Parks Lecture: Alexander Hamilton and the National Triumph of New York City

In celebration of the Hamilton Grange’s recent move into St. Nicholas Park, come join historian Warren Shaw for a discussion of New York’s formative influence on the nation, through Alexander Hamilton.

Thursday, February 26th 7pm

East 54^th St. Recreation Center (348 East 54^th St. Between 1^st and 2^nd Aves.)

Map to recreation center

Abandoned Dog Needs a Home!

Dear Friends,

This email came in from Yasmin (Nina's Mom). A nice female pit bull mix pup was found and needs a home. Details and more photos below:

From Yasmin Lauz

I found this dog this morning and I had to turn her in to ACC. (Database record can be found here online) or go to www.nycacc.org and look up dogs that were found yesterday. She is listed.


If anyone is interested they have 72 hours in the lost and found. And then depending on how many dogs are there and if they cant get a rescue to take them they may euthanasia within 3 days. She has had a litter maybe a couple of months ago. She is no longer lactating though so maybe they'll be kinder to her.

I or should I say my dog found her in Jackie Robinson in the bushes right by the gates by the hand ball court rolled up in a small ball and shivering. She could barely walk she was shivering from the cold.I brought her in to ACC cause I couldn't leave her at home. She seems to be gentle and wanted to sniff with my dog Nina but Nina was nervous around her so I can't take her. She is a medium sized dog, extremely emaciated. She was very gentle with my dog, when I fed her she ate from my hand. I put down a food bowl and when I took it from her there was no food guarding issue. I wiped her down and cleaned her feet and there was no issue touching her in any way. And the male worker at the ACC had no issue picking her up or putting a leash on her. She seems confused but she began to relax when I brought her home. She didn't do her business in my apartment this morning either so she may be housetrained.

I fed her and gave her some water and warmed her up some before I brought her to ACC . I've been trying to contact Stray from the heart. Posh pet rescue and animal haven to see if they can pull her. Posh pets responded right away they keep a look out for her. If anyone can foster posh pets will pull her. I gave north shore a call and they were going to forward the info to whoever is in charge of adoption area I also left a message and emailed animal haven. Bide a wee NY is full but their wantagh shelter will be going there this week but no one is answering their phones. Most likely she'll get kennel cough for being there.

They tested her at ACC and I'm enclosing the listing. They said she is timid, and nervous but otherwise there are no behavior issues she is 35LBS she should be 50lBS. They haven't tested her with other dogs but they don't think that it may be an issue since she didn't react to any of the other dogs there and she did well with my dog . She does have a Mange and they are treating her for it its on her forehead she may have been scratching that may account for some of the scratches.

Holiday Tree Lighting brings Cheer During Chilly Evening

On Saturday night the Friends of St. Nicholas Park hosted their annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. Below is a link to some of the photos of the event. By the time our entertainment and activities ended, we had a brilliantly lit tree and very little cider or hot chocolate left.

Click here to view more photos of the event!

We want to call out a few individuals who helped make our event happen.

Special thanks to:

Risa Rottenberg who organized this year's event.

Michael Jones, who played Santa Claus.

Our Arts and Crafts staff, Laurel Peacock and Susan Mende.

Waldron Rick who entertained us with his brilliant trumpet playing.

The Dorothy Maynor Singers, and Byron McCray at Harlem School for the Arts.

The members of the Friends of St. Nicholas Park who volunteered and helped make this event possible including Julia, Carola, Josh, Adrien and William.

St. Mark's Church for providing their kitchen and tables. Without St. Mark's our events could not happen.

Tamara Tunie for giving another inspiring performance to get everyone into the Holiday spirit.

The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and all those who have made donations to the Friends of St. Nicholas Park throughout the year.

Friends' Holiday Festival and Tree lighting This Saturday Dec. 6th!

This Saturday, Dec. 6th from 3pm-6pm the Friends will be hosting our Annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at the 135th Street Plaza in St. Nicholas Park. This year includes arts and crafts, and a visit from St. Nick (Santa Claus). Families will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus for a small donation to the Friends organization. Tamara Tunie - star of TV's Law and Order SVU will recite 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas"). Also performing will be dancers and a choir from the Harlem School for the Arts.

Saturday, December 6th marks St. Nicholas Day. This day marks a popular day in Germany where children had left a boot or stockings out for St. Nick to fill with goodies. The day is still practiced among German neighborhoods in the US.

Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider will be served at the event.

This year the Friends are also giving everyone who donates $10 or more to the group an opportunity to have a personalized message written on an ornament and hung on their tree. For more information click here.

Friends' Announce 2008 Holiday Fundraising Drive

DONATE AS LITTLE
AS $10 AND GET A PERSONALIZED ORNAMENT ON THE ST. NICHOLAS PARK HOLIDAY TREE!

For this holiday season, the Friends of St. Nicholas Park will be writing a message from you or your family on a personalized ornament and hang it on our tree.

Click below to download the PDF. Fill it in with all the information and send in to Friends of St. Nicholas Park and we'll get your ornament up on our tree.

The tree will be up until just after the New Year, so New Year's wishes are welcomed as well.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OR ORNAMENT DONATION FORM

This form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - a free program. Click to download it.

Visioning statement from 2005 shows much progress in St. Nick Park

The St. Nicholas Park visioning statement created in 2005 by Partnership for Parks and a coalition of area community groups, list major goals to be reached for the park in coming years. Three years later, some of the goals have been reached while others still need some work. Please download and read this important document. The Friends of St. Nicholas Park invites anyone to help us make all the goals on this document a reality. For volunteer information please email us at info@stnicholaspark.org.

You can also join our email list by clicking here to our join Google group.

Download the PDF of the 2005 St. Nicholas Park Visioning Statement

HAMILTON GRANGE: Public Input Sought on the Use of Convent Avenue Site

The following announcement was made by NPS via Darren Bock:

The National Park Service (NPS) develops a General Management
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) that serves as a projected
long-term framework for the management and use of an NPS site. The GMP/EIS
for Hamilton Grange was published in 1995. The final plan called for the
relocation of the Grange from Convent Avenue to St. Nicholas Park and for
NPS to “restore the Grange, to the greatest degree possible, to its
appearance during Hamilton’s residency (1802-04).” This past June, NPS
moved the Grange and is in the process of restoring the home so visitors
can fully appreciate the historical context and significance of Hamilton’s
home.

The Hamilton Grange GMP/EIS also specified action for the redevelopment of
the Convent Avenue property once the home was moved. The plan called for
turning the existing site into a new structure for public and NPS uses.
However, this provision of the 1995 GMP/EIS is no longer feasible and will
be amended.

Amending the GMP/EIS will involve consultation with the public, both to
generate ideas and to comment on alternatives. NPS will ask the public to
help identify feasible alternatives for the Convent Avenue site. By the end
of this year we hope to begin the public scoping process, and will
communicate via a variety of media on opportunities for the public to
comment.

>>Friends of St. Nicholas Park will continue to update members via email and on this blog. Stay tuned for future meeting information<<

November Coffee Bark Photos!

Hey all,

We had another successful Coffee Bark this past Saturday. Lots of people welcomed the very crisp weather with some hot coffee (thanks Mike), donuts, and lots of doggie play! Join us next month at the Coffee Bark on Saturday, December 6th. December 6th is a special Coffee Bark since we will be encouraging doggies to dress up in holiday costumes (antlers, Santa suits and more). More info to come. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Thanks!

November Coffee Bark this Saturday, Nov 1st 9am-11am

The St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Bark happens this Saturday, November 1st from 9am-11am. Come enjoy the Fall weather at the Dog Run with some coffee, donuts and fun while socializing with fellow dog owners and discussing issues concerning St. Nicholas Park and St. Nick's Dog Run. The St. Nick's Dog Run is located in the middle of St. Nicholas Park between 136th and 137th streets. If you are interested in volunteering for the Coffee Bark, contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Hope to see you there!

It's My Park! Day - next Saturday Oct 25th from 11am-4pm

Dear Friends,

Next Saturday, Oct 25th 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 the Winter and Spring. This year we are planting a couple of more gardens in the park and we need all the help we can get. 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. 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!

St. Nick's Dog Run Newly Chipped and Cleaned!

Thanks to the volunteers who came out on this gorgeous Saturday to help spread woodchips and spruce up the St. Nick's Dog Run. We have more woodchip piles for the run and may take those up in a couple of weeks during It's My Park! Day.

Below are some photos of the clean-up day. If you would like to volunteer for either a Coffee Bark or a Clean-up Day please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Thanks!

October Coffee Bark - Fun for Fall!

There was a great turn out today at the St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Bark. The cool weather certainly made the case for some warm coffee which went really fast (sorry for those who were a little late and could not enjoy the coffee). Thanks to all the volunteers who brought donuts, coffee (Mike that coffee was awesome this morning) and other items to make this another successful coffee bark. Below are some photos from today's bark.

The next coffee bark will take place on Saturday, November 1st from 9-11am. If you are interested in helping out please let us know at info@stnicholaspark.org.

St. Nicholas Park Hosts First Bloom with the First Lady

First Lady Laura Bush watches as participants in the First Bloom project at Hamilton Grange National Memorial discover the different things -- from bugs to twigs -- that can be found when you shake the branches of a shrub. Photo taken Sept. 24, 2008.

By Mindi Rambo, NPS (National Parks Service)

Hamilton Grange National Memorial in Harlem, served as the backdrop on September 24 for the second First Bloom event in New York City. First Bloom is a National Park Foundation (NFP) program that connects children to national parks through planting and gardening projects.

First Lady Laura Bush, NPF Honorary Chair, took a tour of the Grange, which moved June 7, and received a briefing on the historic building’s restoration from Stephen Spaulding, the National Park Service’s chief of architectural preservation division for the northeast region.

Mrs. Bush joined children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Harlem and local schools on the grounds below the house and talked with them at a variety of “stations” where the children were learning about different aspects of gardening. At one table, she saw how they had planted seedlings in compostable pots. Kneeling next to the students at another station, Mrs. Bush took a keen interest in what they discovered when the shook a shrub and sorted what fell onto a tarp – mostly bark and insects. She also heard about their plans, which for one boy means growing up to become an architect.

“[First Bloom’s] a way to connect kids to their parks, their closest national park. And this, the Alexander Hamilton house behind us, is one of our national historic sites,” Mrs. Bush said. “And this neighborhood is going to get to watch while this house is restored. … There’s a historical architect who’s working on it, so it will be historical restoration. And while they watch the house being restored the kids in the neighborhood, and other community members, are going to be involved in planning the site.”

First Bloom was launched in 2007 by Mrs. Bush at the NPF Leadership Summit.
The program provides children in urban environments with the opportunity to get their hands in the dirt and experience planting and gardening in their neighborhoods and our national parks. It is believed that these efforts will “plant the seeds” of conservation and environmental stewardship in the next generation. Program partners include the NPS, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and community organizations that serve children.

The previous First Bloom event in New York took place at Castle Clinton National Monument on April 21, 2008

First Lady Laura Bush (far left) watches as Stephen Spaulding, chief of architectural preservation division for the northeast region of the National Park Service, talks with Nicholas Irving, a student who wants to be an architect when he grows up. First Lady Laura Bush arranged the introduction, when she learned about Nicholas' career plans during First Bloom at Hamilton Grange National Memorial on September 24, 2008. Photo taken Sept. 24, 2008.

Friends Monthly Meeting next Tuesday, July 8th at 7pm

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park are holding our monthly meeting next Tuesday, July 8th at 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! Below is a list of areas our group needs help in.

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 still in need volunteers for our always popular Historic Harlem Parks Film Festival which happens July 22 and 23rd in the Plaza.

Website Developer: someone who can help us update our website and blog with our events in our park.

Events Promoter: someone to volunteer to hang posters in local stores, recreation centers and our park’s bulletin boards to help us promote our events and meetings.

Flyer/Advertising Designer: The Friends have an opportunity to create ads and printed posters for our events. Unfortunately, we need a designer with some time to help us in this endeavor.

Event Volunteers: For our events, we need help in promoting the park to event attendees as well as gathering email addresses for our mailing lists.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Make Music New York Comes to St. Nicholas Park

Make Music New York takes place all day on the 135th Street Plaza (135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in the Park) this Saturday from 12pm-8pm. Musician line-up is below. Join the Friends of St. Nicholas Park in the park for a day of music.

Make Music New York is NYC's largest music event, with 850 free concerts on streets, sidewalks and parks, all on the first day of summer.

Noon–1pm: Martian Walrus And The Symphonic Winds And Brass (Jazz / Classical) An 8-member acoustic ensemble plays original works, from Baltic to Classical to Jazz/Improv. http://www.martianwalrus.com/

1pm–2pm: Tantra-Zawadi (Spoken Word / Jazz) Performance poet performing original work to live music. Accompanied by King Tut on flute and saxophone. http://www.tantrasmasterwordplay.com/

2pm–3pm: Adsila (World / Jazz) Adsila performs "jazz to world music, and all the notes in between," in the natural amphitheater of St Nicholas Park. http://www.musicbuilder.ning.com/profile/Adsila

3pm–4pm: Kimistry (World / Jazz) Kimistry, an original jazz/pop group, is led by Kim Kalesti, who has performed & recorded with Kenny Barron, Clark Terry, and George Clinton. http://www.kimkalesti.com/

5pm–6pm: Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau is an acoustic cabaret orchestra made up of strings, piano, bass, accordion, trumpet and a myriad of other instruments. http://www.sonicbids.com/huxleyvertical

6pm–7pm: Kabbala (Latin) Urban artist Kabbala, from Washington Heights, boasts a unique style and rhythmic mixes to make all races, genders and ages of people dance! http://www.myspace.com/odsquadproduction

7pm–8pm: Leni Stern (Jazz / World) Leni Stern, "a musician of uncommon caliber and vision" (Thom Jurek, AllMusic), is a singer, guitarist, and composer, inspired by jazz and the music of Mali.
http://www.lenistern.com

For questions please visit the Make Music New York website or email us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Harlem River Community Rowing Hosts the 2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival

Ever wondered what it's like to ROW? Now's your chance!

2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival Saturday, June 7th (11am-3pm) at Dyckman Landing (Dyckman Street and the HUDSON River)

Please join Harlem River Community Rowing as it celebrates its 2nd Annual Learn-to-Row Festival in honor of National Learn-to-Row day!

FREE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: on-water and on-land rowing instruction taught by HRCR's all-volunteer coaching staff, an introduction to the racing shell and arts and crafts for younger festival goers. Also:

*Handle an oar in a training barge

*Test your strength on ergometers (rowing machines)

*Take an up-close look at a rowing shell, learn about its parts and the physics of rowing

*Decorate a mini-oar with your original design

For more information, directions or to volunteer please go to our website:

http://www.harlemrivercommunityrowing.org/learn-to-rowday2008
or email us at info@harlemrivercr.org

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

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.