Double your Donation!

As you may know, a generous anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar every contribution we garner until the end of July, now the first week of August, up to $5,000.

So, let's do it!

That means your $10 will be $20.
$100 will be $200.
$1000 will really be a $2000 contribution!


We know that this Challenge Grant will energize our generous environmentalists,

volunteers and supporters like you... to give today! Thanks to those of you who have already!


*** You can give online at the bottom of page:

http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/donations

*** Or send a check or money order to:

Friends of Brook Park
PO Box 801 Bronx, NY 10454

We are open everyday in the summer, and there is lots to enjoy, from picking a fresh bowl of salad, to watching the graceful catbirds play, to chopping wood and getting ready for Autumn and Winter.

Mark your calendars for Garlic Fest on August 23rd where we give away over 600 heads of garlic grown in the South, South Bronx with DJ Danny and September 20 for a huge volunteer day you wont want to miss!


Please share this with your friends and contacts with a note, and give what you can to DOUBLE YOUR CONTRIBUTION!

Double your contribution today.

You can give online with credit card or paypal at the bottom of page:

http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/donations

Or mail to:
Friends of Brook Park
PO Box 801
The Bronx, NY 10454


We need your support. Thank you again for all you do.


Harry J. Bubbins
Executive Director

Harlem River Canoe Trip Report

“Go over to the right! Go over to the right! The Circle Line is coming!” Harry shouted.

Looking over our shoulders, we saw a giant tour ship chugging up the center of the Harlem River and adjusted our paddle strokes to edge close to the Bronx shoreline. We then pointed the noses of our canoes to ride into the large swells radiating out from the boat that had already rushed past us.

As the waters gradually subsided, our small fleet of four canoes resumed its bobbing journey up the river. Harry Bubbins, the Director of Friends of Brook Park, had invited myself and several other members of The Indypendent newspaper to get out of the office and enjoy a day on the water. What a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Since the Harlem River (like the East River) isn’t really a river but a tidal estuary, we rode the current upstream in the morning and back downstream in the afternoon. In between, we parked our canoes just below the Roberto Clemente State Park and joined people from the neighborhood who were celebrating a giant picnic complete with teepees, games, environmental exhibits from urbandivers.org, fresh-pressed apple cider and an abundance of free food.

On the return trip back to the South Bronx, where Friends of Brook Park is based, we rowed into a strong headwind and watched numerous speedboats zipping by. We were moving at a crawl but speed isn’t everything. Being on the water on a warm summer day propelling yourself forward with nothing more than a three-foot long paddle is its own reward, a reminder that just beneath the frenetic rush of our 21st century lives an older, elemental way of being beckons.

This was the second time I’ve gone out on the water with Friends of Brook Park and I would recommend the experience to anybody looking to partake of one of New York’s most beautiful and overlooked treasures: its rivers.

John Tarleton is a writer and editor for The Indypendent (www.indypendent.org).
Photo by Renee Feltz of the Indypendent (www.indypendent.org) (Landing near the Urban Divers Eco Center.)

Racoon in Brook Park

Not all were captured.

Survey for The Harlem River Task Force*

Yes bikes yes on-water access yes kayaks and canoes...

Survey for The Harlem River Task Force*

The Harlem River Park Task Force is a coalition comprised of local,
citywide, and regional organizations working together with elected officials
to improve the quality of life in the Harlem & East Harlem communities. As
part of this mission, the task force is conducting a survey to better
understand the barriers to access of Harlem River Park for Harlem
residents. Five minutes of your time to fill out this survey will help the
task force in its efforts to provide better access to and encourage usage of
this waterfront park.

Click below to take the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aMf6ttbwI8PABr8m87xdjw_3d_3d