Great news on the Waterfront, and more

Subject: This week with FoBP!

1 Great news for our waterfront!

2 This week volunteer opportunities in the field!

3 Needed:

4 Donate today!


1 Great news for our waterfront!

After many years of many people dedicating time and effort, from the local community to the prestigious New Yorkers for Parks, our waterfront park project on the Harlem River has been awarded $100,000 throiugh the NYC Parks Department!

We have applied for years, gone to conferencs in Albany and are a member of the statewide coalition Friends of the Environmental Protection Fund. Of course we have been hosting events with artists like Waste Zero, conducted shore clean ups with the American Littoral Sociaety and taken youth form the South Bronx and Harlem on the river for their first canoeing experiences!

See below for the great news!!!

http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/06/0809062.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 9, 2006
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $3.3 MILLION IN EPF GRANTS FOR NEW YORK CITY

17 Awards Support Recreation, Waterfront Improvements and Historic
Preservation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the award of $3,255,225 in
Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants for 17 open space, waterfront
revitalization and preservation projects throughout New York City. The
awards support various projects, including waterfront improvements,
repairs and restoration work to historic properties, and enhancements to
public recreation and playground facilities in city parks and community
gardens.

"The EPF awards create new recreational opportunities, help connect
communities to their waterfronts and protect local historic properties -
safeguarding and enhancing our State's unique outdoor resources and
cultural treasures," Governor Pataki said. "Here in New York City,
these investments will improve the quality of life for residents in
urban neighborhoods from Bushwick to Chinatown. Together these grants
continue to build a strong foundation for local communities with greater
public access to parklands, playgrounds and waterways and the
preservation of the City's rich heritage and architecture, benefiting
New Yorkers of all ages well into the future."

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "Restoring and improving our
City's waterfront has been one of the hallmarks of this
administration. Since 2002, we have implemented dramatic improvements to
our waterfront parks throughout New York City. Thanks to these EPF
grants from New York State, we will be able to continue the great
renaissance of our shoreline."

Since 1995, the State Environmental Protection Fund has provided nearly
$1.3 billion in State assistance for more than 4,700 projects that
protect and enhance the quality of New York's natural resources. More
than $87 million has been invested in EPF grants administered by State
Parks to support 745 municipal open space, recreation and historic
preservation projects in communities across New York State. During that
time, the Department of State's Division of Coastal Resources has
administered more than $80 million for 775 EPF LWRP grants.

The following is a list of the awards:

New York City Dept. of Parks and Recreation $100,000

The Friends of Brook Park, sponsored by the Department of Parks and
Recreation, will undertake planning for the south Bronx Harlem River
waterfront in the Port Morris and Mott Haven neighborhoods. Work will
include community visioning, planning and design for access and park
amenities for the Park Avenue street end, currently owned by NYC DCAS.
In addition, grant funds will be used to develop maps and outreach
materials, and identify additional access opportunities.


www.nyswaterfronts.com



2 Volunteer this week in the field!!!

Monday August 14

1- 3 PM

Brook Park

Dig your hands in the Earth, celebrate summer!
We invite you to join us in giving active and loving care to our Brook Park. We welcome both skilled and unskilled alike to join our team in making improvements to our physical environment. Depending on needs at the time and the uniqueness of the group, we will tackle a variety of tasks and/or a joint project. Please join us for a day of service through focused and joyful work. Please let us know if you are intending to participate and sign up through our website via the Volunteer section.


Tuesday TBA


Wednesday August 16th
1-5 PM (5- 7 session available too.)
Farmer's Market Day!
Paint the raised beds day!

Dig your hands in the Earth, celebrate summer!
We invite you to join us in giving active and loving care to our Brook Park. We welcome both skilled and unskilled alike to join our team in making improvements to our physical environment. Depending on needs at the time and the uniqueness of the group, we will tackle a variety of tasks and/or a joint project. Please join us for a day of service through focused and joyful work. Please let us know if you are intending to participate and sign up through our website via the Volunteer section.



Thursday August 17th 2-5 PM

We are introducing youth teens to the water with brief near shore paddles from our waterfront park site just identified to receive $100,000 in Environmental Protection Fund monies!

It is the last day of their summer employment program.

One of our State Senator will also be on hand. Volunteers needed!!!

To Paddle---

To set up---

To pick up litter, shore clean-up---

To make pictures----

To offer food and water---

To wrap up---


How can you help?---

3 Needed!

Volunteers Sought!!!


Hey Friends

As the summer rolls on and the vegetables and flowers grow, the lush trees stretch green, and the rivers flow, Friends of Brook Park welcomes your greater participation!

There are numerous ways in which your time and skills can benefit our efforts. See below for a brief list of our needs and interests. Let us know if you are interested in plugging in and making a difference in our City for numerous people.


Sincerely,

Harry



Update Our Calendar
on line, from home FILLED

Media/Press releases
handle our media relations, write a press release, place stories

Fundraisers
help us in any way, grant writers, corporate donations, individual networking, we have contacts and leads and welcome all experiences, learn and contribute!

Curriculum editor:
work to personalize for Brook Park an extensive exisiting curriculum for our garden, fine tune, try out,

Bike fixer
tune up our bikes, make carts to carry canoes and kayaks

Brochure Maker
we need a general informational brochure about our many efforts, include your logo and contact info on it

Flier Maker
we need fliers every now and then

Canoe trip paddlers
experienced to help us on shore paddles and longer trips

Bike Tour leaders
with times up! Every season
wouldn't be possible without our volunteer hike leaders. Share your favorite route, special talent, knowledge of the South Bronx area by volunteering to lead a bike or hike. You provide the inspiration and we will do the organizing. We have exisiting routes too.

EJ Campaigns:
Randall's Island issue, organizer, promote we need you

Law Student to work with our lawyers on a historic case

Waste management help us hold this huge corporation more accountable to our community



Farmers Market Volunteers
be in the garden with great people set up and or close up or be around in the day

Gardeners
any day or time, no experience needed

Gallery Hosters
commit to be in our gallery once or twive a week for a few hours, use the space for your own art creations while here

Curators in our gallery,
arrange, plan and promote shows

Event Coordinator
looking to do an autumn fundraiser, with art auction

ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS
Like all non-profit organizations with a small staff, fobp is always appreciative of help with "housekeeping" business. We can work around your schedule and availability. Our typical needs include outreach packet preparation, stuffing envelopes, and photocopying. Some tasks can even be completed from home.

Building Acquisition/Architect
Coordinate a local network of grass roots organizations with FoBP to acquire a building to transform into a multi purpose green community center, architect/designer needed pro bono too

Video/ DVD copier
Copy our informative videos and dvds for distribution

4 Donate On line!

http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/donations

Easy click on with secure credit card or paypal. Give once or every month, it's easy and extremely helpful!

Since 1999 we've been growing the Friends of Brook Park spectrum of activities and events. From community gardening to canoe paddling, bike tours and indigenous culture tipi ritual learning experiences, we have offered meaningful opportunities for deep connections with the environment and with each other.

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