Green Teen Design team visits Central Park

The Green Teens program at Al Oerter is focused on the role of sustainable design in parks and recreational areas by integrating the fields of architecture and landscape architecture. One of the first sites the teens visited was Central Park, a great example of the use of green space in a highly urban place.  Below, Chelsea Fingal describes her experience:

"We were able to visit Central Park's Conservatory Garden, which is separated into three smaller gardens featuring Italian, French, and English style designs. We learned how the arrangements and design of various plants come together in dramatic yet harmonious ways. We also went to the North Woods - one of the most secluded and calming areas in the park. The North Woods allow both people and wildlife to access nature in the midst of a city otherwise filled with concrete and honking cars. Central Park gave us great examples of how plants can create a completely different atmosphere."

Another chance to replant in the Jamaica Bay Marsh Island..

Marsh Island Restoration - Jamaica Bay

 
Join us on July 9^th and July 10^th, 2013, at 12PM for the Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay!  Sorrentino Green Teens attended this event back in May. They helped plant the Spartina Grass in the habitat that was negatively affected by Hurricane Sandy. This fast-growing grass will help prevent further erosion on marsh islands like Rulers Bar and Black Wall Marsh Island, and over time will bring back some much needed structure and buffering to the bay.  Email nancy.cordova@parks.nyc.gov  to register.

 Meet us at the Littoral Society Office: 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel. You can take the subway or the bus:

Bus: Q-52 – LTD or Q53 – LTD to Cross Bay Blvd and Noel Rd.  From Noel Rd, head south on Cross Bay Blvd to W. 9^th Rd, then make a right and walk west until you reach Shad Creek Rd.  The office is on the corner of W. 9^th & Shad Creek.

Train: A to Broad Channel. When you get off the train, walk down West Rd to Noel Rd. Then make a right, and walk west until you reach Cross Bay Blvd. Turn left on Cross Bay Blvd and walk south to W. 9^th Rd, cross the street and follow W. 9^th to Shad Creek Rd.

Plan to work for 2-3 hrs.  We recommend volunteers wear tall boots, as the environment is very wet with marsh muck, water, and soft sand.  If it is warm out and people do not mind wet, muddy feet, water shoes are fine – no tennis shoes!  We can also bring extra footwear to change into once we are on the island. Wear something that will protect your feet.

Because of the wet environment, all electronics (cell phones, etc.) should be placed in zip lock bags. Volunteers can bring backpacks, and/or bags with supplies. Definitely bring lunch and a refillable water bottle. You will also want sun screen, a hat, and bug spray.  

There will not be bathroom facilities on the island, but it is just a few minutes trip on the boat back to the dock where there are facilities.

Thank you to all the Green Teens that came out this past Saturday and took part in the city recycling competition at ADVENTURES NYC in Central park! Green Teens from all five boroughs came together and helped NYC be green and clean by helping vendors recycle their trash and also alerting the general public to do the same. This year the Bronx took the win with recycling 57 bags of recyclables and as a whole, all five boroughs recycled a GRAND TOTAL of 113 bags!! GREAT JOB GUYS! YOU ALL ROCK AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOUR HARD WORK! GOOO GREEN TEENS!

Al Oerter Soap Box Derby!

 

 

Above are a few of our Green Teens along with David Deas (Playground Associate at Al Oerter) with their finished product, soap box! "This year's soap box cart project was a revamp of last year's cart.  Using the RRR approach (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) we were able to keep in the effort of going green with our Green Teens.  The teens took the specifications of this year's rules and applied them to the old cart.  Learning to use tools and recycling old materials gave them a new perspective on the project.  They worked hard at figuring out how to make a brake system that would be safe for participants to use.  Once they applied all their ideas to the cart, a new cart was born. With the help of staff, they improved on the cart and then was able to showcase their work at the annual Street
Games in Manhattan.  The uniqueness of our cart is that it was made from completely reusing materials such as a broken park bench, a broken lawn mower for the wheels, a milk crate, screws and bolts from our Maintenance and Operations division.  A true test of what a soap box was considered from the old days of racing soap boxes in the streets." - David Deas

 

GREAT JOB GREEN TEENS! 

Attention All Green Teens! Looking for a FREE architect design workshop this summer??

 

Look no further! We are currently seeking some awesome Green Teens to join us this summer for a FREE 6-week design workshop about how to design your own sustainable playground that includes:

 

• Hands-on Field Studies with a NYC Parks Designer/Architect
• Create a 3D Playground Model Design 
• Work in a Team Setting
• Present YOUR playground design to NYC Parks Officials

 

ELIGIBILITY:

• Must be a junior high school or high school student
• No prior experience with engineering or design project is necessary
• Experience with successfully completing projects or workshops is a MUST

 

Please email all completed applications to Green.teens@parks.nyc.gov and type your home borough in the subject line of your email. Hurry though, there are just a few spots left!! Deadline: June 22^nd

 

Don’t forget you can also help out at the following recreation centers during these times this summer:

 

Roy Wilkins: Saturdays 9am – 5pm

Lost Battalion Hall: Mon- Fri 10am – 7pm & Saturdays 10am – 2pm

Sorrentino: Tuesdays 3:30pm – 5pm

Al Oerter: Mon - Fri 2:30pm - 8pm & Saturdays 9am - 4pm

 

 

Let’s Restore the Jamaica Bay Marshlands!!!!

Calling All Green Teens, Calling all Green Teens!!

 

Thank you to the Green Teens that came out and took part in the restoration of Marsh Island this past May 19th. The marsh islands are disappearing at a rate of 40-50 acres per year. These islands are the lifeblood of the bay, providing habitat to hundreds of species and helping to protect from storm surge and flooding. The marshes are a first line of defense from increasingly violent storm events and help provide protection for the 20 million people that live in the communities around Jamaica Bay. In a post-Super Storm Sandy world, restoring marsh islands is more important and vital than ever. The project is the first ever community-led marsh restoration in a National Park and will serve as a model for future wetland restorations throughout the country.

Weekly Skill-Development Opportunities and Events (1/3/13-1/9/13)

Skill-Development Opportunities

1.       Birding: Eagles (Manhattan)
Location: Inwood Hill Park
Dates: Jan. 5^th  
Time: 8:00 am

2.       Seal Exploration (Bronx)
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center in Pelham Bay Park, Section 2 of Orchard Beach
Dates: Jan. 5^th  
Time: 10:00 am

3.       Nature Exploration Hike: Croton Aqueduct Trail (Moderate) (Bronx)
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park (Enter the park at West 246th Street and Broadway)
Dates: Jan. 6^th  
Time: 11:00 am

 

Events

1.       Swamp: Art Exhibition (Bronx)
Location: Poe Park Visitor Center in Poe Park, 2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
Dates: Jan. 5^th and 6^th  
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

2.       Mulchfest 2013 Volunteer Orientation (Manhattan)
Location: The Arsenal in Central Park, 830 5th Avenue (at 64th Street), 3rd Floor Conference Room
Dates: Jan. 8^th
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

*Please email RSVP@milliontreesnyc.org to register for the orientation*

Weekly Volunteer & Skill-Development Opportunities and Events (12/21/12-1/2/13)

Enjoy Winter Recess!

Volunteer Opportunities

1.       Cleaning Westerleigh Park (Staten Island)
Location: Westerleigh Park
Dates: Dec. 22^nd
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

2.       Roberto Clemente Park Volunteer Clean-up Day (Bronx)
Location: Roberto Clemente Plaza, East 138 Street at Melrose and Willis
Dates: Jan. 2^nd
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Skill-Development Opportunities

1.       Orienteering (Manhattan)
Location: Belvedere Castle in Central Park, Mid-park about 79th Street
Dates: Dec. 23^rd
Time: 11:00 am

2.       Birding: Shorebirds (Brooklyn)
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, East 33rd Street and Avenue U
Dates: Dec. 23^rd
Time: 11:00 am

3.       Birding (Queens)
Location: Parking Lot on Hoyt Avenue and 19 Street in Astoria Park
Dates: Dec. 29^th
Time: 11:00 am

4.       Emergency Preparedness: Knot Tying and Map Reading (Manhattan)
Location: Dana Discovery Center in Central Park, 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
Dates: Dec. 29^th
Time: 11:00 am

5.       Wilderness Survival (Bronx)
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park, Enter the park at West 246 St. and Broadway
Dates: Dec. 29^th
Time: 1:00 pm

6.       Nature Exploration Hike in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Location: Prospect Park Picnic House in Prospect Park, West Drive and Third Street
Dates: Dec. 29^th
Time: 1:00 pm

7.       Birding: Winter Waterfowl (Brooklyn)
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, East 33rd Street and Avenue U
Dates: Dec. 30^th
Time: 11:00 am

8.       Wilderness Survival (Queens)
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center in Fort Totten Park
Dates: Dec. 30^th
Time: 1:00 pm

9.       Nature Exploration Hike: Hunter Island (Bronx)
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center in Pelham Bay Park, Section 2 of Orchard Beach
Dates: Dec. 30^th
Time: 1:00 pm

10.   Nature Art (Manhattan)
Location: Belvedere Castle in Central Park, Mid-park about 79th Street
Dates: Dec. 30^th
Time: 2:00 pm

 

Events

1.       Winter Solstice Festival 2012 (Staten Island)
Location: Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, between Tysen Street and Snug Harbor Road
Dates: Dec. 21^st
Time: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

2.       Winter Solstice Stargazing in Central Park (Manhattan)
Location: Belvedere Castle in Central Park, Mid-park about 79th Street
Dates: Dec. 21^st
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

3.       Westerleigh Park Tree Lighting Ceremony (Staten Island)
Location: Westerleigh Park, Between Willard Avenue, Springfield Avenue, Neal Dow Avenue and Maine Avenue
Dates: Dec. 22^nd
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

4.       New Year's Eve Fireworks (Brooklyn)
Location: Grand Army Plaza
Dates: Dec. 31^st
Time: 11:00 pm – 12:30 am

Have a Wonderful & Green Holiday!!!



 



Weekly Volunteer Opportunities (12/14/12-12/20/12)

Natural Areas Volunteers

1.       Conference House Woodlands Storm Cleanup (Staten Island)
Location: Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street in Conference House Park
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

2.       Highland Park Invasive Removals (Queens)
Location: Elton Street and Jamaica Avenue in Highland Park
Dates: Dec. 18^th
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

Other Opportunities

1.       Cleaning Westerleigh Park (Staten Island)
Location: Westerleigh Park
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

2.       Volunteer Cleanup at Rockaway Beach (Beach 32) (Queens)
Location: Beach 32 & the Boardwalk in Rockaway Beach
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

3.       Volunteer Cleanup at Kaiser Park (Coney Island)
Location: Kaiser Park Parkhouse
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

4.       Volunteer Cleanup at Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)
Location: Inwood Hill Park
Dates: Dec. 15^th and 16^th
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

5.       MillionTreesNYC Tree Care Workshop and Composting with Compost for Brooklyn (Brooklyn)
Location: East 8th Street and Newkirk Ave.
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

6.       MillionTreesNYC Tree Care Workshop at Hunt's Point Library (Bronx)
Location: 877 Southern Blvd.
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

7.       Composting in Sherman Creek Park (Manhattan)
Location: Swindler Cove Park, Dyckman Street and 10th Avenue
Dates: Dec. 15^th
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

8.       Mulchfest 2013 Volunteer Orientation (Manhattan)
Location: The Arsenal in Central Park, 830 Fifth Avenue
Dates: Dec. 18^th
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

9.       Roberto Clemente Park Volunteer Clean-up Day (Bronx)
Location: Roberto Clemente Plaza, East 138 Street at Melrose and Willis
Dates: Dec. 19^th
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities and Events (12/7/12-12/13/12)

Natural Areas Volunteers

1.       Van Cortlandt Park Planting (Bronx)
Location: Van Cortlandt Park
Dates: Dec. 7^th and 8^th
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

2.       Wolfe's Pond Park Woodland Storm Cleanup (Staten Island)
Location: Wolfe's Pond Park
Dates: Dec. 12^th and 13^th
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

Other Opportunities

1.       Cleaning Westerleigh Park (Staten Island)
Location: Westerleigh Park
Dates: Dec. 8^th
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

2.       Volunteer Cleanup at Rockaway Beach (Beach 29) (Queens)
Location: B.28 Street and Boardwalk in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
Dates: Dec. 8^th
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

3.       Volunteer Cleanup at Astoria Park (Queens)
Location: Astoria Park Lawn in Astoria Park
Dates: Dec. 8^th
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

4.       Volunteer Cleanup at Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)
Location: Inwood Hill Park
Dates: Dec. 8^th
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Event(s)

1.       Holiday Tree Lighting at Brookville Park (Queens)
Location: Brookville Blvd. and Mayda Road, Brookville, Queens
Dates: Dec. 8^th
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities (11/30-12/6/12)

Natural Areas Volunteers

1.      Bronx River Island Invasive Removals (Bronx)
       Location: Bronx Park
        Dates: November 30^th
        Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
2.       Invasive Plant Removals (Manhattan)
        Location: Highbridge Park
        Dates: December 4^th
        Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

 

Other Opportunities

1.      MillionTreesNYC Tree Care Workshop (Brooklyn)
        Location: Green Fitness Studio, 232 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY
        Dates: December 2^nd
       Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
*Register at http://www.nycgovparks.org/milliontrees/tree_stewardship_workshops

 

Green Teens at Recycling Competition on Oct. 20^th 

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities (11/22/12-11/29/12)

Natural Areas Volunteers

1. Reforestation Stewardship (Staten Island)
    Location: Clove Lakes Park
    Dates: Nov. 24^th
    Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

2. Tree Planting & Weeding (Bronx)
    Location: Ferry Point Park
    Dates: Nov. 27^th
    Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

 

Other Opportunities:

1. Cleaning Westerleigh Park (Staten Island)
    Location: Westerleigh Park
    Dates: Nov. 24^th
    Times: 9:00am-12:00pm
    Organizer(s): Friends of Westerleigh Park, 718-442-0336

 

 

Green Teens Moving Forward

Since Hurricane Sandy we have been striving to keep moving forward. A number of our AWESOME Green Teens have been reaching out to help with cleanup efforts, and others are already taking action. For those who are in the position and would like to help out, can swing by their local recreation center during their drop-in hours. Drop-In Hours are as follows:

1. Roy Wilkins
177th St. & Baisley Blvd. Jamaica 11434
(718) 276-8686
Saturday: 9am-5pm

2. Lost Battalion Hall
93-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park 11374
(718) 263-1163
Monday – Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

3. Sorrentino
18-48 Cornaga Avenue, Far Rockaway 11691
(718) 471-4818
Tuesday: 3:30pm-5pm

4. Al Oerter
131-40 Fowler Ave., Flushing 11355
(718) 353-7853
Monday – Friday: 2:30pm-8pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm

 

Now on to the good stuff…

On October 27^th Central Park hosted a Pumpkin Festival, and our Green Teens were in full effect! Green Teens from Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx participated in a Recycling Competition to see which borough could recycle the most and properly. And the winner was….

Manhattan (Congrats!) came in 1^st with 39 bags of recyclables. Queens came in 2^nd with an awesome total of 32 bags, and the Bronx was 3^rd with 11 bags (Nice Job!).

Kudos to all the Green Teens who participated!!!

 *Pictures coming soon…so check back*

Queens Green Teens on It’s My Park Day

As you may know this past Saturday, Oct. 20th, was the citywide ‘It’s My Park Day,’ where our Green Teens helped to improve their local parks. And I must say Queens Green Teens were getting it done! On Saturday alone, Green Teens collected 17 bags of garbage and 2 bags of recyclables (NICE!!!).

 Look at the photos below to see the Green Teens in action!!!

 

Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

 

Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorrentino Recreation Center

 

Job Well Done Green Teens!

 

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities (10/26/12– 11/1/12):

 Natural Areas Volunteers:

1.       Fresh Creek Planting (Brooklyn)
Location: Avenue L and East 108th Street
Dates: Nov. 1
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

2.       Van Cortlandt Park Planting (Bronx)
Location: Van Cortlandt House Museum near Broadway and West 246th Street
Dates: October 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities Keeps Rolling In

This coming Saturday, the 20th, is It’s My Park Day. The following recreation centers in Queens will be taking part and providing activities for teens to get involved:


1. Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

2. Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center

3. Sorrentino Recreation Center

4. Al Oerter recreation Center


Please feel free to call or stop by the centers to see how you can help. Addresses and phone numbers are below.

If you cannot make it this Saturday, don’t fret. Each recreation center provides weekly opportunities for Green Teens to participate. Here are the drop-in hours for each center, when Green Teens can come by and volunteer:


1. Roy Wilkins
177th St. & Baisley Blvd. Jamaica 11434
(718) 276-8686
Saturday: 9am-5pm

2. Lost Battalion Hall
93-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park 11374
(718) 263-1163
Monday – Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

3. Sorrentino
18-48 Cornaga Avenue, Far Rockaway 11691
(718) 471-4818
Tuesday: 3:30pm-5pm

4. Al Oerter
131-40 Fowler Ave., Flushing 11355
(718) 353-7853
Monday – Friday: 2:30pm-8pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm


So far Green Teens have collected 15 bags of garbage and 8 bags of recyclables, and cared for 7 trees. YAY!!! And plan on doing more!


There are other upcoming opportunities coming up with Natural Areas Volunteers across the city:

1. Hunter Island at Pelham Bay Park Reforestation Stewardship (Bronx)
Location: Northeast Corner of the Orchard Beach Parking Lot
Date: Saturday, October 20
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.


There are more opportunities with Natural Areas Volunteers in the coming weeks, so check back here weekly for more info.


Thumbs-Up Green Teens!!!

Queens Green Teens Getting Busy

There has been some great activity going on with the Queens Green Teens. They made a splash last week by not only discussing what they can do, but also by doing it. Some ideas discussed was improving the amount of litter picked up (especially by cleaning after yourself), cleaning parks and beaches, placing more trash cans along streets, and considering the idea of using electric buses to reduce air pollution.

In the TAKE-ACTION department, the Green Teens collected 7 bags of recyclables (AWESOME!), 6 bags of garbage, and cared for 1 tree (NICE!).

Well Done Green Teens! And keep up the good work!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Events

Volunteering Opportunities:
1. Coastal Cleanup
Sunday, October 14th
Fort Totten Park (meet at the front gate), Totten Road and Cross Island Parkway, Queens
11am - 1pm

2. MillionTreesNYC Tree Care Workshop in Queens with Build It Green!NYC
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Build It Green!NYC, Astoria: 3-17 26th Avenue, Queens
2pm–4pm
Register at: http://www.nycgovparks.org/milliontrees/tree_stewardship_workshops


Events:
1. It’s My Park Day
Saturday, October 20th
Contact Green Teens at: Green.Teens@parks.nyc.gov or Quanika.Stover@parks.nyc.gov for more information

Queens Green Teens Keep Streets Clean

On September 22nd, Queens Green Teens and Roy Wilkins Recreation Center helped beautify the area by cleaning the sidewalk islands on Merrick Blvd. The hard work and enthusiasm of these awesome youths resulted in the collection of 10-12 bags of garbage.


Keep Up the Good Work Green Teens!

Green Teens Keep Parks Clean with Spoken Word 

By: Diana Benlevy, Sustainability Initiatives Intern

Queens Green Teens Husain and Zahra Abd’Allah have been participating in Parks programs since they were six and eight years old, respectively. Currently, they are both members of the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center where the siblings learned how to swim and golf by participating in the NYC Parks Learn to Swim Program and the City Parks Foundation Golf program. In addition to their athleticism, Husain is a talented poet and Zahra is a spoken word artist. Together, the sibling duo participated in NYC Parks Spoken Word program at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center. The Green Teens performed anti-litter poetry to creatively encourage the public not to litter. Watch their video here. Have you done anything creative to engage the public in environmental awareness? If so, tell us about it!