People + Parks

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian.

www.frontrowphotos.com

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian.

www.frontrowphotos.com

Tuesday August 10, 2010 was a lucky day for 50 intermediate level golfers, ages 10 to 17.  The participants in CityParks Foundation’s free lessons presented by René Lacoste Foundation in parks across the five boroughs, got the chance to receive coaching from LPGA pro Cristie Kerr.  This opportunity at CityParks’ Junior Golf Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, allowed the young golfers to rotate through Sand Trap, Driving, Putting and Greens stations while receiving tips and techniques on how to improve their game from Ms. Kerr.  Ms. Kerr, the 2010 Winner of the LPGA Championship, led the clinic for young people and gave a demonstration of her practice routine.

CityParks Golf presented by René Lacoste Foundation makes it fun and easy for boys and girls 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 goal of the program is not only to teach the basics of the sport, but also to develop 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 youth golfers citywide.

Photos courtesy of Alan Roche.

Over 2,000 NYC Kids Compete in the Summer’s Largest Track & Field Sports Games at Icahn Stadium

Yesterday was City Parks Foundation’s 9th 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 registered participants of the City Parks Track & Field program an opportunity to experience the exhilarating spirit of the Olympics, close to home.

Teams of kids ages 5-16 from the 12 City Parks Track & Field sites across the city competed in various events throughout the day, including Javelin, Shot Put, Long Jump, 400 Meter Run, and 4×100 Meter Relay, among others. The event also included a Giant Shuttle Relay Race and 55 Meter Dash for Peewees (ages 5-7). Championship medals at Peewee, Beginner, and Intermediate levels were awarded to first and second place winners.

Below are the final standings for overall points per park that participated!  Check out how your neighborhood compared to the competition…

Large Parks Team Scores

1 Astoria 229

2 Pelham Bay 185.5

3 Juniper Valley 183.75

4 Forest Park 135

5 Jefferson 43

Small Parks Team Scores

1 Betsy Head 120.75

2 Kaiser 112

3 Red Hook 95

4 Macombs 75

5 Linden 71

6 East River 48

7 Roy Wilkins 30

City Parks Foundation’s CityParks Track & Field program, funded by ING Run for Something Better, is now in its seventh year of offering free track & field instruction for boys and girls ages 5-16, with lessons held twice a week from July through August in parks citywide.

More information on all of CPF’s programs can be found at www.CityParksFoundation.org.

Photos courtesy of Alan Roche.

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian.

www.frontrowphotos.com

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian.

www.frontrowphotos.com

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian.

www.frontrowphotos.com

Photos courtesy of Jack Vartoogian

www.frontrowphotos.com

Photos courtesy of David Atlas.

www.davidatlasphotography.com

Photo credit: Transportation Alternatives

Tonight’s show at East River Park will be a first.  Not only is it the first time SummerStage rolls in to the park, but now you can “roll in” too—with our first ever free bike valet service.

SummerStage has teamed up with Transportation Alternatives to bring this free bike valet service to all 13 shows at East River Park, running from August 4-27.  This new initiative hopes to make shows more accessible to cyclists, promote alternative means of transportation and encourage the use of green spaces in the Lower East Side.  It works just like a coat check: just drop off your bike, get a ticket and relax and enjoy the show!

So as you listen to the tunes of George Lamond or White Rabbits, or take in a production of Goodbar or Five Days in March, your bike will be safely under the protective eye of of the friendly folks at Transportation Alternatives.

Check out the complete line-up of our East River Park shows that offer FREE Bike Valet Service below: