Hamilton Grange Move Update: Grange Rolled Out To Convent Avenue

Dear Friends,

The Hamilton Grange began its journey to St. Nicholas Park yesterday. Below is an update from Darren Bock, Public Affairs Official at the National Parks Service.

Hamilton Grange National Monument yesterday made a big step forward on its historic journey to St. Nicholas Park. The Grange was rolled over a special railing system onto Convent Avenue. Wolfe House & Building Movers of Pennsylvania then began the process of lowering the house from 38 feet in the air back down to street level at about 3 p.m. The lowering of the home is expected to take two days, after which it will be placed on dollies for the move down 141st Street and into St. Nicholas Park on Saturday, June 7.

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park will be updating our blog with more information in the coming weeks, informing the community of road closures and other events associated with the move into our park.

Below is a montage of shots showing progression of the house being slowly lifted to a height for it to make it over the Church's arch.

Plum trees planted and fence painted during It's My Park! Day

A light, but hard-working group of volunteers arrived on Saturday for It's My Park Day. Three new plum trees were planted near the upper path of the park near the Great Lawn. This area was recently home to the Park's oldest tree - a tree estimated to be almost 150 years old. Unfortunately, a strong storm last month toppled the large tree leaving a huge vacant area. It has now received 3 beautiful full plums to take its place.

Also, some of our volunteers continued the iron fence painting project along St. Nicholas Terrace. We'll continue to use volunteer opportunities like today to finish to fencing which extends all the way to 141st street (the fence is currently painted to 137th-138th Street).

Thanks to all our volunteers and thanks to our great gardener Scott Farrington, whose hard work and vision allows us to have such a wonderful park.

Pictures of the day are below.


Carol poses with one of the new plum trees



A little helper goes a long way!



Valerie and Laura paint the terrace fencing through very tough winds



Josh, Scott, and Mike finish the job of planting the large plum trees!

It's My Park! Day - Tomorrow Saturday May 17th from 11am-4pm

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 17th is It's My Park! Day in St. Nicholas Park. This day is devoted to planting trees, painting fences, and getting the park ready for its summer use. We need as many people as ever to help our gardener keep our park beautiful. The event is from 11am to 4pm throughout the park. An information table will be set up in the 135th street plaza (135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue) providing info and water to participants.

Our event will take place rain or shine (we expect a chance of showers tomorrow). Please dress appropriately in clothes suitable to working in the soil and planting. If you have a pair of work gloves please bring them, but don't worry if you don't - we'll have work gloves available for all volunteers. We'll also have water for all volunteers.

If you have any questions about tomorrow's event please let us know at info@stnicholaspark.org.

Thanks and see you tomorrow in the park!


Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Monthly Meeting this Tuesday and It's My Park! Day next Saturday<<

Dear Friends,

We are holding our monthly meeting this Tuesday 7pm at St. Mark's Church. St. Mark's Church is located at 55 Edgecombe Avenue at the intersection of 137th Street, Edgecombe and St. Nicholas Avenues. This is an important meeting because we need lots of volunteers to make our exciting summer events happen! Please spread the word and bring a friend or two! Some of our new events this year include the possibility of hosting an art fair. We are need volunteers for our always popular Historic Harlem Parks Film Festival.




Next Saturday, May 17th is It's My Park! Day in St. Nicholas Park. This day is devoted to planting trees, painting fences, and getting the park ready for its summer use. We need as many people as ever to help our gardener keep up our beautiful park. The event is from 11am to 4pm throughout the park. An information table will be set up in the plaza providing info and water to participants.

WE NEED HELP SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT ITS MY PARK DAY!

We have uploaded posters that you can download and make copies of to help us promote this event around St. Nicholas Park. Instructions are below:

1. Go to: http://groups.google.com/group/Friends-of-St-Nicholas-Park/files

2. Download the File called IMP_Poster_English.pdf or IMP_Poster_Spanish.pdf

3. Print out the poster on your printer, or save to a CD or email a copy to your local print shop.

4. On the lower part of the poster be sure to write: "11am-4pm St. Nicholas Park 135th Street Plaza"

5. Then take these posters and help us spread the word by placing posters in your buildings lobby, at your favorite coffee shop, your church, or your school, etc. (always get permission before hanging them though).

Thanks for your help and look forward to seeing you at Its My Park! Day


Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Hamilton Grange Ready To Move!

Below is an email from the National Park Service concerning the upcoming move of the Hamilton Grange:

The National Park Service is pleased to announce that Hamilton Grange National Memorial will soon make the long-anticipated and historic journey from Convent Avenue to its new home in St. Nicholas Park. Beginning around May 26, 2008 (date subject to change) and lasting until approximately June 6, 2008, Alexander Hamilton’s home will be lifted in one piece up and over the porch of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and onto Convent Avenue. On Saturday morning, June 7, the Grange will move south on Convent Avenue, turn east onto 141st Street and then right into the northwest corner of St. Nicholas Park, where preparations will begin to place the Grange onto its new foundation.

The National Park Service (NPS) has been working closely with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, NYPD, FDNY, City College of New York, the Department of Transportation and others, to ensure the safety of the Grange’s valued neighbors and to minimize disruptions during the move. What follows is the current move schedule and projected street closures that may directly or indirectly impact the neighborhood.

MOVE SCHEDULE

May 26 through June 7, 2008: (Please keep in mind that the move is a complex operation and unforeseen events, such as severe weather, could result in changes to the schedule)

Phase 1: Currently in place until May 26

East side of Convent Avenue sidewalk in front of the Grange is closed.

Phase 2: May 26 to June 6

Convent Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from West 142nd Street to West 141st Street. The west side sidewalk of Convent Avenue will remain open to residents and pedestrian thru traffic.

Phase 3: 9:00 am Friday, June 6 to 6:00 pm Saturday, June 7

Convent Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from West 142nd Street to south side of West 141st Street, but will be open to residents ONLY, under contractor escort. West 141st Street will be closed for vehicular traffic from St. Nicholas Ave. to Amsterdam Ave. Pedestrian traffic will be allowed from St. Nicholas Ave. up to within 100’ of Hamilton Terrace (with limited and controlled access for residences) and from Amsterdam Ave.to just west of Convent Ave. Vehicular access onto Hamilton Terrace off of West 141st Street will be closed except for emergency vehicles. By 6:00 pm Saturday, all streets will be fully re-opened to vehicles and pedestrians.

*Emergency vehicles and/or personnel will have access to all affected streets and residences throughout each phase of the move.

Public Meeting – Thursday, May 8, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

For a more detailed presentation of the move and to answer your questions and concerns, the NPS will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Room 250, Shepard Hall, City College of New York.

We appreciate your patience as we move one step closer to moving the Grange. We will keep you continually updated with changes or new information. We hope to see you at the public meeting on May 8. In the meantime, if you should have any questions please contact Darren Boch at Darren_Boch@nps.gov or 212-668-2251 or Albert Atchison at 212-666-1640.

Darren Boch

Public Affairs Officer

National Parks of New York Harbor

c/o Federal Hall National Memorial

26 Wall StreetNew York, NY 10005

Office: (212) 668-2251

Cell: (646) 761-0656

www.nps.gov/npnh/parknews

Coffee warms everyone at chilly May Coffee Bark

With temperatures feeling more like winter than Spring, St. Nick's Dog Run faithful came out for the monthly coffee bark. As sponsor of May's Coffee Bark, Diane West of New York Tails Magazine was on hand with free copies of the magazine as well as doggie bag clips and dog treats. She soon became the favorite of all the St. Nick canines. Below are some photos of the event.

If you want more information about the Coffee Bark or would like to volunteer, please contact us at dogpark@stnicholaspark.org.

Next month's Bark takes place on Saturday, June 7th from 9-11am.

Julia trying to decide between a munchkin or regular donut.

Miguel and Blanca enjoying the treats at the Bark

Jehanne with Park's Project Manager Brad Romaker, who came up from Chelsea because his dog Buddy "loves this Dog Run sooo much!" (Brad helped the group design it!)

The sniff parade near the entrance of the dog run.

Derek and Julia relaxing at the Coffee Bark

The annoying pinhead Guffman and his constant begging for more treats!


The highlight of the Coffee Bark was sponsor Diane West from New York Tails Magazine who provided free copies of her magazine, dog bag clips and treats.

Teach your Child to Ride a Bike Day this Saturday 10am-1pm

Saturday, May 3rd from 10am-1pmSt. Nicholas Park will be hosting the Teach your Child to Ride a Bike Day.

Bring your child, a bike, and a helmet for this free, fun event to show your child how to ride a 2-wheeler using the tried and true “no pedal” method. Pre-Registration is required. For more info call 311 or visit http://www.bikenewyork.org/education/classes/teach_child.html.

Sponsored by NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.