Cohen Park to offer storytelling program

Real Estate Weekly, August 14, 2002

The Cohen Park Forest Pixie Children's Storyteller entertained a group of children on July 16 in the mini-park located at 121 East 57th St. (between Lexington and Park Avenues). This special event is the first in a series of storytelling sessions to become a regular feature of the park in the fall.

The children attending the special reading on July 16 were from Alma's Little Astronauts Day Care Center in Manhattan and range in age from 2 1/2 to 4 years.

Children and adults will be astonished by the Forest Pixie plant life unseen in any other New York City park. This 10-foot tall rustling bouquet of woodland greenery moves and speaks! Living within its foliage is the Cohen Park Forest Pixie. The Forest Pixie will become part of Charles Cohen's on-going effort to inspire children to read by offering storytelling in the

Cohen Park for local school children on a regular basis. Through his own love of reading, Cohen has learned that you can be richly rewarded with the knowledge you acquire. Cohen sees the Cohen Park Forest Pixie as a link to learning.

Cohen Park offers office workers and residents in the midtown area an outdoor option rarely seen, as there are few places to sit quietly and enjoy some greenery. Many neighborhoods in Manhattan are park poor other than Central Park and Riverside Park, which are not always convenient if you work in midtown. Outdoor amenities are an important part of many of Cohen's real estate holdings where possible.

Local schools will be sent scheduling information on the Forest Pixie and can schedule class trips to visit with the Forest Pixie in the fall through Cohen's office. Each child who comes to Cohen Park to hear the :Forest Pixie will be given a special bookmark. Children must be accompanied by their teachers or an adult when they meet the Forest Pixie. The Forest Pixie will read the children a special book giving them time to ask questions before they return to school.

The Pixie character was created and designed by Pastiche Inc., the New York theatrical production company, in collaboration with Parsons-Meares, Ltd., who have created costumes for Broadway shows including Phantom of the Opera, 42nd Street, Cats, and The Lion King.

To schedule a visit with the Cohen Park Forest Pixie call (212) 838-1800 and ask to be included on the mailing list.