87th A.D. Office Grand Opening

   Saturday April 13th was the official grand opening of the 87th A.D. office of Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda at 1973 Westchester Avenue. This is the same office that the previous assemblyman Peter Rivera had, but according to Assemblyman Sepulveda the office was rearranged to what he and his staff feel will serve the community better. The front is a brighter and the front window will display important information such as job listings that were there on Saturday April 13th as you can see in the photos above and below.

Left - is one of the signs that was put up to announce the grand opening of the new 87th A.D. office of Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Right - You can see job listings for the Bronx Botanical Garden posted on the front window of the new 87 A.D. office.

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Patio Top Seller - Shop and Save on The Belvedere Wicker Patio Furniture Collection (Orange) at Target

Zaro's Parkchester Store Closed

  In what appears to be the closure of Zaro's Bread Basket located at 29 Metropolitan Avenue by the Board of Health Wednesday April 9th after a second inspection the store remained closed as of our visit on Saturday April 13th as you see in the photos below. There was no one inside the store or any notice of when the store would reopen. Several shoppers in and around the store were surprised to see what had happened.

Left - The outside of Zaros Bread Basket located at 29 Metropolitan Oval in the Parkchester section.

Right - A view through the door of the closed store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left - The grade pending sign  dated March 23, 2013.

Right - The Yellow notice that the store has been closed by the Department of Health dated April 9, 2013.

Wave Hill Events April 26–May 3

Oh, my, oh, May! Ever transforming in spring, the gardens leave us breathless. Birds, blossoming boughs, bees…it often feels like the best of times for a garden. The trees get to proclaim the beauty of the season first, all through Arbor Week, ending April 28.

 

SAT, APRIL 27   FAMILY ART PROJECT—FLY ME TO THE DOVE TREE

Fly Me to the Dove Tree/El árbol de la paloma

Visit Wave Hill’s dove tree to observe the beautiful white flower-like bracts that give this tree its name. Then, using natural materials and paper, make a dove tree sculpture, or use plaster of Paris to create a flock of doves. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, APRIL 27    BEST TREES FOR THE SMALL GARDEN

Are you thinking about planting a tree for your yard but overwhelmed by the choices? Enjoy a spring walk around Wave Hill as a garden interpreter highlights some great trees with four seasons of interest, suitably-scaled to the smaller garden. Free with admission to the grounds. This Arbor Week walk also takes place on April 20, 21 and 28.

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

 

SAT, APRIL 27    BIKES AND NATURE: EXPLORING BRONX TREES

Join us on a low-impact bicycle tour of some of the great trees in Riverdale and surroundings with professional tree photographer Benjamin Swett, author of New York City of Trees. Organized by Wave Hill’s Nature and Art Programs Manager Gisela Insuaste and Boogie Down Rides, a Bronx-based bicycling and art project, this nature-based bicycle tour will start off-site and end at Wave Hill, exploring some of the trees and their stories highlighted in the book. Ride starts in Northern Manhattan at the southeast corner of Isham Park at Broadway and W. 211th Street at the 207th Street/Inwood subway stop on the A train. Ride ends at Wave Hill.  This event is free, but registration is required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Registrants may visit Wave Hill free of admission after the ride. Arbor Week event.

MEET AT SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ISHAM PARK, 10AM−1PM

SAT, APRIL 27    PRUNER PRIMER

Are your garden tools clean, sharp and ready for your spring chores? Observe and learn as students from Wave Hill’s Forest Project Summer Collaborative demonstrate the care and maintenance of hand pruners. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Arbor Week event.

ON THE GROUNDS, NOON

SAT, APRIL 27   “THE PROPER CUT” PRUNING DEMONSTRATION

Even healthy trees and shrubs may require occasional pruning. Join students from Wave Hill’s Forest Project as they discuss tool selection and demonstrate proper cutting techniques for woody plants in the Abrons Woodland. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Week event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM

SAT, APRIL 27    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s spring exhibition, Drawn to Nature, which features the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world. In the Sunroom Project Space, Matthew Jensen’s installation showcases found objects from the east and west coasts of the Bronx. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, APRIL 28    ARBOR WEEK TREE GIVEAWAY

Thanks to a partnership with the MillionTreesNYC initiative at New York Restoration Project, Wave Hill welcomes families, individuals and community groups to pick up a free tree for planting on private property within the five boroughs of New York City. Staff horticulturists will be on hand to help you make your selection and simple tree planting and care instructions will be available. At home, all you’ll need is a spade, a place to plant and access to water. Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. A variety of trees will be available; these may include small flowering trees, fruit trees and shade trees. Check back closer to the event date for a list of tree species. Tree sizes will range from 3 to 8 feet and may weigh anywhere from 10 to 50 lbs.  NEW THIS YEAR: Reserve your tree online to ensure that you get your top choice! A link to online reservations will be posted in early April. 

VISITOR PARKING LOT, 9–11AM

SUN, APRIL 28    FAMILY ART PROJECT—FLY ME TO THE DOVE TREE

Fly Me to the Dove Tree/El árbol de la paloma

Visit Wave Hill’s dove tree to observe the beautiful white flower-like bracts that give this tree its name. Then, using natural materials and paper, make a dove tree sculpture, or use plaster of Paris to create a flock of doves. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Week event.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, APRIL 28    MEET THE ARTIST: MATTHEW JENSEN

Brooklyn-based Matthew Jensen’s artistic practice investigates how public perception of landscapes affects the experience of these spaces. His Sunroom Project will showcase two Bronx collections. The “west coast” component, a totemic structure displaying objects collected in and around Wave Hill during his 2012 Wave Hill Winter Workspace residency, will be constructed from a reclaimed Wave Hill beehive. The “east coast” assemblage will consist of artifacts found throughout Pelham Bay Park and Hunter Island, displayed in vitrines made from large chunks of dock foam, buoys and driftwood that litter the coasts of the park. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1:30PM

SUN, APRIL 28    BEST TREES FOR THE SMALL GARDEN

Are you thinking about planting a tree for your yard but overwhelmed by the choices? Enjoy a spring walk around Wave Hill as a garden interpreter highlights some great trees with four seasons of interest, suitably scaled to the smaller garden. Free with admission to the grounds. This Arbor Week walk also takes place on April 20, 21 and 27.

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, APRIL 28    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, APRIL 29

Closed to the public.

TUE, APRIL 30    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, APRIL 30   GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s spring exhibition, Drawn to Nature, which features the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world. In the Sunroom Project Space, Matthew Jensen’s installation showcases found objects from the east and west coasts of the Bronx. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

THU, MAY 2    SPRING INTO DRAWING   REGISTER NOW!

Session 1

Working from direct observation, participants learn to translate the complex forms of nature into two-dimensional images. Each week, students focus on different techniques and concepts including gesture, contour, perspective, proportion and positive/negative shape. Artist Rachael Wren offers demonstrations, individual guidance and critiques. All levels welcome. $180 Member/$210 Non-member. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Continues May 9, 16, 30 and June 6, 13.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 1–4 PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in April and until noon in May. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

 

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1,000 Trees Are Planted in Van Cortlandt Park

  On Thursday dozens of volunteers came to Van Cortlandt Park to plant 1,000 new trees as part of the Million Trees Program. Part of the group were several New York Knick  team cheerleaders, and former players John Starks and Larry Johnson. as you will see in the photos below holes were set up for the saplings that sat in pots to be planted. The volunteers were given gloves and shovels, instructed on how deep to dig, and how to remove the excess dirt from the emerging tree roots so they would be able to grow. One thing I noticed was that dozens of tree saplings were being planted almost next to each other, and I asked why they were being planted so close together. The answer I got was that some of the saplings will die off for one reason or another, grouping them tightly will produce more shade and density to keep out evasive vines (that were removed from some of the older trees), and it is better for the park population to have a dense forest area.

   There were some old trees that had fallen for one reason or another that were being left to become part of the eco-system  for insects, birds, and small animals to live in and off of. The dead tree would also become mulch after time again good for the soil. 

Left - Dozens of volunteers showed up to help plant 1,000 trees in Van Cortlandt Park.

Right - The New York Knick organization was well represented along with the new VCP Park manager on the far right.

Left - The Knick Cheerleaders may have looked pretty, but they soon got down to work as you will see.

Right - A few of the 1,000 new trees to be planted in Van Cortlandt Park.

 

Left - The Knick Cheerleaders each took a shovel and started digging.

Right - The girls are given instructions on how to place the sapling into the ground.

Left- Knick star John Starks guides his sapling into the hole he dug. Knick player Larry Johnson tells him how to do it as might have been the case on the basketball court.

Right - You can see several saplings that were planted in front of this large tree that came down during Hurricane Sandy.

LIU: CITY SLOW TO REPAIR PLAYGROUNDS

Audit Finds Four of Five Boroughs Late in Fixing Damaged

Or Dangerous Equipment and Surfaces in Parks

City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that a series of audits of the Parks Department found the agency has been slow to make both routine and emergency repairs to playgrounds.

 

“It’s bad enough that the City is slow in keeping up with routine maintenance and repairs to playgrounds, but it is unconscionable for the City to drag its feet on fixing hazards that can injure children,” Comptroller Liu said.  “No child should get hurt on a playground or play equipment that the City knows is damaged.  The Parks Department needs to better prioritize repairs to our children’s play areas.”  

 

The Parks Department oversees more than 1,000 playgrounds.  The agency’s district offices in each borough issue repair orders based on the observations of their staff and complaints from the public.  Many of these orders are for routine repairs and maintenance, but a small number are issued for repairs of hazardous conditions, such as dead tree limbs hanging over play areas, surface problems that can cause tripping, or exposed metal on play equipment.

 

The audits found that many routine — and even some hazardous — repairs go untouched for months, often taking more than a year to be resolved.  In addition, the audit found that the Parks Department has treated many conditions that could easily have been considered hazardous and classified as needing “Immediate Attention” by its Park Inspection Standards — thereby requiring attention within 30 days — as routine.  Although emergency conditions are to be resolved in 30 days, the agency lacks any guidelines for timely response to routine repairs and maintenance.  Among the five boroughs, only Staten Island playgrounds were consistently maintained and repaired in a timely manner.

 

The audits examined the Parks Department’s handling of work orders related to playgrounds, including Immediate Attention conditions reported by its Parks Inspection Program (PIP) inspectors, from April 1, 2011, through March 2012.  Comptroller Liu’s audits called on the Parks Department to better prioritize the repairs in order to focus on repairing hazardous conditions expeditiously.

 

 

Manhattan

The Parks Department issued 3,957 work orders for Manhattan playgrounds from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.  Most were routine work ranging from turning on water fountains and spray showers to repairs of play equipment.  Of the 3,152 repairs (80 percent), the Parks Department reportedly completed (as of June 18, 2012), it took more than one month to complete 32 percent (996) of these repairs.

 

Additionally, there were 392 Immediate Attention conditions, such as trip hazards, that were identified by PIP inspectors and were supposed to be resolved in 30 days, although 36 of them were not. 

 

Comptroller Liu’s audit also found that dozens of playground conditions could easily have been classified as requiring Immediate Attention if the conditions had been found by the PIP inspectors, but were not because they were reported by Parks supervisors and were not repaired for many months. (See table below)

 

 

Manhattan Potential Immediate Attention Hazards with Longest Wait Times for Repair

 

Hazard	Playground	Date Reported	Date Repaired	Days Elapsed
Fall hazard on very top step at 110th Street & Manhattan Avenue	Morningside Park	5/20/2011	3/8/2012	293
Trip hazard at tree pit from broken tree post	Clement Clarke Moore Park	5/4/2011	2/24/2012	296
Trip hazard on ground around water cover	Hell’s Kitchen Park	5/4/2011	2/24/2012	296
Worn out s-hook at bottom of climbing chains	McCaffrey Playground	4/20/2011	2/16/2012	302
Up lifted concrete trip hazard on sidewalk outside playground	Gutenberg Playground	4/16/2011	2/16/2012	306
Dead limbs hanging over play equipment	Matthews -Palmer Playground	6/5/2011	5/24/2012	354
Large limb broken and hanging down over 23rd Street sidewalk	Asser Levy Playground	5/31/2011	6/4/2012	370

 

Brooklyn

The Parks Department issued 4,731 work orders for Brooklyn playground repairs and maintenance from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.  The Parks Department completed just 3,541 (75 percent) of these work orders as of September 24, 2012.  Comptroller Liu’s audit found that, among the completed work orders, just 58 percent (2,043) were resolved in 30 days and 25 percent (868) took more than three months to correct. 

 

In addition, PIP inspectors identified 583 Immediate Attention conditions, of which 46 (8 percent) were not resolved within the required 30-day period.  Some of these took as long as 387 days to resolve. 

 

Finally, Comptroller Liu’s audit identified 63 of the work orders that could easily have been classified as needing Immediate Attention, requiring correction in 30 days, if the conditions had been found by PIP inspectors. (See table below)

Brooklyn Potential Immediate Attention Hazards with Longest Wait Times for Repair

 

Hazard	Playground	Date Reported	Date Repaired	Days Elapsed
Weld loose railing on Play Equipment. 5-foot fall hazard	Benson Playground	5/26/2011	2/15/2012	266
Exposed bolt on bottom railing of play equipment	Ethan Allen Playground	4/19/2011	1/11/2012	267
Trip hazard-missing cobble stones on East 68th Street opposite fire hydrant	Hickman Playground	5/9/2011	3/31/2012	327
Tree roots pushing up pavers causing a trip hazard	Jackie Robinson Park	7/31/2011	9/17/2012	414
Repair/Replace climbing on play equipment. Coating cracked, pinch hazard	Mother Cabrini Park	5/17/2011	8/28/2012	469

Queens

The Parks Department issued 6,164 work orders for Queens playground repairs and maintenance from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.  Of the 5,269 work orders that the Parks Department managed to resolve by May 29, 2012, Comptroller Liu’s audit found only 64 percent (3,385) were corrected within 30 days, and another 16 percent (832) waited more than 90 days. 

 

In addition, PIP inspectors identified 527 Immediate Attention conditions, of which 58 (11 percent) were not fixed within the required 30-day period.   

 

Finally, Comptroller Liu’s audit identified 55 work orders that could easily have been classified as hazardous conditions that needed attention within 30 days.  Some of these took more than 200 days to resolve. (See table below)

Queens Potential Immediate Attention Hazards with Longest Wait Times for Repair

Hazard	Playground	Date Reported	Date Repaired	Days Elapsed
Uncovered manhole	P.S. 42/Almeda  Playground	7/30/2011	2/12/2012	198
Loose rail on both sides of monkey bars platform	Glendale Playground	6/18/2011	1/12/2012	209
Protruding chain link fencing at eye level to be removed in handball court	Leo Ehrenreich-Austin St. Playground	6/19/2011	1/20/2012	215
QBC/A  [Queens Boro Command/ High Priority] Please cold patch in front of water fountain ASAP	Astoria Park-Charybdis Playground	6/24/2011	3/14/2012	264
QBC/S [Queens Boro Command/ Safety] Several uplifted curled edges of safety surface	London Planetree Playground	7/24/2011	4/20/2012	272

Bronx

The Parks Department issued 6,040 work orders for Bronx playground repairs and maintenance from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012. Of the 5,432 work orders that the Parks Department was able to address by September 24, 2012, the audit found that 90 percent (4,916) were completed within 30 days.

In addition, PIP inspectors identified 239 Immediate Attention conditions, of which 12 (5 percent) were not resolved within 30 days.  In fact, some took from 31 days to 129 days to remedy. 

Finally, the Bronx audit found 32 work orders that could easily have been classified as hazards demanding repair within 30 days. (See table below)

Bronx Potential Immediate Attention Hazards with Longest Wait Times for Repair

Hazard	Playground	Date Reported	Date Repaired	Days Elapsed
Hole in handball court surface, trip hazards at curb, by comfort station, and work out play equipment	Captain Rivera Playground	11/12/2011	8/9/2012	271
Remove dead limb, entrance to basketball handball courts	Matthews Muliner Playground	8/31/2011	6/11/2012	286
Very large limb down over play equipment	St Mary’s Playground South	8/29/2011	6/14/2012	291
Large dead limb over sidewalk. Can fall on parked vehicles, Story Ave. side	Story Playground	4/19/2011	4/24/2012	371
Dead branch hanging over swings, approximately 20 feet long and 6 inches in diameter	Ciccarone Park	7/18/2011	8/3/2012	383

 

Staten Island

The Parks Department issued 1,301 work orders for Staten Island playground repairs and maintenance from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.   Of the 1,206 work orders completed by May 29, 2012, 83 percent (1,001) were completed within 30 days.

In addition, PIP inspectors identified 90 Immediate Attention conditions, of which six (7 percent) were not resolved within 30 days.  They took 38 days to 63 days to resolve.

Finally, the Staten Island audit found 11 work orders that could easily have been classified as hazards demanding repair within 30 days but were not.  Some of these work orders took over 100 days to resolve. (See table below)

 

Staten Island Potential Immediate Attention Hazards with Longest Wait Times for Repair

Hazard	Playground	Date Reported	Date Repaired	Days Elapsed
I.S. 2 safety fences missing from bottom of backstop	Midland Field	6/14/2011	8/15/2011	62
Remove large hanging limbs in trees on Lincoln Avenue	Midland Playground	12/29/2011	5/21/2012	144
Check all shackles on top of swings, at least four are worn	Lopez Playground	9/11/2011	5/24/2012	257
Trip hazard due to protruding bollard	Midland Field	6/14/2011	5/3/2012	324
Fall Hazard. 6 inches wide, 1.5 feet deep, 100 feet long	Naples Playground	5/25/2011	5/17/2012	358

The five audits are available for download here: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/audit/yearlyview.asp

Background:

In March 2012, Comptroller Liu audited the Parks Department’s inspection process and found that, while inspectors were performing inspections in accordance with standards in many cases, the agency failed to fix hazards that its own inspectors flagged for attention.  A press release announcing the March 2012 findings is available here: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-03-022.shtm

The latest audits more closely examined the maintenance and repairs of playgrounds and determined if problems identified in the prior audit were limited or a systemic problem.

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