Adrian Benepe News

Internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a free concert on Central Park's Great Lawn, Thursday, September 15th with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by its music director Alan Gilbert, as a special gift to New York City (tickets required for entry).

The free concert offered by internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli on Central Park's Great Lawn, Thursday, September 15, 2011, will be recorded in high definition by THIRTEEN's GREAT PERFORMANCES. Accompanied by the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of music director Alan Gilbert, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, conducted by Joe Miller, with special guest artists to be announced, the gala event is a special gift to New York City.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined Executive Director of the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park, Cesar Fuentes to welcome 15 of Parks' specialty food vendors from around the boroughs and celebrate their award-winning goods.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined Bike and Roll NYC President Chris Wogas, Lincoln Square Business Improvement District President Monica Blum, and Bike and Roll owners Darryl White, Stephen Marks, and Josh Squires at Bike and Roll's Tavern on the Green location to celebrate Bike and Roll NYC's 5th anniversary and launch their new Hop On/Hop Off Program.

As the grand finale of "Make NYC Your Gym" week the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and NYC Parks, in partnership with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, will host a BeFitNYC Fitness Festival to showcase some of the greatest fitness findings in all of NYC, including: Zumba, Intensati & other Shape Up NYC classes led by Equinox; Intro to Quidditch; Running Analysis by JackRabbit Sports; Handcycling Demonstrations provided by the United Spinal Association; and a MillionTreesNYC Watering Blitz.

The Health Department and the Department of Parks & Recreation today kicked off 'Make NYC Your Gym' week, a campaign to get New Yorkers moving by highlighting the vast array of fitness opportunities outside their doorsteps.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer; City Council Member Inez Dickens; Community Board 11 Chair Matthew Washington; Marcus Park Alliance President and Secretary/Treasurer Carla MacIntosh and Valerie Jo Bradley; City Parks Foundation Executive Director David Rivel; and Mary Rodgers Guettel, daughter of the composer Richard Rodgers and executive board member of the Rodgers Family Foundation, to cut the ribbon on $7 million in improvements to the restored bandshell and amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park.

Parks & Recreation announces that New York City's beaches will open to the public this Saturday, May 28, with lifeguards on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times.

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is proud to announce Ruth McKerrell as the inaugural recipient of the Clare Weiss Emerging Artist Award.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined student artists from NYC Public Schools, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education Dennis Walcott, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs Kate Levin, Senior Counsel for the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Wendy Gellman, New York City Department of Education Coordinator of Visual Arts Karen Rosner, and guest artists Christo and Audrey Flack to present a student public art exhibition, on display through August in Parks throughout the city.

Parks & Recreation today announces that a Request for Proposals ("RFP") has been issued for the sale of specialty food from a mobile unit at Cherry Hill in Central Park.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today announced the selection of the City Farm Cafe as the new operator of a seasonal cafe in Union Square Park, managed by O-V Hospitality Group, LLC ("O-V"), a New York-based restaurant management firm.

Parks & Recreation today announces that a Request for Proposals ('RFP') has been issued for the development, operation and maintenance of a horseback riding concession in Central Park at a site adjacent to the North Meadow Recreation Center.

The Arsenal Gallery is pleased to present Full Circle: Ai Weiwei and the Emperor's Fountain in collaboration with AW Asia.

The Arsenal Gallery is pleased to present Full Circle: Ai Weiwei and the Emperor's Fountain in collaboration with AW Asia.

The Metropolitan Opera announced the return of its popular free outdoor series of summer events.

Today, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Alex Felson, Assistant Professor at Yale University's School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Patrice Kleinberg, Director of Education & Visitor Services at the Queens Botanical Garden and eighth graders from East West School of International Studies in Flushing, celebrated a research and reforestation collaboration between the Parks Department and Yale University at Kissena Corridor Park by planting trees and collecting data on the existing trees that were planted last fall.