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VAN CORTLANDT PARK

Added Room to Fetch and Frolic

eighborhood pups and Canine Court’s makeover has begun. Road. The project is being funded pooches are howling with Last fall, a generous donation enabled by the Croton Water Filtration Plant Njoy over the improvements Parks to purchase and install attractive mitigation funds. This dog run will taking shape at Canine Court. This black chain-link fencing, expand- be shaped like a dog bone, and thus past fall, a run for small dogs was ing the run northward to alleviate named “Dog Bone Run.” added, as were new agility equipment, the flooding situation at the south In 2000, Mr. Dibra and his fellow benches, and landscaping amenities. end. The new fenced-in area creates neighborhood dog owners founded Canine Court Dog Run and a separate space for smaller dogs that the Friends of Canine Court. In Playground is a 15,000 square-foot, were sometimes overwhelmed by 2003, they secured donations to fenced in area on Van Cortlandt the exuberance of their much-larger purchase a nifty water fountain that Park’s Parade Ground. The facility brethren. In addition, the small fence serves both pets and people. Current- comprises two distinct areas. In one that separated the dog run from the ly, they are encouraging Van Cortlandt area, dogs can utilize colorful play playground was removed to provide Park dog owners to pool resources equipment, including a tire jump, a more “leg room” for the bigger dogs. and adopt a bench at Canine Court. frame jump, and three crawl tunnels Mr. Dibra is working closely with (See article, page 6.) that strengthen coordination. In the Parks to determine how work will “Not only do the Friends focus other area is an open field for dogs to continue to progress. The old fence attention on the upkeep of Canine run and frolic. Built in 1998, this dog still requires repairs and replacements, Court, but we persistently engage playground was the first of its kind in and bulletin boards and shade trees are fellow owners to become stewards of a City park. also needed. the park and responsible pet own- Canine Court’s popularity with In addition to the renovation of ers,” says Mr. Dibra. Working closely local pooches has led to a lot of wear- Canine Court, Parks is constructing with Parks staff, the Friends of Canine and-tear on the area over the years. a new, smaller dog run off Gun Hill Court continually informs people to Rain-soaked turf keep dogs on-leash, and seasonal flood- keep up to date ing created mud with vaccinations, patches and bald promote good dog spots in the dog run. behavior, and pick The grass suffered up after their pets. from overuse, and Besides being portions of the fence encouraged to be were in need of responsible, pet own- repair. ers are encouraged Thanks to the to be dependable dedication and park patrons. Many fundraising efforts of dog walkers are the Bashkim Dibra, dog Parks Department’s trainer and owner eyes and ears. They of Fieldston Pets on Bailey Avenue, continued on p. 7 Plans for new bone-shaped dog run off . Photo: M. Perron Spring -Summer Calendar 2008

Memorial Day Concert Sunday, May 25, 2 pm May Barefoot Dancing Learn to Ride Delight in patriotic music and show tunes with Select Wednesdays Saturday, May 17, 10 am - 1 pm Arts Ensemble. 6:30-8pm Bring a bike, a helmet and a child Meet behind the Nature Center. July 23, July 30, August 6 who wants to learn! Live music with dance Meet at Southwest Playground. instruction from Mexico, June Ivory Coast & the Middle East. CityParks Birding Club Meet at Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn. Seniors Fitness Saturday, June 7, 9 am Through June 20 Bring your own binoculars and field Call 718-430-1890. For ages 60+ guide or the Rangers will loan theirs. Pre-registration required Meet at the Nature Center. Meet at Indian Field Courts & Geology Walk: East 233rd Street Stonehenge in the Bronx Volunteer Day: Tennis Sunday, June 8, 10 am Dig, Pull, Plant Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 am Walk through the valley of Tibbets Saturday, June 21, 10 am - 1 pm Yoga Brook to the watershed’s , and the Mondays & Wednesdays, 9 am abandoned railroad right-of-way with Dig that soil, pull those , haul geologist Sidney Horenstein. Along Walking a wheelbarrow to plant new trees in the route, view enigmatic stone Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 am the Southeast Forest with Friends of monuments, and 1.1 billion year-old . All equipment provided. Fordham Gneiss – the oldest rock in Meet at southwest corner of For more information, at historic Vault Hill. Shandler Recreation Area parking lot. call 718-760-6999. Meet at West 242nd Street & Broadway. Enter park at Jerome Avenue, south of East 233rd Street. Wildflower Walk Saturday, June 14, 11 am Feast your eyes on the beauties that bloom naturally in our woods. Volunteer: It’s My Park! Day Meet at the Nature Center. Saturday, May 17, 10 am - 1 pm Canoes on the Lake Garden, clean up, or work on Sunday, June 15, 11 am the trails with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park. Take Dad for a boat ride this Father’s Day. Meet at the Riding Stables. Enter park at Broadway Meet at the Lake. & Mosholu Avenue. Enter park at Bailey Avenue & Van Cortlandt Park South. Spring -Summer Calendar 2008 All events are FREE unless otherwise noted. July August Pool Hours Independence Day Birding Club June 27 – September 1 Concert Saturday, August 2, 9 am 11 am - 3 pm, 4 - 7 pm Friday, July 4, 2 pm See June 7. Closed 3 - 4 pm Enjoy America’s own jazz and Dixieland music with Vintage Train Tour Bring a bathing suit, towel the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Presented by NYC Transit Museum and a lock. Meet at Howell Grove. Saturday, August 2, 10 am - 5 pm Enter the Park at Enter park at Broadway & Commemorate the 100th Anniversary College Parkway & Broadway. Mosholu Avenue and walk of service to 242nd Street by riding in uphill on the paved path. a colorful, vintage IRT SMEE car. Birding Club Saturday, July 5, 9 am See June 7.

Ride from Grand Central Station in Manhattan to Atlantic Avenue in and then north to Van Cortland Park in the Bronx. Enjoy the park or stay on the train for an Bronx express run to 103rd Street. Arts Ensemble Return trip leaves at 3 pm. Friday, July 11, 8 pm Sunday Concerts 2-3pm Call 718-694-1794 for reservations. July 13, 20, 27 Spread your blanket and $30 General Admission; and August 3, 10 listen to classical music $25 Transit Museum Members; followed by fireworks on Howell Grove $10 Children the Parade Ground. Enter park at Broadway & Enter park at Broadway Volunteer Day: Mosholu Avenue. & West 246th Street. On the Running Path Saturday August 9th, 10am - 1pm Photos: p. 2 – C. White (water at top); Sue Tranter (American Robin) Help fill ruts, clear swales and repair p. 3 – M. Perron (pool); Daniel T. Yara (fireworks); the cross country running trail in Transit Museum Collection (vintage train) preparation for fall competitions. Meet at the Riding Stables. Enter park at Broadway & Moshulu Avenue.

Directions Phone Numbers Van Cortlandt House Museum By Car: The Major Deegan Expressway has two Administrator’s Office 718.543.3344 park exits: Van Cortlandt Park South, which serves 718.430.1890 the south and west portions of the park and East Van Cortlandt 233rd Street, which serves the north and east. Friends of Van Cortlandt City of New York Nature Center The ’s Broadway exits Park 718.548.0912 Parks & Recreation also serve the park. links Van 718.601.1460 www.nyc.gov/parks/vancortlandt Cortlandt Park with the and Pelham Van Cortlandt Pool Parkways. Broadway runs along the park’s west- Mosholu Center and 718.548.2415 ern perimeter; Jerome Avenue and Van Cortlandt Driving Range Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor Park East border the park on the east side. 718.655.9164 Events and General By Bus: The Bx9 travels along Broadway on the Information Adrian Benepe, Commissioner Park Enforcement Patrol western edge of Van Cortlandt Park. The BxM3, 311 Hector M. Aponte, Bronx Borough Commissioner an express line serving Manhattan, offers access 718.430.1815 to the park’s western border. The park’s east side Riverdale Equestrian Bronx Recreation Margot Perron, Van Cortlandt Park Administrator is served by the Bx16, Bx 31 and Bx34. Westches- Center ter bus lines – numbers 1,2,3,4,20 and 21 also General Information 718.548.4848 serve the park. 718.430.1825 Stephanie Ehrlich, Editor Rangers Marianne Anderson, Writer By Subway: The northern terminus of the IRT Permits—Special Events #1 train at W. 242nd Street is near the Parade 718.548.0912 Ground. 718.430.1848 Van Cortlandt Golf Course This publication is funded by The IRT #4 train’s last stop at Woodlawn serves Permits—Sports 718.543.4595 a federal Community Development Block Grant. the park’s southeastern area. 718.430.1840 6 Adopt-a-Bench: Support Your Park

In recent months, something special has mately 30 years. Current park sites where benches can be adopted include Van Cortlandt Park East, Sachkerah Woods, been sprouting up around Van Cortlandt Kingsbridge Green, Indian Field Tennis Courts, and Canine Park and it’s not just spring flowers! Beau- Court. tiful World’s Fair park benches have been The Adopt-a-Park Program has proven very success- ful for the Parks Department. For more than 20 years, installed along Van Cortlandt Park East, has fostered a bench endowment program, and soon others will dot the rest of the park’s now available for “adoption” at $7,500 per bench. But it picturesque landscape. These inviting benches doesn’t stop with benches! Adopt-a-Park provides various funding opportunities citywide—an innovative way for provide respite for park goers and create a businesses, community groups, and individuals to provide comfortable spot for folks to gather and enjoy financial support for the care and maintenance of their local greenspaces. one of New York City’s largest parks! Multiple sponsorship opportunities exist in Van Cort- landt Park, and many community groups have generously To keep the benches in pristine condition, the Van offered financial support. Last summer, Mosholu Preser- Cortlandt Park Administrator’s Office is seeking donations vation Corporation and Friends of Van Cortlandt Park through the Adopt-a-Park Program. For $2,500, donors funded the salary of a Parks employee who monitored can “adopt” a bench and help fund their cost, installation, Sachkerah Woods Playground and engaged children in fun, and yearly maintenance. Donor educational activities. funds help cover the cost of This spring, Fieldston School a World’s Fair style bench, sponsored Birdland: Cool labor, and installation—which Birds...Hot Jazz event, held includes setting the concrete at Southwest Playground. foundation and posts, and The Administrator’s in some cases, providing for Office is currently developing wheelchair access. In addition, levels of support and spon- the funds would enable the sorship for the care of Van annual upkeep for the bench Cortlandt Park’s greenery and and cover periodic repairs such infrastructure. as stemming erosion around “So many people care for the foundation, replacing slats, the park and want to make a or cleaning graffiti. donation,” said Perron. “We “Our aim is to begin a fund want to have a variety of that will help us keep the new ways for folks to get involved, benches in Van Cortlandt Park whether by volunteering at a both functional and present- special event, helping to plant able,” said Margot Perron, the a tree, or adopting a bench. park’s Administrator. “Adopt- It’s about providing for Van ing a bench is a wonderful way Cortlandt Park’s future.” to remember a loved one or If you are interested important community member, in learning more about or to commemorate a signifi- Adopt-a-Park, please visit cant event.” our website, www.nyc.gov/ Donors who choose a bench parks. You can fill out a request through the Adopt-a-Park program can elect to have a per- form or learn about recent “Featured Adoptions” that sonal inscription of their choice (and approved by the Parks are happening throughout the City. To speak with a Van Department) installed on their bench. Parks will maintain Cortlandt Park Adopt-a-Park representative, please call the bench for the duration of its lifespan, which is approxi- 718-430-1890. Photo: M. Perron 7 Look Who’s Working!

Above: The Van Cortlandt Track Club teams up with Park Manager Ray Acosta (back row, 3rd from left) and the park’s field staff to fix the cross country trail. Volunteer with them in August or find other dates to pitch in. (See calendar)

Left: Have you noticed the “tree- mendous” difference a $200,000 federal Community Develop- ment Block Grant makes in our woods? Don’t get too close to these experts felling dead trees – just wave to tell them what a great job they’re doing! Added Room to Fetch and Frolic continued from p.1 are some of the park’s most frequent users, and are tuned rules, and respect the park and others. If you would like into the life of the park in which they walk their dog. to join the Friends of Canine Court or hear about what By being open and aware to park happenings, dog walk- they do, please call them at 718-796-4541. ers help keep Van Cortlandt Park safe, clean, and green. To learn more about specific rules and regulations There are numerous opportunities to enjoy the out- regarding dogs in city parks, visit our website at doors with your dog. Just remember to be safe, obey the www.nyc.gov/parks/dogs. Photos: M. Perron Van Cortlandt KIDS Spring - Summer 2008 All programs are FREE unless otherwise noted.

Pony Rides Ranger CityParks Kids Sundays 1-4pm, through October Programs Performances Enter park at Broadway & May - August Mosholu Avenue. Join the Rangers on easy, interactive Call 718-548-4848 for FEES Woodlawn Playground hikes in the woods and discover the and REGISTRATION. wonderful wildflowers and birds that Thursdays 10:30 am thrive there. Van Cortlandt Park East & Kepler Avenue Rain Site: Van Cortlandt House Museum Birding Club First Saturday of the month 9 am July 17 Cinderella Samba • Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre Wildflower Walks Puppet-making workshop after the show! Select Saturdays 11 am July 24 Wanna Dance? • Jody Kruskal & Friends Canoe on the Lake Select Sundays 11 am July 31 The Great and Amazing Jeske • Joel Jeske, Clown Extraordinaire Rangers Around Meet at Southwest Playground July 1 – August 15 Southwest Playground Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 11 am & 2 pm Tuesdays 10:30 am Broadway & Van Cortlandt Park South Call for specific dates Rain Site: Van Cortlandt House Museum Learn to Swim and more information: Van Cortlandt Pool 718-548-0912 August 5 The Circus Circus Show • Sloppy and Monday Weekdays July - August Adults and August 12 The Three Pigs/Los Tres Cerditos • Teatro SEA Enter park at children welcome. Parkway & Broadway. Call Citywide Aquatics at 718-760-6970 Classic Playground for Learn to Swim and Swim Team Thursday 10:30 am registration dates, class schedules Van Cortlandt Park South & Orloff Avenue and times. Rain Site: Vladeck Hall, 74 Van Cortlandt Park South at Hillman Avenue July 10 City That Drinks the Mountain Sky • Adventures in Time Arm of the Sea Theatre History Camp Van Cortlandt House Museum Sachkerah Woods Playground Tuesdays 10:30 am Week 1: August 13 through 17 Gun Hill Road & Jerome Avenue Week 2: August 20 through 24 Rain Site: Van Cortlandt House Museum 9 am - 3 pm July 15 Carnival of the World/Carnaval del Mundo • Call 718-543-3344 for FEES and information. Dan Butterworth Marionettes For children who have completed July 22 Concert Party • Joe Salins Duo 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. July 29 Imagination in Motion • Mime X Two

Learn to Play Tennis EcoCrafts For Kids Ages 5-16 • All equipment provided Mondays 1-4 pm Monday, June 30 - Friday, August 15 July Classic Playground August Sachkerah Woods Playground Monday - Thursday Monday and Wednesday Make birdfeeders, flowerpots, 9 am - noon 1 - 4 pm picture frames, collages, animal crafts Paul Hecht Tennis Courts Indian Field Tennis Courts and more. th rd West 246 Street, east of the East 233 Street & Jerome Avenue Children under 12 must have an accompanying adult. Nature Center Call 718-601-1553 for more information. No pre-registration required. Call 718-760-6999 to schedule according to level of skill. Photos from top: M. Perron, M. Perron, C. Bonilla