sports
Parents and children invited to compete together in Family Adventure Race
BY JACOB KAYE
jkaye@qns.com
@QNS
We’re still a year out from next summer’s
FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JULY 11, 2019 • THE QUEENS COURIER 59
Olympics in Japan, but families
in Queens can get in the Olympic spirit
early – and participate themselves – in
the Family Adventure Race in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park on July 13.
Hosted by the City Parks Foundation,
the Family Adventure Race is a parent
child competition that includes
a smattering of diff erent challenges all
intended to incorporate basic exercise,
sports skills and an opportunity for family
bonding.
Th e timed race includes 12 activity stations.
In order to move from one to the
next, participants must perform the exercise
or task designated for the station together.
Activities include a javelin throw, jumprope,
hurdles, a mini-climbing wall and
an all-out sprint to the fi nish line.
First race will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday,
July 13, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park,
by the Fountain of the Planets near the
Unisphere. A second race will begin at 10
a.m. and will conclude an hour later.
Awards will be given to the top three
fi nishers in each race but all participants
who fi nish the race will be awarded with
a medal.
Each team must have at least one parent
or guardian and up to two children
between the ages of 8 and 12.
Registering in advance is strongly
encouraged – and can be done so here
– but walk-up participants are also welcome.
Additional races will be held in Inwood
Hill Park in Manhattan on July 27, and
Crotona Park in the Bronx on Aug. 1o.
Flushing resident shames Queens College over rotting track
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
A Flushing resident is calling for the
resurfacing of the run-down Queens
College Outdoor Track and Field that she
says is shamefully dangerous.
Beverly Farber, 71, who visits the track
that is opened to the public, said it has
deteriorated to the point where there isn’t
one spot on a quarter-mile of the track
that doesn’t have damages to it.
Farber is insisting that Queens College,
located at 65-30 Kissena Blvd., repair the
track that is also utilized by its athletes
and Townsend Harris High School.
“At least fi ve years ago I spoke to one of
the groundkeepers about why it was in the
condition it was in, and he said it would
cost $1 million to have it redone. You
can’t run in a lane around the track without
avoiding holes,” Farber said. “Th ere is
a man on the track who is at least 92 years
old. I see him there a few times a week.
I’m almost 72 and I’m there a few days a
week and it’s not safe. I switch lanes when
it’s really bad, and I’ve been there when
Townsend Harris students are running
the track and they run in the fi rst and second
lane, which are the worst lanes.”
It’s certainly an accident waiting to
happen, according to Farber who walks
around the track for exercise in the early
morning hours.
“Th ey have to be aware of this. Th ey
have their own athletic people on the track
with students. I’ve seen there and they
have maintenance people and groundkeepers
… they’re very aware of it.”
Not only is the track in need of repair,
but also the athletic building with peeling
paint that needs to be resurfaced as well,
said Farber.
“Th ey keep the lawn in good condition
because athletes play on it, but they don’t
take care of the track,” said Farber. “Th ere
are people who bring their toddlers and
you’ll see a big disintegrated track with little
pebbles. Sometimes when I’m walking
or jogging it hits my leg because it’s on the
track. Other people who use the track have
also told me about its poor condition.”
In a statement to QNS, Queens College
said they’re encouraged by the cooperation
and support of all concerned and are
working toward the completion of a track
upgrade by the end of next summer.
“Th e college sought and obtained New
York state capital funds for upgrading
and maintaining the outdoor athletic
track,” Queens College said. “In particular,
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic has been
most helpful through her support for renovation
eff orts. Th e college is currently
working with the Dormitory Authority of
the State of New York (DASNY) to fi nalize
the grant approval process. Upon completion
of this process, the college will
conduct public solicitation for the track
replacement work, following state of New
York procurement guidelines.
“Modernizing this vital athletic facility
is an important priority of Queens
College. It is frequently utilized by the students,
faculty, staff , nearby high schools,
and made available for community use,”
the college added.
Courtesy of Beverly Farber
Photo by Alan Roche
/WWW.QNS.COM
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