Monthly Archives: July 2023

#10: Trees

Covid-19 Oral History, , , ,
Sept. 29, 2020.
Sept. 29, 2020.

On this episode we are focusing on one topic: trees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYC Parks teams that work to preserve the green spaces of New York faced challenges of working during the crisis, just like all of us. There also was a destructive windstorm that demolished thousands of trees, that added to the incredible workload. By focusing on this one area of the Parks Department, we will learn more about the work that continues today on our urban forest.

Today our guests all work with trees and green space:

  • Jennifer Greenfeld, Deputy Commissioner for Environment and Planning
  • Jillian Naveh, Communications Liaison for Forestry Horticulture & Natural Resources Group
  • Franklin Sosa-Velasquez, Forestry Supervisor
  • Lea Thali, Stewardship Community Coordinator
  • Phillip Walker, Manhattan Park Supervisor

We record our shows in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at McCarren Park Play Center in the Media Education Lab. Our team is using the Media Lab and Parks volunteers to share our history with listeners, presenting some of the more than 100 oral history interviews conducted with Parkies.

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#9 One Leaf, One Team

Covid-19 Oral History, , , , ,
Madison Square Park, April 14, 2020.
Madison Square Park, April 14, 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Parks Department leaned on its team on the frontlines extra hard to keep parks clean and green for the public to enjoy. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the agency’s workforce, in particular to shine a light on the Parks Opportunity Program. This gives entry-level workers jobs, as well opportunities for education, personal growth, and advancement in the workforce.

Today our guests are Parkies who have personal experience with our important workforce development program:

  • Wanda Heath, Parks Opportunity Program Worker
  • Michelle Broady,  City Seasonal Aide
  • Jessenea Rivero,  City Seasonal Aide
  • Elvin Torro Lobo, former City Park Worker
  • Bernard Maguire, City Park Worker
  • Elizabeth Ehrlich, former Chief of Workforce Development

We record our shows in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at McCarren Park Play Center in the Media Education Lab. Our team is using the Media Lab and Parks volunteers to share our history with listeners, presenting some of the more than 100 oral history interviews conducted with Parkies.

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#8 Feeding New Yorkers

Covid-19 Oral History, , ,
Hunts Point Recreation Center.
Hunts Point Recreation Center.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest challenges facing New York City was food insecurity. As the scale of the pandemic grew, the City of New York turned to NYC Parks. This was the Get Food New York City program. A robust food distribution program was run out of NYC Parks Recreation Centers for several months. It’s an incredible story of project planning, dedication, execution, and success. Ultimately Parks oversaw eight food distribution sites citywide. The totals over those months: 42 million meals distributed via taxi cabs and hired cars.

In this episode, our guests are Parkies connected to the pandemic food distribution program.

  •  Ashanta Smith, Recreation Center Manager
  • Jorge Ortiz III, Community Coordinator, Emergency Management

 

We record our shows in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at McCarren Park Play Center in the Media Education Lab. Our team is using the Media Lab and Parks volunteers to share our history with listeners, presenting some of the more than 100 oral history interviews conducted with Parkies.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download