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Home , Central Park Conservancy, Harlem Meer, The Dairy

A newsletter for our members and supporters Summer 2009

Beneath the beauty and tranquility of , there lies so much more.

centralparknyc.org GREETINGS FROM Douglas Blonsky

Conservatory See the Park Water With Sara Model Boat Pond When it comes to seeing Central Dial & Discover Bethesda 646-862-0997 Park, there’s no better guide than Fountain HEARING IS BELIEVING Ext. 1 2 # Sara Cedar Miller, the Conser- vancy’s Central Park historian and photographer. The Stars

Now you can take an intimate Dial & Discover tour of the Park with Sara’s new 646-862-0997 Come Out book, Seeing Central Park: The Ext. 0 5 # Official Guide to the World’s Great- est Urban Park. It’s a beautiful guide For Central Park that invites us, with engaging text his summer, New from Sweden. York’s most famous They join more than 35 and lavish photography, to see T Turtle Pond the man-made Park as the work celebrities are waiting for iconic New Yorkers who of art it is. The book highlights all you in Central Park. have lent their voices to of the Park’s Look for Jerry Seinfeld the Park in an exciting new significant under the American Elms AudioGuide that puts our on the Mall, and Whoopi 843 historic acres in the design ele- Dial & Discover Goldberg with the zany palm of your hand. ments. There’s 646-862-0997 characters of Alice in Won- “We’re thrilled that so Ext. another unique 3 9 # derland. Find Kevin Bacon many celebrated friends of touch — the at the Reservoir, and the Park have come out to inside of the Martha Stewart among the support us,” says Douglas jacket cover more than 400 lush green Blonsky, President of the unfolds to pines of the Pinetum. provide a map From the Pond to the and Central Park Admin- of the Park. Meer, look for the istrator. “Now our visitors Sara Cedar Miller Seeing green signs near your can call those familiar Central Park Purchase favorite landscapes. Then, voices to discover the rich is a must for call the posted number history of Central Park and the book all of us who to find out why an angel the Conservancy.” At Visitor love and sup- keeps watch on the heart Center & Gift Shop port the Park. of the Park, or how a cozy or on our website, Conservancy cottage made its way here centralparknyc.org/ members get store a 20-percent member For a tour discount, with Call us at VOLUNTEER proceeds from 212-310-6600 all sales going for information directly to the Pitch In and Help Us Keep The Park Clean and pricing. Conservancy. Volunteerism has been get- every stray napkin and Park clean and green. The Con- ting a lot of attention, thanks tossed bottle adds up to five Just stop by one of servancy provides another way to to recent national and local million pounds of trash each our visitor centers (listed come out and see the Park as you calls to service. Here in Cen- year. Considering how much below) whenever you wish have never before with a private, tral Park, we’re always looking that represents, the Conser- from Tuesday through custom-designed tour led by Sara for helping hands. vancy’s staff does an excel- Sunday, 10:00 am to herself. This van tour is an ex- This summer, our newest lent job of keeping the Park 4:00 pm (all equipment ceptional way to learn the Park’s volunteer program makes it beautiful. But we need your must be returned by hidden stories. And I’m pleased to easier than ever to be part help too. 4:30 pm). Sign out a announce tour interpreters are now of your Park — just Pitch In, Whether you have an hour name-tag, and choose ei- available in a host of languages, for Pick Up! or an afternoon to give, you ther a grabber or sweeper. an additional fee. With more than 25 million can help make a difference Then pitch in by helping I hope you’ll take advantage of people visiting Central Park, by helping us keep the us pick up litter! the opportunities you have to see Central Park and enjoy all it has to offer this summer. Visitor Centers Where You Can Pitch In, Pick Up Charles A. For more information Dana Discovery (mid-Park at ) on these and other Center (inside Chess & Checkers House volunteer opportunities the Park at 110th in Central Park, visit us at Douglas Blonsky (mid-Park at 64th Street) Street between www.centralparknyc.org/ President, Central Park Conservancy Lenox and Fifth North Meadow Recreation Center volunteer or call and Central Park Administrator Avenues) (mid-Park at 97th Street) 212-360-2751.

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. here’s a side of Central Park you might not see as you stroll T its pathways and wander its landscapes. With its diversity of plant life, the Park is nothing short of an 843-acre urban laboratory — right in the heart of City.

rom the stately American and approximate age of all trees Elms on the Mall to the larger than six inches in diameter. F springtime blooms of the With that valuable information, Kwanzan and Yoshino Cherry trees the Conservancy’s Tree Care at the Reservoir, the Park boasts Crew is better equipped to meet an impressive 24,000 trees repre- the daily challenge caring for senting more than 150 species. the lungs of the City — tracking “The potential for learning and the trees’ condition, monitoring cooperation is massive,” says habitat, protecting them from Matthew Brown, the Central Park the stresses of an urban envi- Conservancy’s supervisor of the ronment, and trimming them soil, water, and ecology lab. “We to keep the Park’s pathways have such a rich collection of trees clear and safe. in the Park; some of them are As a result, a vast op- world-class specimens.” portunity for scientific More impressive — the research and explora- Conservancy now knows every tion lies, unexpectedly, detail of every one of those trees, right in the midst of thanks to a comprehensive census the frenzy of the City. completed in 2008. Using Global All through the year, Positioning System (GPS) technol- researchers from ogy, arborists recorded the tree’s institutions and uni- location and specific attributes of versities are culling each tree, including species, size, the Park’s rich

ON THE COVER: The Conservancy’s Matthew Brown and Smithsonian fellow Sean White collected more than 4,000 leaves for the project. Kristina Nelson, the Conservancy’s soil lab technician, works on a fish count. Bill Berliner, associate vice president of horti- culture, inspects a sample. Russell Fredericks, chief of operations, measures one of the Park’s oldest and largest English Elms. Above: Regina Alvarez, director of horticulture, photographs a species. Cover Story: The Urban Laboratory continued landscapes and wildlife for impor- site in 2006 to create a digital, the data to their growing library the user is standing, for example, tant scientific data. Bird and fish hand-held field guide. of leaf images — a collection in front of the mystery tree in the surveys, studies of groundwater “I had no idea there were any that is now the foundation for the Ramble that they’d like to know and pollination, identification of Redwoods in New York,” he said. prototype of a hand-held digital more about. It’s exciting technol- tree species — it all happens “They were spectacularly beauti- field guide that White developed ogy, with deep roots in Central right here in ’s ful.” The Dawn Redwood is the as part of his graduate work Park, that researchers are confi- “backyard.” smaller cousin of the celebrated while at . The dent will eventually be available “Maybe this is a secret, but gigantic Redwoods of the West aim is for users of the device — for mass use. if you go down a tiny pathway Coast. botanists and nature enthusiasts In the meantime, if you look a in one area of the Park, all of That diversity is part of why alike — to immediately access bit closer on your next visit, you’ll a sudden you see these three White and a research team, fund- a wealth of information about a definitely now see the Park’s lush Dawn Redwoods,” says Sean ed by the National Science Foun- tree, just by snapping a picture greens and eclectic wildlife for White, a post-doctoral fellow with dation, spent a week in the Park of its leaf. A computer applica- what it really is: an unexpected the Smithsonian Institution who, with Conservancy staff. Together tion will take that image, compare encounter with science, right in along with a team of researchers, they collected 4,320 leaves from it to the field guide database, and the heart of this busy City. used the Park as a leaf-collection 144 species of trees. They added retrieve likely matches — all while Central Park’s Trees Helping Us All Breathe Easier entral Park is often called that the amount of carbon car emits just over 33 pounds the difference in absorption at C the lungs of New York City dioxide absorbed during the of carbon dioxide each day, the two locations over a struc- — and a new study at Columbia day is very different from that according to the Environmental tured period of time to reach his University goes a long way in at night, and that weather has a Protection Agency. findings. explaining just why. significant impact on these fluc- McGillis reached his figure by “Because of the diversity As much as 14,000 pounds of tuations. His findings ultimately studying data collected by two of landscapes and topography carbon dioxide is absorbed by show that the science of climate carbon dioxide sensors located throughout the Park, we need the Park every 24 hours during is more complex than the simple in and near Central Park — one to get more sensors installed so the spring, summer, and fall equation of carbon dioxide in, at the National Weather Service that we can develop a higher seasons, according to research oxygen out. station at Belvedere Castle, and resolution picture,” says McGil- by Wade McGillis, a professor So what exactly does 14,000 the other at a facility on 116th lis. “It’s like adding more pixels of geochemistry at Columbia. pounds of carbon dioxide Street in Harlem. He calculated to your pictures.” The McGillis study clearly shows mean? Consider the average

Hollywood Cool Heats Up at Rumsey Playfield Get your cool on this summer during Tuesday, August 18 through Saturday, the 7th Annual Central Park Film Festi- August 22. Gates open to the public val, sponsored by Bloomberg. at 6:00 pm. Films start at 8:00 pm (rain The theme of this year’s line-up of or shine) and are closed-captioned. free screenings is “Be Cool” — cel- Enter the Park at and 69th ebrating hot Hollywood and its coolest Street. For more information, visit stars. The five-day festival, held out- www.centralparknyc.org/filmfestival doors at Rumsey Playfield, runs from Sponsored by

Tuesday Sex & The City (2008) Vote for your choice from the following at Wednesday Shaft (1971) www.7online.com (July 21 through August 21) Thursday Ocean’s 11 (2001) Men in Black (1997) Friday Twilight (2008) Goldfinger (1965) Saturday Viewers’ Choice! Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Invest in the Conservancy – gatherings and Your Future Conservancy gatherings with our friends and supporters. ith large market de- W clines and unheard of volatility, many investors have turned to the relative safety of short-term government notes, FDIC insured savings Kenny Callaghan, accounts, and certificates of Sandra Lee, Danny deposit (CDs). Meyer, and Con- However, rates on 90-day servancy President Treasury bills have declined and Central Park to nearly 0% and the average Administrator return on a one-year CD was Douglas Blonsky only 2% in recent at Taste of months. Summer, Current An alternative June 3. annuity for those seek- payout ing higher rates A Conversation rates: of return with on the Park (June 20) greater stability Vice President AGE RATE is a charitable of Capital gift annuity with Projects 60 5.0 the Central Park Chris Nolan 70 5.7 Conservancy. (in tie) leads A gift annuity is a Conservators 80 7.1 simple contract on a tour of the between a donor Ramble and and the Conser- Lake shoreline, vancy whereby, in exchange May 11. for the donor’s contribution, the Conservancy promises to make fixed, guaranteed payments for the life of the donor. An annuity allows you to make a generous charitable gift for the benefit of Central Park, while simultaneously earning an attractive income- tax deduction, a higher return compared to Treasury bills, Cheryl Neldon, savings accounts, or CDs, Abigail Healy, and the security afforded by Kate Moutenot, guaranteed income in Evan Uhlick, Terri uncertain times. Coppersmith, and Mary Taylor at the Annual For more information call I Heart Central the Conservancy’s Office of Park hosted by Planned Giving at The Greensward 212-310-6645, Circle, March 19. or email at plannedgiving@ centralparknyc.org Martha Stewart and Conservancy Join Us President Enjoy special events like these and and Central member discounts while helping Park Adminis- the Conservancy restore, preserve, trator Douglas and maintain Central Park. Blonsky at Learn about the benefits of the Frederick membership and how you Law Olmsted can help Central Park at luncheon, www.centralparknyc.org May 6. highlights Free Conservancy events for the summer. For a complete listing of events, visit www.centralparknyc.org

Harlem Meer Performance Festival Park for both locations at Sandbox Programs 106th Street and Central Monday – Friday, July 6 – August 14 presented by Park West). 11:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Ages 3 – 8 Sundays through Sept. 6 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Jazzmobile, Inc. and the It’s party time! This summer, celebrate the 20th birthday Charles A. Dana Discovery Center Central Park Conservancy of Sandbox Programs in 20 playgrounds through- (Inside the Park at between Fifth come together again for the out Central Park. Central Park Brass, storyteller Dan and Lenox Avenues) annual Great Jazz on the Kitrosser, Moey’s Music Party, and the Museum for Join us for this popular concert series, which Great Hill event, bringing you African Art will lead Sandbox Music, Sandbox Sto- features the best in local emerging and estab- a family craft workshop with ries, Sandbox Sing-Along, and NEW Sandbox Dance lished Latin, Jazz, World, and Gospel artists. Stephanie Crease, author programs in all 20 locations. For a complete schedule, For a complete schedule, call 212-860-1370 or of Duke Ellington: His Life in please visit www.centralparknyc.org/sandbox visit www.centralparknyc.org/hmpf Jazz, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and an against theirs. exciting line up of perfor- A Clearing In Chess Lecture/ mances to follow on the The Forest Simul Players of any age with Great Hill. For more informa- an official rating of 1000 Select Saturdays and tion call 212-860-1370. Saturdays, or better can participate. Sundays, through Sept. 27 July 18 & August 8 Space is limited. 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Register at www.central Run For Central Park The Peter Jay Sharp Chess & Checkers parknyc.org/chess Saturday, July 18 Children’s Glade and House (mid-Park 9:00 am Run/Walk Great Hill CONCERT & CRAFTS at 64th Street) 10:30 am Kids Races (Inside the Park at West Join us for our free Great Jazz Join this four-mile run/walk 106th Street) exciting summer series of On The Great Hill that benefits the Central Multicultural fun in Cen- chess lectures and “Simul” Saturday, July 11 Park Conservancy. Runners tral Park’s most intimate (simultaneous) games Family Craft Workshop: of all ages and fitness levels natural playground. Pack a conducted by local Grand- 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm are welcome. Presented in picnic lunch, and enjoy per- master Larry Christiansen The Peter Jay Sharp partnership with New York formances and workshops in July, and FIDE Master Children’s Glade Road Runners. For informa- featuring live music, dance, Asa Hoffman in August. puppets, and storytelling. Jazz Concert: tion, fees, and to register, visit Learn their secrets to For a complete schedule, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm www.centralparknyc.org/ improve your game and runCP. Online registra- please visit www.central The Great Hill (enter the then test your own skills tion closes at 11:59 pm on parknyc.org/clearing or Tuesday, July 14. call 212-860-1370.

212-310-6600 Central Park Conservancy 14 East 60th Street New York, NY 10022

Our mission The mission of the Central Park Conservancy is to restore, manage, and enhance Central Park in partnership with the public.

The Conservancy aspires to build a great organization that sets the standard for and spreads the principles of world-class park management — emphasizing environmental excellence — to improve the quality of open space for the enjoyment of all New Yorkers.

The Conservancy is committed to sustaining this operating model to provide a legacy for future generations of Central Park users.

Be Part of Your Park. Become a member of the Central Park Conservancy www.centralparknyc.org/membership