MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES NEW YORK METS WILL "ADOPT" FIVE MILES OF THE JACKIE ROBINSON PARKWAY UNDER "ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY" CLEAN UP PROGRAM
COMPLETES ADOPTION OF PARKWAY
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the New York Mets baseball team will adopt the last five miles of the Jackie Robinson Parkway, completing the highway's adoption under the "Adopt-a-Highway" maintenance program. Adoption of these miles means the entire 10-mile parkway is being cared for by concerned citizens and corporate sponsors. The Mayor was joined by Department of Transportation Commissioner Christopher R. Lynn and Mets President Fred Wilpon at Shea Stadium.
"The Adopt-a-Highway initiative is a successful experiment in public/private partnerships that helps manage and maintain the City's roads," Mayor Giuliani said. "This important cooperative effort makes possible a safe, clean and attractive travel network throughout the City. I congratulate the Mets for adopting these last five miles of the Jackie Robinson Parkway, a name which holds special significance for all baseball fans and for all Americans."
"Fifty years ago, in one memorable season, Jackie Robinson changed baseball and American society forever," the Mayor said. "On April 15, right here at Shea Stadium, Robinson's number 42 was the first uniform number ever to be retired by Major League Baseball. The parkway passes his gravesite in Cypress Hills and links Brooklyn, home of the Dodgers, and Queens, where Shea Stadium currently stands. In the short time since the Parkway was renamed on April 15, all 10 miles have been adopted."
"We couldn't be prouder to be a part of Mayor Giuliani's Adopt-a-Highway program which pays tribute to Jackie Robinson," said Mets President Fred Wilpon. Since April our club has been at the forefront of honoring the memory of one of the game's great
players and humanitarians. The Mayor's tribute is special for us because it will last forever, and its so close to our ballpark at Shea stadium."
The newly named Parkway winds through Queens and Brooklyn extending for five miles eastbound and five westbound for a total of ten adoptable miles. The Mets will be joining corporate sponsors Chock Full o'Nuts, Granite Parking, AIA Environmental, Granite Broadcasting Corporation, St. Mary's Hospital and New York Paving in maintaining this road.
"The adopt-a-highway program is but one example of the Giuliani administration's attempt to forge public and private partnerships which benefit the city." said Commissioner Lynn. "I'm proud of the DOT's record in implementing this successful program."
New York City highways have been significantly cleaner since the program's inception. During the last year, 90% of adopted highway segments were rated clean.
Launched in 1995, Mayor Giuliani's Adopt-a-Highway program ensures that New York City's arterial highways stay clean and safe. The program allows for individual or corporate "adoption" of segments of New York's thoroughfares for a minimum of one year, for the purpose of upkeep and/or beautification. Financial support is provided by the sponsors in conjunction with maintenance providers who provide litter removal, graffiti eradication or landscaping services. The efforts of the sponsors are acknowledged with customized signs posted on their roads acknowledging their commitment to improve the quality of life for everyone, in the city and on the highways.
There are 344 miles of adoptable highway in New York City. In FY 97, the goal of a total of 220 adoptions was met. For FY 98 the City hopes to find caretakers for 20 more miles, and exceed last year's goal.
The following sponsors have adopted three or more segments citywide: PC Richards and Sons (7 segments), Chock Full o'Nuts (6 segments), Kinray (5 segments), NYNEX (4 segments), Members Only (4 segments), D'Agostino Supermarkets (4 segments), CD 101.9 (4 segments), Universal Ford (3 segments), M. Slavin & Sons (3 segments), AIA Environmental (3 segments) and La Fres Ford (3 segments).
A Sponsor Satisfaction survey completed in Spring 1997 revealed that 84% of sponsors are satisfied or very satisfied with the program and 91% plan to continue as sponsors when their segments expire. In addition, 94% plan to stay with the same Maintenance Provider, and 93% would recommend this program to another company. To adopt a highway, please call (212) 788-1234.
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