Memorial Day, May 30, 2016

May 292016
 

DSC00002Memorial Day started in several cities in 1866, as a tribute to soldiers who had died in the Civil War. In 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Veterans, organized Decoration Day, a holiday to honor those who had died in the war.

As part of his speech at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt Park’s namesake, said, “On July 4 we celebrate the birth of the nation; on this day, the 30th of May, we call to mind the deaths of those who died that the nation might live.

In 1971, Congress established the last Monday in May as the national holiday of Memorial Day. In 2016, May 30th is the day chosen to remember all those who have died in active military service.

 May 29, 2016  Comments Off on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016

Tulips

May 032016
 

Tulips in Roosevelt Park Enjoy the tulips blooming in the park!

 May 3, 2016  Comments Off on Tulips

Earth Day

Apr 222016
 

Earth Day

Roosevelt Park Trees and Flowers

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Conceived by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was intended to increase awareness of threats to the environment.

Roosevelt Park NYC bare dirtTwenty years after the first Earth Day, The Friends of Roosevelt Park were a newly formed group, dedicated to the restoration of Roosevelt Park. The park had been neglected, resulting in stretches of bare dirt broken interspersed with dead plants. It was a stressed environment.

Today, Earth Day has become an international observance, and Roosevelt Park has been restored to a welcoming slice of nature in the city. Its 10 acres are filled with trees, grass, and flowers. This Earth Day, come sit on one of our benches and celebrate how far the park has come!

 April 22, 2016  Comments Off on Earth Day

Daffodils arrive on the Upper West Side

Mar 282016
 

There are more than 50 species of Daffodils, and most have yellow or white flowers. Daffodils grow easily and they are not only tolerant to cold, but they need to experience cold for the flowers to bloom. For this reason, they don’t naturally grow in climates that never have frost. Daffodils will grow in shade after they have finished flowering.

Daffodil History

Daffodils are native to the Mediterranean, and were cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Romans believed that the sap from Daffodils had healing powers, but daffodils are actually toxic. Eating them can cause symptoms that include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Daffodils are also poisonous to squirrels, cats and dogs.

Daffodils in New York City Parks

In response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, Hans van Waardenburg, a Dutch bulb supplier, and the city of Rotterdam sent New York City a gift of one million daffodil bulbs. The Parks Department, New Yorkers for Parks, and landscape architect Lynden Miller started the Daffodil Project, and volunteers planted the bulbs in parks across the city. In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg named the daffodil the official flower of New York City. Today, there are millions of daffodils in New York City Parks.

 

 March 28, 2016  Comments Off on Daffodils arrive on the Upper West Side

Mild winter interrupted by snow

Feb 082016
 

Blizzard of 2016

The winter of 2015-2016 has been unusually warm in New York City, with few days below freezing. It seemed as though there might not be any need to even take the winter clothing out of storage. Then, on January 24, 2016, more than two feet of snow was measured in Central Park, and Roosevelt Park, right across Central Park West, was equally covered in white.

Snow in Roosevelt Park

The benches, paths and flower beds were all covered in snow, but that didn’t stop dogs and their owners from enjoying t

 

 February 8, 2016  Comments Off on Mild winter interrupted by snow

GreenLife Interns

Dec 282015
 

Greenlife internsThe GreenLife internship program allows high school students to learn horticulture and gain work experience that will help prepare them for the workforce.

Students from The Urban Assembly School for Green Careers work on projects in the park for nine months of the year. They are also able to take free after-school courses at the American Museum of Natural History.

 

 

 

 December 28, 2015  Comments Off on GreenLife Interns

Giving Tuesday

Dec 012015
 

Help Keep Roosevelt Park BeautifulGiving Tuesday

Before the Friends of Roosevelt Park began contributing to the maintenance and management of the park, conditions had deteriorated dramatically. The park was neglected, with litter, bare dirt and dead plants. Now the park is an attractive place to visit. Help keep it that way!

100% of every dollar you donate to Friends of Roosevelt Park is applied to the park. There are no salaried administrators. Friends of Roosevelt Park is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your gift is fully tax deductible.

Use the button below to donate online. You can use your credit card or your Paypal account.


You can also mail your gift to:

Friends of Roosevelt Park, Inc.
6 W. 77 St., 8C
New York, NY 10024

 December 1, 2015  Comments Off on Giving Tuesday

London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia)

Nov 242015
 

London plane trees 533 x 300

The London plane is a very common street tree in New York City. It is resistant to insects, disease and air pollution, making it well-suited to an urban environment.

The London plane tree is a hybrid of the American sycamore and the Oriental plane tree. London plane trees grow quickly, and their mottled look comes from the shedding of older bark, revealing newer, lighter bark underneath. One benefit of losing the outer bark is that it allows the tree to shed the pollutants that may have accumulated on the bark, which helps the tree avoid damage from pollution.

 November 24, 2015  Comments Off on London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia)
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