FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 122-06 April 20, 2006 MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSIONER BENEPE KICK-OFF THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION’S NATIONAL GARDEN MONTH IN HONOR OF EARTH DAY Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and National Gardening Association Vice President Anthony Vargo today announced a week of garden and horticulture education in celebration of National Garden Month 2006. From Saturday, April 22 through Saturday, April 29, the Department of Parks & Recreation and the National Garden Association (NGA) will host a number of garden-related events throughout the City, including green markets, planting initiatives, a garden-themed art exhibit, horticulture education, workshops and lectures, children's activities, and a variety of unique garden tours. "Spring has arrived and New York City is blooming with more flowers than at any time in our history," said Mayor Bloomberg. "As we celebrate National Garden Month, we are grateful to our community partners who have worked to bring parks, playgrounds, Greenstreets and community gardens to life with millions of new flowers, shrubs and trees." "The Big Apple is turning into Flower City," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "From our historic parks and squares to our magnificent botanical gardens, we are greening the City and creating a little piece of paradise in every neighborhood. National Garden Month in New York City is a time to celebrate the green side of our communities." "The National Gardening Association is committed to making gardening and plants a greater priority in the minds of Americans," says Tony Vargo, Vice President, National Gardening Association. "In the fourth year of celebrating National Garden Month, a program of NGA, we are excited to share this time of celebration, education and inspiration with the residents of New York City through our partnership with the Department of Parks & Recreation." Each day of the week, Parks and National Garden Month partners will offer a host of horticulture-focused events. Here are some of the week's highlights:
There are more flowers blooming in New York City today than ever before, thanks to the growing number of non-profit partners and conservancies, programs, and maintenance initiatives that have been established in an effort to create new, and preserve existing, gardens and greenspaces. For additional details on National Garden Month events and happenings, or any of the partners and programs aforementioned, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311. MEDIA CONTACT: Stu Loeser / Silvia Alvarez (212) 788-2958 Warner Johnston (Department of Parks & Recreation) (212) 360-1311 |
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