike rentals this spring.

Wastewater is one of the biggest environmental impacts in the operation of a public facility. The LeFrak Center is outfitted with low-flow fixtures that will save over 205,000 gallons of water each year. A cistern recycles rainwater from the Center’s east building green roof, reusing it to water the plants and grass at Lakeside, which reduces runoff in the already overburdened city sewer system. The project also has added three acres of new green space to the Park, while the creation of the White Levy Esplanade and Baier Music Island has introduced new habitats for aquatic species.

c. Paul Martinka

PPA Profiles: Alex Boure

January 31, 2014

If you haven’t seen the Alliance’s Lakeside Maintenance Supervisor Alex Boure making his daily rounds in the Park, you’ve certainly seen his handiwork. Originally from Nigeria, Alex has worked with the Alliance for over four years. He now leads a crew of seven maintenance workers who keep Prospect Park looking its best, and take great pride in protecting the Park’s scenic beauty. His crew cleans litter and reports damage at Lakeside and throughout the east side of the Park. If this sounds like a monumental task, it is. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Park for relaxation and recreation. All this activity takes a toll on the Park. So, how does such a small team maintain so much public land?

The secret, Alex said, is to talk to people, and to smile and care. Sometimes a nice conversation can be the difference between properly discarded trash and a lawn full of litter. A five minute chat can save hours, he explained, and handing out free garbage bags doesn’t hurt. Over the years, Alex has formed friendships with a number of regulars. By engaging visitors, Alex instills them with a sense of ownership for the Park and a respect for its natural areas. His positive nature is contagious.

Recently, Alex’s crew added the LeFrak Center at Lakeside to their domain. The new skating rink is already a booming success. People from all over New York, and around the world, have come to glide across the ice, sip hot chocolate, and admire the view from the adjacent White Levy Esplanade. Far from viewing the crowds as a challenge to the Park’s upkeep, Alex is thrilled by the area’s popularity. The goal of a park, in his view, is to keep the people coming back. A litter-free park is just as much an attraction as the rolling hills, sweeping views, babbling streams, and unforgettable skating. We have Alex and his crew to thank for that.