More than 500 youngsters, ages six to 16, from the Police Athletic League Play Streets and Day Camps throughout Brooklyn gathered for PAL’s Brooklyn Borough Celebration Day at Parade Ground Park.
The festivities offered children the opportunity to come together to celebrate summer and participate in a variety of activities, including Double-Dutch, tug-of-war, carnival games, Nok Hockey, inflatable obstacle courses, jumbo-sized board games, face painting and basketball.
“My favorite part of today was getting my face painted,” said Shyann, seven, from Flatbush. “My Play Street counselor painted a dog on my face, because they are my favorite animal.”
PAL staff, along with members of NYPD’s PAL Liaison Unit, participated in challenges among the different Brooklyn Play Streets. The groups enjoyed a limbo challenge, tug-of-war competitions and showcased their dancing skills to summertime’s favorite songs. The Play Streets’ banners reflected this summer’s theme, “PAL African Adventure.”
“My favorite part of coming to PAL’s Play Street is getting the chance to make new friends in my neighborhood and meet the counselors. We had so much fun all summer, playing games, having water balloon competitions, and learning about Africa,” said seven-year-old, Amorrie, from the Prospect Park section of Brooklyn.
The New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force also provided a portable rock climbing wall, which was a popular activity among the participants.
Kaila, 10, from Prospect Park, who patiently waited in line for her turn said, “I can’t wait to go rock climbing. I’ve been excited about it all week, because it looks like so much fun.”The New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force also handed out drug prevention information.
Brooklyn Borough Celebration Day was part of PAL’s week-long, city-wide celebrations, which gave thousands of youngsters from PAL Play Streets and Day Camps throughout the five boroughs the opportunity to celebrate summer at playgrounds and parks throughout New York City.
For more, visit www.palnyc.org.