Good thing those metal orbs were removed in Brooklyn Bridge Park, because yesterday as temperatures reached 102 degrees, certain city surfaces were scorching hot! This photo was taken at the Artificial Turf Field in Manhattan's Booker T. Washington Playground yesterday, showing a 171 degree surface at 11:46 a.m. Geoffrey Croft of the NYC Park Advocates sent the photo along, noting that park surface temperatures are reaching record highs. more ›

The Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center surveyed folks in Union Square and Central Park on Monday, and they report back that 94 of 100 wanted artists to stay. Artists are, of course, staying—but under the new proposed regulations they would be cut down significantly in certain city parks. They compiled this video, where locals praise the art community in city parks, and wonder how anyone could possibly find it difficult to navigate around the vendors that are set up there. more ›

Today City Council is hearing arguments for a bill that would prohibit the use of artificial rubber in all city playgrounds and fields. The bill comes on the heels of the temporary shutdown of Thomas Jefferson Park, a soccer field at 113th Street and First Avenue where five times more lead than the Environmental Protection Agency allows in playground soil was discovered in December. Advocates of the bill say that dangerous amount of toxins are contained in the "tire crumbs" that make up the turf. Co-sponsor of the legislation Councilman Eric Giola said yesterday, "You wouldn't let your children play in a junkyard, but many of the same chemicals are in this material." The Parks Department says that Thomas Jefferson Park is an aberration, possibly caused by coal that was there in years past. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe adds that grass parks may not actually be more environmentally conscious when you factor in the pesticides, herbicides, aeration and millions of gallons of water that go into maintaining them. more ›

The artificial turf being used to replace natural grass in NYC parks has been pointed out as a source of unhealthful emissions, but it's also just plain hot. The Daily News dispatched reporters with thermometers to five City parks with artificial grass and found that urban athletes had more to fear than ill-fitting footwear when it comes to blistered feet.

Over two mildly warm days last month, The News took surface temperature readings at five synthetic fields across the city accompanied by NYC Park Advocates, a group that has been critical of the fake grass. more ›

It's a walk-up, but the price is right. City squirrels are enjoying the goodwill of concerned citizens and the Parks Dept., who cooperated to install squirrel houses in City Hall Park. Mark Garvin had five of the boxes, which measure about a foot around, built with soft pine for several hundred dollars a piece--city real estate insanity extends to the trees! more ›

New York's own floating pool is opening tomorrow! The concept was that of Ann Buttenwieser, founder of the Neptune Foundation and a former manager of City Parks. The water on water can be found at Brooklyn Bridge Park, it's free and open from 11am to 7pm (the beach is open from 9am to 9pm) - seven days a week. more ›

One can hear plenty of trees falling in the forest in Staten Island these days, as the Parks Dept. is on a massive tree-killing spree after the notice of a few dozen Asian longhorned beetles. The insect is a scourge and first appeared in Greenpoint, Brooklyn about a decade ago, after possibly being imported in a wooden packing crate from China. The female of the species lays its eggs in a tree and the larva burrow their way towards the center of the plant. Once grown, the beetle chews its way out, leaving a large hole that can be lethal to trees when repeated enough times. more ›

This Saturday, the City Parks & Recreation Department will open the first official mountain biking trail at Highbridge Park in Inwood. According to the Parks Department, the "new trail system includes black diamond features, a BMX track, and a challenge trail for younger or newer riders," as well as "trailhead kiosks, trail markers and interpretive signage, natural resources monitoring, landscaping material to replant denuded areas, trail building tools, and educational pamphlets that advocate safety and environmental stewardship." more ›

The City Council unanimously reappointed four commissioners and appointed a new one to the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday (via the NY Observer). Four of the five have ties to the outer boroughs. more ›

Opponents say, “You’re building towers in the park.” It’s not quite a fabrication, but it’s an exaggeration. They are building some towers in a currently industrial area at the edge of what will become a fine park. The same way they built Riverside Park and Riverside Drive—a whole swath of real estate was developed along their edges.For more info about the city's park plans, check out this informative PDF from NYC 2030 site. more ›

Flats to Let, from Matt Weber's great Flickr stream. You can see more of his work at Urban Photos. more ›

The City Parks Department contacted Gothamist to set the facts straight about the disappearance of the Astor Place Cube, the rotating sculpture beloved to New Yorkers. Director of Public Information Warner Johnston told us that the cube was removed last night for repairs: One of the four large bolts that attaches the cube to the base was missing! When people would try to rotate the cube, the cube would tilt, so the Parks Department decided that the 2500 pound cube needed to be repaired for everyone's safety. Good call! The Parks Department is working with the artist, Tony Rosenthal, as well as conservationists who worked on the cube in the 80s, to fix the cube. The Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe issued this statement:

The City has not forgotten The Alamo. With the assistance of the Mayor's Office and the Art Commission, we are working to give it emergency stabilization with funding provided by DOT, the custodian of the artwork. It will be returned to Astor Place better than ever.

And though Kwanzaa is an African-American event, here are African restaurants via Citysearch and Menupages. more ›

I'm thinking about doing a little volunteer work for a theatre group this summer - do you have any suggestions? I have lots of experience both onstage and backstage, but am not particularly interested in pursuing it career-wise. Thanks for your help! more ›

Now that New York is experiencing a consistent amount of decent weather, I'd like to move my workouts from the gym to Central Park. One thing I'm concerned about is the amount of traffic on the park's main loop. When is Central Park closed to cars? more ›