On June 15, New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba and Human Resources Administration (HRA) Commissioner Robert Doar will welcome the NYC DADS Father's Day Picnic to KeySpan Park in Coney Island. The picnic is expected to attract over 1,000 people from across the five boroughs. Fathers and their children can enjoy games, music and a southern-style barbecue provided by restaurateur Danny Meyer's Blue Smoke restaurant. This free event will run from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and is open to the public.

The picnic, made possible through a partnership between the HRA and the New York City Sports Commission, is designed to recognize fathers who are working hard to stay connected to their kids and to promote and highlight the positive effects that dads have on the lives of their children.

"Being a father myself, I understand how important it is to spend quality time with my kids," said Commissioner Podziba. "The NYC DADS Father's Day Picnic is a great chance for fathers and their children to spend a day together, bonding over carnival games and enjoying a wonderful barbeque. I commend HRA for providing opportunities for our city's fathers to stay involved in their children's lives."

"Better fathers help make better families, and better families are good for all New York," said Commissioner Doar. "That's why we believe it's important to celebrate the role of fathers in children's lives as often as possible through our NYC Dads events. Not only on Father's Day, but everyday."

The picnic will be an afternoon full of festivities including face painting, mini golf, carnival games, Big Apple Circus entertainers, inflatable rides, and a DJ. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a Jets' QB toss, a New York Rangers' slap shot booth and a fast pitch station, in addition to several other attractions. Giveaways and raffle prizes for the children include items from Snapple, ESPN, Nike, the Sports Museum of America, Upper Deck, the NY Jets, the NY Liberty and the NY Yankees.

The NYC DADS Father's Day Picnic is one of many events that HRA organizes as part of its citywide NYC DADS campaign. NYC DADS was launched with the purpose of focusing on the important role that fathers play in their children's lives. The program endorses parenting programs that emphasize the critical roles of both mothers and fathers in child rearing, child development and ultimately the future of the children. As part of this initiative, HRA hosts events throughout the five boroughs to encourage fathers with limited financial resources to spend quality time with their children and participate in community parenting programs.

On Friday, June 13, HRA will also launch the city's new NYC DADS website, www.nyc.gov/nycdads, which will contain information about parenting and family activities, as well as referrals to supportive parenting and social service programs for low-income fathers. Local community organizations including STRIVE, Seedco and the Center for Employment Opportunities will be in attendance to provide information about their services for fathers.

For more information on HRA and its various programs, please visit www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/home/home.shtml.

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) enhances the quality of life for all New Yorkers by providing temporary help to eligible individuals and families with social service and economic needs in order to assist them in leading independent lives. These goals are accomplished through the administration of a broad range of social welfare programs and services.

The New York City Sports Commission is the mayoral agency charged with attracting, facilitating and promoting professional, amateur and scholastic sports events in New York City. The Sports Commission has played an integral role in creating or developing many new sporting events, including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ Champions Week, the BMC Software NYC Cycling Championship, the AVP Brooklyn Open, the NAUTICA NYC Triathlon, the NYC Half-Marathon, the Union Square Street Sessions presented by Jeep®, the Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race, and the Men's Health Urbanathlon.