NEW YORK—Cool water shot out of a fire hydrant outside the Police Athletic League’s center in Harlem yesterday, and dozens of boys and girls rushed in to escape the baking sun.
The hydrant was opened by Cy Vance Jr., Manhattan district attorney and board member of the Police Athletic League (PAL), to mark the start of the Summer Play Streets program this season. Multiple streets and public spaces are closed off each summer to create a safe and fun recreation space for children from all five boroughs.
“The future of our city depends upon you kids out there,” Vance told the children gathered at the ceremony. “And we view it as our job to make sure that you have the resources and the places to have a safe environment in which to go and play.”
The program will run for a total of seven weeks this summer, with 46 locations open for fun, creative activities and learning. Kids at the opening ceremony participated in sidewalk games like Skelly, Double Dutch jump rope, sack races, Hopscotch, and Jacks.
The hydrant was opened by Cy Vance Jr., Manhattan district attorney and board member of the Police Athletic League (PAL), to mark the start of the Summer Play Streets program this season. Multiple streets and public spaces are closed off each summer to create a safe and fun recreation space for children from all five boroughs.
“The future of our city depends upon you kids out there,” Vance told the children gathered at the ceremony. “And we view it as our job to make sure that you have the resources and the places to have a safe environment in which to go and play.”
The program will run for a total of seven weeks this summer, with 46 locations open for fun, creative activities and learning. Kids at the opening ceremony participated in sidewalk games like Skelly, Double Dutch jump rope, sack races, Hopscotch, and Jacks.
“Rock climbing!” exclaimed Aaron Swinson from the Bronx when asked what he enjoyed the most so far. “I was actually scared at first, but then I climbed all the way to the top and pressed the button and jumped all the way down,” he added. It was his first time in the Summer Play Streets.
The portable rock-climbing wall was provided by the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. Many of the children lined up to compete for prizes at two boardwalk pavilions, which, along with the two inflatable playhouses, were provided for the event by Bronx Toys.
Some children played Nok Hockey against NYPD officers, who, despite wearing their uniforms in the high summer heat, enjoyed themselves and the opportunity to break down negative barriers. Some of the officials present, including David Colon, executive officer of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, participated in the program in their youth.
The portable rock-climbing wall was provided by the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. Many of the children lined up to compete for prizes at two boardwalk pavilions, which, along with the two inflatable playhouses, were provided for the event by Bronx Toys.
Some children played Nok Hockey against NYPD officers, who, despite wearing their uniforms in the high summer heat, enjoyed themselves and the opportunity to break down negative barriers. Some of the officials present, including David Colon, executive officer of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, participated in the program in their youth.
“I used to be in the Police Athletic League a long time ago. I won’t say the year, or I'll give my age away,” said Colon. “I was a product of the Police Athletic League, [and] I feel that it had a lot to do with my upbringing and success.”
Over 50,000 children are provided access to recreational, educational, cultural, and social activities by PAL annually. PAL is the oldest and the largest civilian-organized league in the country.
“This is the 97th year of the Play Streets,” noted Alana Sweeny, PAL executive director.
Summer Play Streets locations are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are free to all New York City kids.
In the last official proceeding at the fun-filled ceremony on Wednesday, the children faced off against members of the NYPD Liaison Unit in a massive tug of war. The kids won by sheer numbers and moved on to have more fun.
Over 50,000 children are provided access to recreational, educational, cultural, and social activities by PAL annually. PAL is the oldest and the largest civilian-organized league in the country.
“This is the 97th year of the Play Streets,” noted Alana Sweeny, PAL executive director.
Summer Play Streets locations are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are free to all New York City kids.
In the last official proceeding at the fun-filled ceremony on Wednesday, the children faced off against members of the NYPD Liaison Unit in a massive tug of war. The kids won by sheer numbers and moved on to have more fun.
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