ABSTRACT:

Whenever Harlem native Dana Velazquez wants to bask in the great outdoors, she never has to go far.

“People don’t know it, but it’s all here, right here in Harlem,” said Velazquez,a 29 year-old graduate student. “We have these wonderful parks around here with so many activities going on , so much to do and to learn. How can you be bored? I’m forever going the parks. I just love it there.”

Harlem’s parks are Uptown’s best-kept secrets. While they are not highlighted on most of the city’s tourist maps, New Yorkers and visitors can easily enjoy a day full of activities. ….

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HARLEM’S OPEN SPACES

Marcus Garvey Park

East 120th – 124th Streets and Madison Avenue

Area: 20.2 acres

Jackie Robinson Park

Brandhurst & Edgecombe Aves, from West 145th to West 155th Streets.

Area: 12.8 acres (with one acre playground)

Morningside Park

West 110th to West 123rd Streets, Manhattan Avenue to Morningside Drive

Area: 29.88 acres

St. Nicholas Park

St. Nicholas Ave – St. Nicholas Terr., West 128th – West 141st Sts.

Area: 23 acres

Riverside Park

Riverside Drive to Hudson River, West 72nd St. to Clair Place

Area: 267 acres

Riverbank State Park

West 145th St. and Riverside Drive

Area: 28 acres

The Harlem Meer

Central Park North/West 110th St./Malcolm X Blvd. East to Fifth Ave.

Area: Central Park’s 840 acres

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Harlem fact: Robert Graham’s Duke Ellington Memorial is on the northeast corner of Central Park.

Harlem fact: The original village of Harlem was established in 1658 by Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant and named Nieuw Harlem after the Dutch city of Harlem.

Harlem fact: Harlem began to develop as a suburb foe the well-to-do when the New York and Harlem Railroad started service from Lower Manhattan in 1837.

Harlem fact: The Greater Harlem chamber of Commerce created Harlem Week to celebrate the rich cultural and historic wealth of the community.

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OTHER STORIES APPEARING:

* Honoring Excellence (p. 48-49)

* Celebrate good times – Harlem Week celebrates its 28th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion, the whole month is full of things to do in the neighborhood. (calendar) (p. 50)