From prospect Park

The Village Community Boathouse and the Prospect Park Alliance are offering free public rowing on Prospect Park Lake this summer and fall. Community rowing sessions run from 9 AM to noon on July 27, August 10 and 24, and September 7; additional dates may be added.

WHERE WE ARE BASED: Our temporary boathouse, a shipping container, is located near the Vanderbilt Playground. Boats will be launched from the ramp on Well House Drive near the south end of the lake.

WHAT WE ROW: We use a diverse fleet of traditional wooden rowing boats similar in shape and appearance to those used in the early days of park rowing. Most of the boats can accommodate one or two rowers and a passenger.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Community rowing is open to all, although some physical dexterity is required. The focus of the program is recreation in a safe and respectful environment. Each participant must sign a waiver. Life jackets are provided.

WHY WE DO IT: Rowing is a beautifully simple, healthy, and empowering sport, and the ample waters of the lake are an ideal place to pursue its pleasures. The park is surrounded by a large and diverse population that does not now enjoy direct access to on water recreation.

HOW WE FUND IT: We are a nonprofit organization entirely run by volunteers. While no commitment is required from those who row with us, our facilities, boats and equipment require regular upkeep and repair. Your participation—and monetary contributions—are vital to the health of our organization.

For more information, email us at info at villagecommunityboathouse dot org, or call Rob Buchanan at (917) 656-7285.

From C of WD

VCB volunteers and Stuyrowing rowed three gigs to Governor’s Island for MWA’s annual City of Water Day. In addition, two crews built kayaks and raced them in the cardboard kayak race. Becky Olinger, with Sally Curtis and grandson Tristan brought Cornish Pilot Gig, King Tide and Stretch Gunning Dory, Warrior over on the ferry. The cardboard kayaks designed and built by VCB volunteers did not win the race. However, it was a lovely day spent in the shade of the Sycamore trees at Colonel’s Row talking to the interested public about our boats and our program. Almost 20 VCB volunteers camped for the night on Governor’s Island. A drenching rain cooled off the crew just as tents were being set up for the night. We were a bit soggy but the cool rain was a relief after the heatwave.
Thanks to Hua Joe Fung for organizing the rowers and Becky Olinger for towing and supervising. Also thanks to Dave Clayton for making it all happen.

From clearwater 2013

VCB partnered with Urban Assembly NY Harbor School for another successful year at the Clearwater Festival June 15th and 16th. While it was quite muddy due to all the rain the week before, we had beautiful weather the whole weekend. This year VCB members Margaret Ma, Lissa Wolfe, Fabian Czerwinski, Becky Olinger and Becky’s friend Beth Heidere volunteered. Our partner, The New York Harbor School sent teachers Roy Arezzo, Ann Fraioli, Tizoc Gomez, Cate Hagarty, Luis Melendez, Rob McKlutski and students Annais Rodrigues, Katelyn Fong, Michael Salgado, Jade Gonzalez, Luis Negron, Jeffrey Yu, Dariel Diaz, Delaisi Olea and Waleska Montilla.
As we have done in the past, the VCB volunteers were responsible for getting waivers signed and PFD’s on the rowers. The students then took the new rowers out in the gigs for a 15-20 minute row in the cove. Saturday we took out 102 festival goers and Sunday another 40. It was a much calmer working waterfront this year.
At the end of the day on Saturday, the Harbor School and Rockin’ the Boat students challenged each other to a race in their respective boats. The Harbor School students won rowing the gigs and Rockin’ the Boat won rowing their boats. Nothing like a dose of healthy competition.
Saturday evening found us all at the dance tent for the volunteer party with music from Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk band. We all danced and had a great time. Sunday afternoon the students rowed the gigs over to the trailer and then loaded them onto the trailer. We packed up the gear and headed back to Pier 40. Another successful Clearwater Festival, even if we were in mud all weekend!

From clearwater 2013

By Becky Olinger

Thanks to the efforts of VCB’s Rob Buchanan, there is a new VCB boathouse in Prospect Park. The boathouse is actually a shipping container which the Parks Department requires to be painted parks department green. We almost got it right but the painting party was cut short by the rain.The plan is to fill the shipping container with our small boats and offer public and high school rowing on Prospect Park Lake, starting in mid-July. It’s a bit of a hike from the container to the launch ramp–about 200 yards–but with the right dollies it should be fairly easy to get the fleet to the water.

From PP62613

The New VCB Prospect Park Boathouse

From PP62613

Launch Ramp

From PP62613

Nachum Cohen Leads the Invasion