Winter / Spring 2015 - Friends of Fort Totten Parks

FRIENDS OF FORT TOTTEN PARKS
Newsletter
P.O. Box 604984, Bayside, NY 11360
(718) 670—3684
Winter/Spring 2015
Volume 10 / Issue 1
Our 10th Anniversary Edition?
omfort Station
& Parking Lot
NO WAY !
Hard to believe, but this is our 10th
year publishing the newsletter !
Constru
Construction is progressing on both the comfort
station and parking lot now that winter has lost it’s grip on the
weather. One of our signature spring events, Friends of Fort
Totten Parks Family Fun Day will be held back in
Fort Totten ! Word is , the parking lot will be open !! Stay
tuned !
FAMILY FUN DAY—2015
Saturday—June 13,2015
12 noon – 3 pm
Location: Fort Totten Park
Please join us for a fun afternoon of free activities including games, crafts, medical screening, pet
micro-chipping, demonstrations and more !
A lot of things have happened over the last ten years since we
started. A charter to open the park was written outlining the
framework for years to come. Buildings transferred usage, buildings removed to make way for green pastures, a master plan for
continued improvement of the park, expanded parking areas, a
dog run, countless trees planted, safe children's playgrounds
built, a comfort station, Friends of Fort Totten Parks Family Fun
Day, a Haunted Fort on Halloween, Friends of Fort Totten Parks
Halloween Event, Friends of Fort Totten Parks , Friends of Fort
Totten Parks Adult Painting Classes, Crafty Totten Kids Crafts,
pools, Back to School Event, nature walks, Ranger tours, Parks
Department , whew ! That’s a lot of progress !
It has taken countless hours by Friends of Fort Totten Parks
volunteers, NYC Parks Department Staff, Elected Officials &
local vendors to make the park what it is today. It also takes visitors to help make a park. Make sure you take a walk in the park
and take home good memories but also make sure you leave behind good wishes, not garbage !
The Fort on Haunted Hill—save the date !
4th of July Fireworks
City Councilman Paul Vallone announced that Fort Totten will host
fireworks this year in celebration of July 4th. The date will be
Wednesday— July 1st as not to interfere with other potential celebrations spectators might have. Mr Vallone noted that local bands may
perform before the show starts. The fireworks show will take place
over Little Neck Bay and spectators will be able to view them from
Little Bay Park along the shore. Check local papers or the Councilman’s website for more details .
AHOY ! Ferry Service
If you don’t know what a “Bronx Cheer “ is, you should have
been on hand when Mayor DeBlasio announced that the city
will begin ferry services from The Bronx and a variety of locations starting this spring.
Ghouls & goblins will walk the dark Fort again this fall.
Trusted Rangers will escort groups of brave visitors
through the fort with lanterns in hand. Look for the
date and time on our website and remember to dress
warm and bring your flashlight and your
……...nerves.
The Friends of Fort Totten Parks
Newsletter Committee
Contributing Writers & Editors
Advertising
Printing & Distribution
Lily Louis
Rick Spillman
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein
Pat Riot
Sylvia Johnson
Joe Branzetti
Fort Totten Is Not Just Another Park — It’s “Our” Park !
ASSEMBLYMAN
EDWARD C. BRAUNSTEIN
Assembly District 26
The Legislative Process
As your representative in the State Assembly, my chief
responsibility – and that of my colleagues – lies in drafting,
analyzing, and voting on proposals that affect all New Yorkers. Considering proposed new laws is one of the most important roles in my everyday responsibilities.
The New York State Legislature is unique in that it truly
allows for full citizen participation in the lawmaking process.
Thousands of laws are the result of ideas from people just
like you. That is why it is important that all New Yorkers understand the process of a how a bill becomes a law.
A proposed law starts as a “bill,” which is introduced in the
Legislature. Your bill can have many sponsors or it can have
only one sponsor. No matter how many sponsors a bill may
have, remember that all bills must pass both houses of the
Legislature – the Assembly and Senate. A bill will usually
have a separate Assembly and Senate sponsor.
Before it is passed by the Legislature, various committees,
made up of small groups of legislators, will examine and analyze a bill. Once it is approved by committees, it is put on a
calendar so it can be voted on by the full membership of the
Assembly or the Senate. In most cases – in both the Senate
and the Assembly – a bill needs at least half the members to
vote “yes” for it to pass. There are times, however, when a bill
needs more than half the members to vote “yes” for it to
pass. The bill must pass both the Assembly and the Senate
before the governor can consider it.
If a bill passes both the Assembly and the Senate, it is
then delivered to the governor for his or her signature. Once a
bill is delivered to the governor’s desk, it must be acted upon
within 10 days. The governor can sign the bill into law, or
without taking any affirmative action allow the bill to become
law without his or her signature, or he or she may veto or reject the bill. Should the governor veto a bill, a veto can be
overridden if at least two-thirds of the legislators in the Assembly and the Senate agree with the bill.
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein was born and raised in Bayside and now
resides in Whitestone with his wife, Stephanie. Assemblyman Braunstein was
elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010 to represent the 26th District in Northeast Queens...
World War I
A Travelers guide
When discussing World War I many think of the battlefield
itself , not the other places where the war would have an effect.
I mean , who thinks of
Jamaica Bay and
World War I?
Jamaica Bay is just
such a place. It was
home to the Rockaway Naval Air Station where seaplanes
The Curtis Model H - was an English made traveling to and from
aircraft developed by the United Kingdom for
Europe landed as well
the United States in 1913. It was the first
aircraft to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. as the departure point
(from Brooklyn !) Their maximum speed was of the first commer85mph and cost $33,000.00 each to build.
cial trans Atlantic
flight. The station
closed in 1928 and years later Robert Moses transformed the
area into what we now know as Riis Park. Adjacent to the air
station was Fort Tilden, a coastal artillery facility which is now
a NYC Park. (www.nyharborparks.org/visit/foti.html)
Queensborough College History Professor Mark Van Ells
, has written a book on the above subject titled “ AMERICA
AND WORLD WAR 1 - A Travelers Guide” centering around
the life of an American Soldier ( known in those days as a
‘ doughboy’ ) from basic training to the battlefield. The reader
travels to both sides of the Atlantic in this story while the rest of
the world marks the 100th anniversary of the war which
spanned 1914—1918. Mr Van Ells hopes the book will raise
awareness of World War I as that war turned the United States
into a superpower but it was sadly overshadowed by World War
II.
Officers of the Friends of Fort Totten
Co—President
Joe Branzetti
Co—President
Gary Forster
First VP
Al Evans
Second VP
Lily Louis
Treasurer
Lu Kernahan
Corresponding Secretary
Sylvia Johnson
Specialized Urgent Care from Cradle to College
210-31 26th Avenue (Bay Terrace Shopping Ctr)
Bayside, NY 11360 • 718-747-KIDS (5437)
www.pmpediatrics.com
Page two
www.FortTottenParks.org
Raccoons unmistakably
identified by their bandit
like masks as well as their
ringed marked tails are a
common sight almost anywhere you go these days
around here , mainly because they will eat just
about anything they find.
They can be found rummaging for food anywhere from forests,
marshlands, here in Fort Totten Park and quite possibly even in
your backyard trash can!
These foragers have dexterous front paws and long
fingers which allow them to feast on anything and everything
from crayfish and frogs, mice as well as raiding a nest or two for
their eggs. They will also feast on your prized vegetable garden
given the opportunity.
Raccoons are such adaptable mammals that they can
make their dens in a fallen log, a hollowed out tree and even a
house attic. Female Raccoons can have one to seven cubs in
early summer. The cubs generally stay in their nests for the
first two or so months of their lives before they move to the
ground to explore on their own under the watchful eye of
mother raccoon.
Raccoons are medium sized mammal native to North
America, weighing in anywhere from 8 pounds to 20 pounds
and have a body length between 16 to 20 inches. Common
raccoons can have either a grey coat or even a red coat with a
dense underfur to insulate them against the cold. Raccoons in
northern parts of the country will gorge themselves in spring
and summer with food to store up body fat as they spend most
of the winter asleep in their dens. - LKL
source, Wikipedia, National Audubon Society
March 31, 1895 - News flash
The steamer Continental ran aground on Hog's Back Reef
at Wards Island near Hell gate (currently under the Triboro /JFK
Bridge) in dense fog shortly after midnight. The ships passengers
were asleep when the accident occurred. They were all taken off
the grounded vessel the following morning. The ship was ultimately
pulled off the reef and was placed back into service between NYC
and New Haven CT.
The 2014 Halloween event held
during the day was met with crisp
winds and the sounds of family
and friends alike enjoying a day
out in the park. Inflatable rides,
pumpkin patches and a costume
contest topped the day of free
merriment. A good time was had
by all . Many thanks to all our volunteers and supporting vendors. Without
them , these free events could not happen.
North Brother Island—A Park?
It’s been over fifty years since North Brother Island has
been used as an island quarantine for the contagious
diseases of the times. Cholera, tuberculosis & scarlet
fever are just a few of the diseases that were treated on
the island. Typhoid Mary called North Brother Island
home until her death in 1938. After World War II the hospital on the island was used to house veterans and in the
1960’s a treatment center for drug addicts. Since then ,
the hospital and island have fallen into disrepair
Recently , the island was toured by members of the
NYC City Council in an effort to potentially revitalize the
island into a city park similar to the successful work done
to the ‘High Line’ & Governors' Island as public spaces.
North Brother island is part of a chain of islands
stretching from Hog Island down to Isle of Meadows off
Staten Island. With the exception of Randall's Island
next to the Triboro Bridge this chain of islands are uninhabited and not used by the public. North Brother Island
is located between Astoria Park , Hell Gate Bridge and
the upper east side of Manhattan.
Recent visits by Council members noted a ‘ haunting
melancholy’ feeling to the island given the history of the
island but feel an upgrade and public access would
change that feeling quickly. The views of Manhattan are
breathtaking. Stay tuned ! ( sources—NY Times)
New artwork
Live Adventurous . Go Outback
23 — 48 Bell Boulevard
Tel
Bayside , NY 11360
718—819 0908
www.outback.com
Page three
Connecting with Our Community
Please submit your request for Donations,
Fundraising, Sponsorship and
Youth Connection by visiting “community” at
www.DohertyInc.com
www.FortTottenParks.org
Meadow Lake
to get much needed TLC
M
eadow Lake, (located in Flushing Meadows—
Corona Park) originally a salt marsh is a man made lake ,
flooded as part of the plan to host the 1939 World’s Fair.
It is also the largest lake in New York City. Since the
1939 World’s Fair numerous events and wildlife including the 1964 World’s Fair , The Dragon Boat races , many
a fowl & fish call the lake home.
Unfortunately years of neglect and lack of technology
updates have left the lake in a reduced state. Excessive
algae blooms and invasive reeds along the shore choke
the water of oxygen needed by wildlife to survive. In addition, run off from nearby highways, spent BBQ coal and
even goose droppings have turned the water to a soup of
stagnation.
One water issue of concern that parents should be
aware of is a blue/green algae known as cyanobacteria
which can pose a health risk to people and animals. Contact (or drinking) the blue/green algae can cause nausea, vomiting, throat irritation skin rashes , breathing
difficulty and diarrhea . Don’t swim or ingest any water
that has an algae bloom on the surface just to be safe.
Some of the lakes in New York City are fed by municipal water supplies. In 1992 the Environmental Protection
Agency required cities to add orthophosphate to water
supplies to reduce the ill effects of lead poison from old
pipes. As a result, these high levels of nutrients fuel algae blooms. A green algae known as duckweed can completely cover the surface of a lake looking very much like
a green Astroturf or pea soup. This cover chokes the water and the fish living in it.
The answer is potentially complicated and centers
around two primary options. A large filtration system
similar to those used in a fish tank at home could improve the water quality or tapping into the natural water
sources below the lakes where possible. Time will tell.—
THE
EAGLE
HAS
LANDED
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK Much to our bewilderment, we at the FOFTP newsletter realized
that we never featured the official emblem of the United States of
America. What better time to relate this history in light of the pair
of bald eagles that were discovered in late January 2015 to be
building a nest within the environs of New York City?
A tug boat captain spotted the pair shuttling nesting material to
the top of an unused dock on a small uninhabited island off of
Staten Island. This is a great news as this is the first time this
once endangered bird is nesting in New York City in the last 100
years according to the National Audubon Society. Officials will not
release the actual location of this nest as to protect the birds and
the nest against poachers and crowds as the birds may abandon
the nest and their chicks if they are spooked.
The eagle population grows in the winter when the eagles from
Canada and Alaska fly to find areas with open waters and ample
food. An estimated 173 breeding eagle pairs live in New York
State and a pair of them have called New York City—home.
It is reported that the Bald Eagles species were almost wiped
out nationwide because of the use of pesticide DDT in the 1960’s.
However, since its ban in the 1970s the population has increased. It is thought that more eagles could pop up in the city as
more birds look for food..
“Because eagle numbers are increasing,” Bob DeCandido, a
Bronx-based ornithologist, told Audubon, “this is probably just the
beginning.” - LKL
sources, NY Times, National Audubon Society
Pat Riot
Stories, Email, comments and
suggestions can be Emailed to
[email protected]
Information source NYTimes 10.4.2014
Secure Your Future …...Enrich Your Life
JOAN D. SIEGEL
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER PROFESSIONAL
212-45 26th Avenue Suite 5
Bayside, NY 11360
718 423 7020
(Bay Terrace Shopping Center)
Page four
213-15 35th Avenue
Bayside, NY 11361
Phone: (718) 352-3800
Fax: (718) 631-2516
Www.FortTottenParks.org
VERY COOL PLACES TO EXPLORE
BAYSIDE MACARONI KID
A nationwide e-newsletter and website that provides information on
family friendly activities for parents that also focuses on Bayside &
northeast Queens ? Brilliant idea ! Beth Rivera & Kym Muscat are
the guardians of the site and cover a wide range of activities ( both
free and paid programs) for kids including events, shows, book reviews arts & crafts, cooking projects and activities that can be done
at home. Subscription is free to those who register.
www.bayside.com macaronikid.com
Signal Flags @ Sea
Before the internet, before the cell phone and even before the invention of the printing press people communicated. Signal flags were
primarily designed as a means for ships to communicate, they played
an important roll in safety and communications. The first documented use of signal flags appears to be the Galley Captains from
the Knights of Malta, (date uncertain—let’s just say a LONG time ago)
These signal flags announced the departure of a ship from harbor,
extended a greeting to passing ships or announced intention to engage in battle! The 17th & 18th centuries expanded use of signal
flags by the British enabled England to rule the seas with organized
attacks. During world Wars I & II signal flags and now the use of signal lanterns improved communication at sea. Today, signal flags are
primarily use as an additional way to communicate between ships at
sea and are known as the International Code of Signal Flags.
It’s fun to see a large tanker or sailing vessel enter a harbor and
understand what they’re saying via their signal flags. They are usually
flown from the bridge or the highest point on the vessel as to be seen
at great distances. A flag denoting what country the ship is from is
usually flown from the back of the boat (the stern) and visiting ships
will display a smaller ‘courtesy flag’ of the country they are in from a
high point of the boat. Best thing about signal flags? They don't need
batteries !
(BTW—can you figure out what we spelled above? - answer on page six.)
Link to signal flags—http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xf-ics.html
The Battle of Long Island - 239 th anniversary
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn
or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, fought on August 27, 1776, was
a defeat for the Continental Army under General George Washington and the beginning of a successful campaign that gave the
British control of the strategically important city of New York. In
the American Revolutionary War it was the first major battle to
take place after the United States declared independence on July
4, 1776. In terms of troop size, it was the largest battle of the
entire war.
212-00 23rd Ave,
Bayside, New York 11360
(718) 423-6111
Come see for yourself
why we're known as
"The Everybody Place."
Page five
RED TAIL HAWK CAM IN NEW YORK CITY
The New York Times has set up a live-streaming camera on
a 12th-floor window ledge outside of the office of the president of New York University located in Washington Square
Park, NYC. This year we're partnering with New York City
Audubon Society to bring you expert commentary and interactive features about raptors and their roles in their urban
ecosystem.
http://livestre.am/H080
The American Cancer Society hosts the
11thth Annual Relay For Life of Bayside
June 6- 7, 2015.
Relay For Life is a non-competitive overnight event where
teams walk around a track, relay-style, in honor and in
memory of those whose lives have been touched by cancer. The first lap at a Relay For Life is special. It’s the Survivor/Caregiver Lap. Cancer survivors from the community
are invited to participate in this victory lap. In the evening,
there is a luminaria candle ceremony. These luminarias
are purchased in honor or in memory of those who have
courageously battled this disease. The candles are kept
burning throughout the night, representing the healing
power of community and the importance of funding to find
a cure.
To register, participate, or volunteer, log on to
http://www.relayforlife.org/baysideNY
or contact Marlene Medina at 646-318-7636 or e-mail
[email protected].
 Early Childhood Programs including:
Nursery School, Not Quite Nursery, Not
Quite Nursery & free Pre-K For All
 After School Day Care
& Summer Camp Options
 Programs for Children with Special
Needs: After School Programs for
Children with Learning Disabilities,
ADHD, and Mild-Autistic Spectrum
Disorders, Social Skills Groups for
Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities
 Swim & Tennis Lessons
 Senior Swim
www.FortTottenParks.org
Queens
Still independent in 1888
50 th Anniversary of the World’s Fair
Fifty years ago this past summer, Flushing Meadows Park celebrated being the
location for the 1964 Worlds Fair. If you
were lucky enough to have gone to that
event , the memories will certainly bring a
smile to your face. It was a time before the
internet, cell phones, and supersonic airplanes. TANG was a popular beverage and
no one ever heard of the
internet.
The 1964 Fair was the
third such event to be held in
New York City and hailed as
an international and universal exposition whose theme was
“Peace
through understanding” and
d e d i cated to “Mans achievement
on
a
shrinking globe in an expanding universe”. The world recognized
the
12
story Unisphere as a symbol of the fair and our small planet.
American companies were given an opportunity to showcase technology and advancements in their products. “High Tech” computers were highlighted by Westinghouse, Cars of the future by
General Motors and Wireless telephones of the future by Bell
Telephone were just part of the showcased designs. Teletype
machines, punch cards and telephone modems were new technologies that amazed and intrigued the visitors. NASA and the
Department of Defense sponsored the “Space Park” on two acres
to showcase advancements on rocket technology. A section of the
Saturn V rocket along with a Titan II booster and the famed Gemini capsule were on display along with a full scale model of a state
of the art X-15 aircraft.
Over fifty one million people attended the fair at a time before
the moon landing in 1969 and during the Vietnam War . It was a
fair that made you wonder what was possible in America. It lead
the ideas that we would eventually take for granted and wonder, ‘
how did we survive without a cell phone ?
Ed note—A fun 50th Anniversary Worlds Fair website to visit to see
the pavilions is worth a look , http://www.nywf64.com/
January , 1888 , a grand time for Queens. The New Year had slogans like , “ press the button—we do the rest” and thus George Eastman introduced the Kodak Camera. The Presidential Election pitted
Benjamin Harrison against Grover Cleveland. (Harrison won btw) The
famous “ School House Blizzard “ struck from Texas to Dakota &
claimed the lives of 235 children making their way home from school.
In New York City, Katz’s Delicatessen was founded on the lower east
side of Manhattan.
Queens was not part of New York City at the time and spanned from
the East River out to the country side which is now all of Nassau &
Suffolk counties.
One night in mid January on the bustling docks of Long Island City an
explosion ignited the Standard Oil yards on 10th street and the East
River. The flames spread through the refinery starting additional fires
along Newtown Creek.
The Brooklyn Bridge broke records by having over two and a half
million people across its span in the prior month. Locals called for an
addition bridge to span the county of Queens to Manhattan. Then
Blackwell’s Island Bridge ( now known as Roosevelt Island ) became a
necessity. Vistors who crossed the new bridge would visit the the
Steinway section of Astoria quickly buying land. The Steinway Family (
of piano fame) offered four hundred acres for the construction of new
homes. This also served as convenient housing for workers who were
employed at the Steinway Piano Factory located on the East River and
Broadway in Astoria.
Queens has always been an ethnic global hub . German immigrants
met and toasted the New Year at Schutzen Park which was located on
Broadway and Steinway Street. Schutzen Park welcomed all , from
German singing groups to African Church groups and Presidential Candidates looking for votes.
Shipping was a big part of the Queens story as vessels from all over
the globe tied up in Long Island City unloading goods and exporting
materials, oil, food and even pianos for the corners of the world.
Ships bound for Europe also departed for destinations such as England and Australia.
Today , Queens is a thriving area very much associated with New
York City involved in trade, manufacturing and travel. A great variety of
cultures still flock to Queens bringing with them the culture and history
of their forefathers.
Source—Bayside Times & Astoria Historical Society
Our Flag
Sean R, Jordan
40 - 11 Bell Boulevard
Bayside New York 11361
718 281 - 1950
Page six
Answer to the question from page 5—What do the
signal flags at the top spell ? “ FOFTP “
Friends Of Fort Totten Parks
(owner)
212– 77 26th Avenue
Bayside, New York, NY 11360
(718) — 224 8500
M-F 10-9 / Sat & Sun 10-6
www.mymodernpet.com
Tequila Sunrise of Bayside
34-37 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 631-0377
New York City - Once the Sea of Ships
By Rick Spillman
For a period of roughly forty years from the opening of
the Erie Canal to the end of the Civil War, New York City
was one of the leading shipping centers of the world.
The North Atlantic packet trade was dominated by New
York ship owners, sailing fine packet ships built in New
York ships yards. The Rainbow, the first extreme clipper
ship, was built in New York, sliding into the East River from
Manhattan’s Corlear’s Hook . The Young American, Sea
Witch, Challenge, Comet and scores of others, which followed, would set records both for speed and profits. New
York merchants earned vast fortunes in the China trade
and the California clipper trade. Many New York institutions, from Columbia University to the Metropolitan Museum of Art were funded by money made in silk, porcelain and the opium trade. New York ship designers and
builders Webb, Griffiths, Steers and others, were, for a
time, the world’s finest, building ships powered by sail and
steam. In the Civil War, Ericsson built the revolutionary
battleship USS Monitor in just over 100 days in shipyards
and engine works in Manhattan and across the East River
in Greenpoint.Part of Whitman’s poem has survived as a
railing in the North Cove Marina in downtown Manhattan
on the Hudson River. - Rick Spillman
Ed note—Rick Spillman is a Father , an Author, Naval Architect ,
Videographer, Sailor & Friend.. He has a diverse backround &
has served aboard the replica ships HMS ROSE & HMS BOUNTY.
He maintains a daily blog known as “Old Salt Blog” where he
documents events and happenings related to worldwide news of
shipping, sailing and the sea. His recently published book, “ The
ShantyMan” is the follow up to “Hell Around The Horn” both set
around the turn of the 20th century and is a great read.
* www.oldsaltblog.com
COLEAR’S HOOK - Then & Now
Corlear's Hook was located on the SE part of Manhattan
currently where Jackson and Cherry street meet (along East
River Drive) . Owned by the Corlear Family along with the surrounding areas the marsh was also used by LeNape Native
Americans to land their canoes. During the Battle of Brooklyn
( August 1776) the British tried to land at Corlear's Hook in pursuit of General George Washington only to be thwarted by
earthen barricades placed there by the Colonial army. It allowed Washington additional time to retreat towards whats now
midtown Manhattan and an opportunity to fight another
day. Source - NYC Parks Dept.
Page seven
Sometime during the Civil War, the poet Walt Whitman wrote
a poem about New York City , titled “The City of Shps”. The
first stanza began :
City of ships!
(O the black ships! O the fierce ships!
O the beautiful , sharp bow’d steam-ships and sail-ships!)
City of the world! (for all races are here;
All the lands of earth make contributions here;)
City of the sea! Hurried and glittering tides!
City whose gleeful tides continually rush or receed, whirling in
and
Out with eddies and foam !
The Bronx River + Oysters = A good idea
Oysters, those yummy shellfish we order all year round and adorn
with various condiments serve a larger purpose believe it or not.
In the 1970’s the Bronx River was not a thriving marine ecosystem.
Chemicals, cars, and human waste clogged the river to make it less
habitable for marine life. One species of marine life did however hung
on—the oyster. They fixed themselves to tires, junk and anything they
could, waiting for the inevitable clean up that would occur. Now, decades later, the oyster emerges as a benchmark to guide scientists and volunteers
what needs to be done to bring the waterway back to its natural state.
Students from the Urban Assembly New
york Harbor School relocated approximately 100 thousand baby oysters (known
as spat on shells) to a one acre area just
off the shore of Soundview Park in the
South Bronx.
These oysters won’t end up on the menu or produce pearls but rather
will serve to filter waters and anchor the marine eco system to the
rocky bottom. Fish will have a place to feed and thrive. This tough little
mollusk is the first step in rejuvenating the waters around the Bronx
River and will have an impact on the health of surrounding waters.
Pat Riot
Sources, NY Times, Wikipedia , Bayside Times.
BOAT FOR SALE
Potential luxury yacht for sale by New York City. The Newtown Creek
is a 300 foot long steel ship powered by twin 1,500 horsepower diesel
engines that drive twin 7 ft diameter propellers. Built in 1967 , the
ship has sailed the waters of New York City on a daily basis. The boat
is listed on an on-line auction by the city and details can be found at
http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/nycdcas,ny/auction/view?auc=1327532
Oh, there are some important details. Since her launching, the
Newtown Creek has hauled human waste sludge. Sludge is residual
organic material removed from waste water during treatment. The
sludge then undergoes a dewatering process and converted into pellets which is now hauled away by truck to other states. The Newtown
Creek hauled 1.2 billion gallons of sludge per year and has developed
a ‘unique’ smell even though her cargo holds are now empty. Two
potential new homes for the ship include an artificial reef in Florida
and as raw metal via a scrap dealer in Maryland. Opening bid Price is
$235,000.00 / air fresheners—optional.
Source , NY Times
Friends of Fort Totten Parks and The New York City Dept. of Parks
Date:
Sunday, May 3 , 2015
Event:
Pets & Pals/Walk 4 Paws Party
Time:
12 noon – 3:00 pm
Location: Alley Pond Park (76th Ave off Springfield Blvd)
Description: Join us for a free day of family and pet fun.
Games, rides, craft projects, pet adoption, pet walks and microchip
clinic, animal demonstrations and more. Free giveaways.
Sponsored by Council Member Mark Weprin , Bobbi & the strays,
Central Vetrinary Associates & the Northeast Queens Park Adninistrator.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2015
Event:
Friends of Fort Totten Parks’ Family Fun Day
Time:
12 noon – 3 pm
Location: Fort Totten Park– Parade Grounds.
Description: Please join us for a fun afternoon of free activities
including games, crafts, give a ways, medical screening, pet micro
chipping, demonstrations and more.
Sponsored by The Friends of Fort Totten Parks, Council Member
Paul Vallone and the Northeast Parks Administrator.
Date:
Thursday August 6. 2015
Event:
Shakespeare’s—The Merchant of Venice
Time:
Kidd’s pre show 7pm— Main performance
7:30pm
Location: Crocheron Park ) across from Golden Pond)
Description: The ’Hip to Hip Theatre’ presents the
works of Shakespeare. The story is of a young Venitian
gentleman (Bassanio) who squanders all his money but
needs 3,000 ducats to travel to Belmont and woo the
beautiful Portia. His friend (Antonio) borrows money
from a loanshark for Bassanio and things get sticky
when Antonio is pressed to payback the loan. Bassanio
& Portia are pressed to help save Antonio’s life. We
won’t ruin the ending. Please bring a blanket or low
chair. Sponsored by Cord Meyer Development Corp.
Date:
Saturday, October 24,2015 *(raindate: October 25)
Event: Friends of Fort Totten—Halloween Festival
Time:
12 noon – 3:00 pm
Location: Fort Totten Park
Description: Join us for a free day of spooky family
fun. Games, rides, craft projects, costume contest,
pumpkin patch and goodie bags. Come one come all to
this free event.
Sponsored by The Friends of Fort Totten Parks, and the
Northeast Parks Administrator.
Date: Wednesday July 1, 2015
Event: Independence Celebration Concert
Time: 7 pm
Location: Fort Totten Park
Description: Join us for a fun patriotic concert featuring Bill
Costa and the ‘Something Special Swing Band’. This 18 piece
swing band will perform on the Fort Totten Parade Grounds as a
pre show to the fireworks scheduled after sunset. Bring a lawn
chair or blanket.
Sponsored by Council member Paul Vallone & the Bayside Historical Society
Date: Friday October 23
& Saturday October 24,
2015
Event: Haunted Lantern
!
oo
Tours in Fort Totten
B
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Fort Totten Park
Description: Join the
Urban Park Rangers as they
mix history with Halloween on a lantern tour of the historic Water Battery at Fort Totten. You must be on line
by 8:15 pm to be guaranteed admittance. Bring a flashlight & dress warm !
Photo credit is given when known. Other photos used are
from the internet and believed to be in the public domain. Please notify us if otherwise and we will either attribute credit or remove the photo. - Ed.
2015 FRIENDS OF FORT TOTTEN PARKS DONOR
Please join us in shaping the future of Fort Totten Parks by making a donation.
Name _____________________Address _____________________City/State ____________Zip Code_______
E-Mail Address _________________________________(for notices, updates and events)
Please make checks payable and mail to: Friends of Fort Totten Parks, PO Box 604984, Bayside, NY 11360
$5
$10
$25
Other
Are you interested in joining one of our many committees? _____Yes ____No
(We welcome your suggestions under separate note or via e-mail [email protected])
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Volume 10—Issue 1