LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Friends of Kaiser Park upon the occa-
sion of its Awards Dinner on May 7, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations
and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry and are greatly enriched, as well, by the availability
of exceptional cultural and recreational facilities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Friends of Kaiser Park upon the occasion of its Awards Dinner, to be
held at Paradise Caterers in Brooklyn on Thursday, May 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Kaiser Park is named for Dr. Leon S. Kaiser (1884-1951), an
early 20th century Brooklynite, lawyer, civic leader and a dedicated and
passionate educator, who served as a teacher and principal at several
public schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, A native of Manhattan, Dr. Kaiser attended City College as an
undergraduate and earned a law degree from New York University; instead
of practicing law, though, Leon Kaiser committed his life to educating
New York City's children; and
WHEREAS, In 1924, Dr. Kaiser moved from Manhattan to Coney Island,
Brooklyn, and took a post as Principal of P.S. 188 at Neptune Avenue and
West 23rd Street; in 1937, he became the first Principal of Mark Twain
Junior High School, P.S. 239; now known as Mark Twain Intermediate
School 239 for the Gifted and Talented, the school is nestled just
inside Kaiser Park, which serves as an adjunct facility for the school;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Dr. Kaiser held leadership positions
in many educational and civic groups, including the Junior High School
Principals' Association, Brooklyn Teachers' Association, Coney Island
Jewish Center and the 1931 Coney Island Emergency Relief Committee; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated principal, Leon Kaiser worked at Mark Twain
Junior High School nurturing young minds and encouraging students to
excel until his death on April 7, 1951; later that year, a local law was
passed naming the park in his honor; and
WHEREAS, A fitting memorial to Dr. Leon Kaiser, Kaiser Park is 26.26
acres dedicated to public outdoor recreation which has for 75 years,
first as Coney Island Lots and, since 1951, as Kaiser Park, brought
beauty and pleasure into the lives of Brooklyn's residents; and
WHEREAS, Located in Coney Island and bordered by Bayview Avenue and
the Gravesend Bay on the north, West 24th Street on the east, Neptune
Avenue on the south, and West 32nd Street on the west, Kaiser Park has
facilities for baseball, handball, basketball, soccer, football and
tennis as well as running tracks, dog runs, and swings; it also offers
barbecues for grilling throughout the park and proudly features, in
addition, a fishing pier with a terrific view of the Verrazano-Narrows
Bridge and, at the Gravesend Bay border of the park, one of the best
locations in Brooklyn to watch bird migrations in the spring and autumn;
and
WHEREAS, Friends of Kaiser Park, Inc. was formed in 2001 to help main-
tain and improve the park; a participating organization in the City of
New York's Partnerships for Parks Program, Friends of Kaiser Park not
only works to restore and preserve the park, it serves as the communi-
ty's guide to and enjoyment of all the park has to offer; and
WHEREAS, Friends of Kaiser Park hosts a variety of increasingly popu-
lar events which draw hundreds of visitors of all ages, including an

Easter Egg Hunt, Its My Park Day, Arts in the Park, Senior Day in Kaiser
Park, Halloween in the Park, and a holiday Tree Lighting and Caroling
party during which generously donated toys are given to Coney Island
youth; and
WHEREAS, In addition to these special events, Friends of Kaiser Park
also hosts shoreline cleanups, educational tours with the New York City
Department of Environmental Protection's Floatable Debris Vessel, a fall
cleanup, and painting, seasonal planting and other interesting events
throughout the year, all of which help make Kaiser Park a place for all
to enjoy; and
WHEREAS, In large part due to the efforts of Friends of Kaiser Park
and its dedicated members, Kaiser Park is not only vital to Mark Twain
Intermediate School, it is rapidly becoming the communal Coney Island
back yard, an accomplishment of which, along with many others, Friends
of Kaiser Park may be justly proud; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud organizations, such as Friends of Kaiser Park, which serve their
community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment
to improving the quality of life in the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Friends of Kaiser Park upon the occasion of its Awards Dinner on
May 7, 2009, noting with pride the admirable accomplishments of this
esteemed organization under the able leadership of Executive Director
Rocco J. Broscia; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Friends of Kaiser Park.