Bringing Youth, Nature & Community Together
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park had a wonderful year in 2013 and are looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings. Please take a moment to watch this video highlighting some of our 2013 accomplishments. Special thank you to Asa Aarons for taking several of these photos. Special thank you to Tina Walsh for making the video.
NYC Parks’ First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh at the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park’s Table at the 2008 Speak Up.
The Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces will hold the 20th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up on Saturday February 22nd, 2014 from 11am to 5pm in the Faculty Dining Room of the Music Building of Lehman College. The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are proud to have played a role in this event almost every year. This year’s theme is Bronx Parks: A 20/20 Vision which will include presenters from every Community Board and flagship Park in the Bronx discussing what they have seen over the last 20 years and what they would like to see over the next 20 years. Friends’ Executive Director, Christina Taylor, will discuss her experiences in Van Cortlandt Park and her visions for the future. Workshops include: Creative Solutions: Addressing Park Group Dilemmas, Engaging Youth and Working Together on a Master Plan. Read more »
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park hope you will join us for our 5th Annual Hike-a-Thon and help us make it the most successful one yet on Saturday April 26th, 2014. Get out for a hike and help us raise funds for the restoration of Van Cortlandt Park’s spectacular hiking trails. Similar to a Walk-a-Thon, we are asking you to seek out supporters to sponsors your hike for this rain or shine event. Goody bags will be provided to those that raise additional funding at 3 levels ($30, $60 and $100). Plus prizes will be given to those that raise the most funding. Participants can choose one of three hiking routes (ranging from an easy 1 mile hike to a strenuous 5 mile hike) the day of the event. Visit our Hike-a-Thon page for more information and to register (there is a $25 fee) by April 21st, 2014. Read more »
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are very happy to announce that our January 2014 Friend of the Month is our wonderful, longtime friend- Nancy Nunez. Nancy Nunez is the Deputy Director of Youth Services for the Riverdale Neighborhood House who helped us create our Environmental Internship back in 1996 and has helped to develop and improve our program over the last 17 years. The Friends are truly lucky to work with such a wonderful person. Read more »
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park love our volunteers and the wonderful work that they do in the Park. We believe that volunteering, whether with us or another organization, is something everyone should and can do. Here are our top 10 reasons YOU should volunteer in 2014.
Volunteers from Queens College ready to begin their day of service in Van Cortlandt Park. Photo by Asa Aarons.
10.) Volunteering provides personal rewards. It has been know to promote personal growth and self esteem, reduce stress and make you healthier.
9.) Strengthen your resume. Many employers and schools look favorably upon volunteer experience.
8.) It saves resources. In New York State, the estimated value of a volunteer’s time is $28.73/hour. (www.independentsector.org) Read more »
Happy Holidays from the Staff of the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park. Here’s to 2014!
We are so excited for the new year, that we are making our resolutions a little early this year. The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are looking forward to all that 2014 will bring as we continue to Bring Youth, Community and Nature Together. For this new year, we are making the following five resolutions:
1.) The Friends will hire a Seasonal Trails Project Managerallowing us to complete more projects in our Trails Plan (to date we have completed 7 out of 21) and to expand our Volunteer Trails Crew and our Get Active Hiking Series. Read more »
