On Thursday, April 26th, Borough President James S. Oddo attended the groundbreaking for the reconstruction of the cross-country running trail at Clove Lakes Park with NYC Parks Staten Island Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone and Assemblyman Michael Cusick.
 
The reconstruction for the state-of-the-art trail will include improvements to drainage, improvements to surface material and edging. Additions also include distance markers as well as a new start/finish line.
 
“We want Staten Islanders to have top of the line amenities, and that is what they will get with the reconstruction of these trails,” said BP Oddo. “The running community in this borough is active, engaged, and an integral part of Staten Island. When this work is completed, I hope to see Islanders of all ages taking advantage of this remarkable corner of Staten Island.”
 
The $1.9 million project was funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio and BP Oddo, with $1.5 million of the funding coming from BP Oddo’s FY 2015 capital budget. The project is expected to be completed in March 2020. 

On Thursday, June 22nd, BP Oddo invited the Farrell and Petrides Baseball Teams and the Wagner Softball Team to Borough Hall to congratulate the players and coaches on winning their respective championships.

Msgr. Farrell High School had an undefeated regular season (18-0), winning two championships in the past three years. The Petrides School won their school’s first baseball championship after an undefeated season (20-0). Susan Wagner High School also won their school’s first softball title, with a season record of 20-6.

“Whether you’re learning the importance of chemistry or the importance of leadership, the things you learn on and off the field will help you later in life,” BP Oddo told the students. “You all should be proud of your accomplishments.”

After chatting with the teams and showing them around Borough Hall, BP Oddo faced off against the players in a quick wiffleball game. 

On Wednesday, June 21st, BP Oddo joined with representatives of the Department of Education, as well as Borough Student Advisory Council (BSAC) student representatives, to announce the allocation of $21,189,000 in capital funding for educational purposes in Fiscal Year 18.

The students—who represented CSI High School for International Studies, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, New Dorp High School, Susan Wagner High School and Tottenville High School—were invited back to Borough Hall to see firsthand how their voices can make a difference. At the end of April, these same representatives brought their school’s concerns to the BP in hopes that he would listen and take their ideas into consideration when allocating taxpayer money the following year. BP Oddo did just that, and their proposals represent five of the projects put forward in the allocated budget for educational funding.

The projects that were funded from the BSAC meeting were as follows:

• New Dorp High School - Field Lights - $1,500,000
• CSI High School for International Studies - New Track - $100,000
• Tottenville High School - Track - $250,000
• Susan Wagner High School - Wiring for air conditioning - $600,000
• Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School - Upgrade girls locker room - $250,000

“If you look at any of the challenges we have as a community on Staten Island, across the city, or across the country, the solution and the way to improve those things is investing in young people, making them the best they can be and giving them the tools they need to succeed,” BP Oddo told the students. “Thus, when we have the opportunity to give out taxpayer money to a certain project, we have put an emphasis on educational problems. I hope you, as students, realize you do in fact have a say in what happens in your community.”

“It means so much to know that there are people listening to us. We want to leave a legacy. Knowing that future students are going to enjoy field lights because of this opportunity you gave us is such an amazing feeling,” said a New Dorp High School student.

This year’s funding represents a portion of the $51,928,000 of taxpayer money that BP Oddo has allocated for education since taking office in 2014.

See below for all of this year's educational funding allocations:

On Wednesday, June 7th, BP Oddo joined with members of the community at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex to launch the Staten Island Child Wellness Initiative (CWI). This coalition was created through help of the community along with the partnership of the Borough President James Oddo and the Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness (SIPCW).
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The idea for CWI was generated from a series of meetings of BP Oddo’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council, in which participants engaged in spirited discussions about how they could have the greatest impact on Staten Island’s health needs, particularly those of young people.

The CWI was created in order to increase the opportunities for healthy living for children and families and to reduce childhood obesity. The aim is to provide accessible options for active living as well as availability of fresh and healthy food, aiming to bring 80 percent of children below high school age to a healthy weight.

An assortment of speakers at the ceremony discussed the issue of childhood obesity, including Deputy Mayor Dr. Herminia Palacio.

“It is clear to see that childhood obesity is a real problem that must be addressed to prevent a lifetime of illness,” said Borough President Oddo. “We are getting to the heart of the matter by addressing child wellness and child health.” 

Adrienne Abbate, Executive Director of the SIPCW, noted the importance of the community member engagement, saying, “By working together with partners across Staten Island to address this urgent issue, we can shape a healthy future for our children, and reverse the rising rates of obesity in our borough. Although this is a borough-wide initiative, the CWI will use data to target communities and neighborhoods that have higher need and poorer health outcomes.”

The CWI’s progress will be measured by changes in BMI over time in Staten Island children

​On Friday, May 5th, BP Oddo welcomed the Staten Island Academy Girls Basketball Team and the Monsignor Farrell Varsity, JV and Freshman Basketball Teams to Borough Hall to congratulate them on winning their respective championships this year. Members of both teams recounted their winning seasons and asked BP Oddo questions about quality of life issues on Staten Island.

After talking to the students, BP Oddo challenged them to a free throw contest, using a mini-basketball hoop he had put up for the occasion. At the meeting, BP Oddo presented both teams with proclamations acknowledging their leadership on and off the court.

“You are a great group of young women and men, and you make us so proud,” noted BP Oddo.
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Senator Andrew Lanza, Assembly Member Michael Cusick and District Attorney Michael McMahon joined BP Oddo in congratulating the teams.

​On Wednesday, July 13th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Steven Matteo and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce that the funding for renovations to MacArthur Park at the Berry Houses has been finalized. The $9.3 million dollar project will fix existing drainage issues on the field, add a new synthetic turf to expand the field’s usage and renovate the basketball courts.

During his time as a Council Member, BP Oddo allocated funds to rehabilitate the fields. However, after 9/11, the funding was moved to other projects. After many years, BP Oddo was able to work with Council Member Matteo to cobble together funds from the City and FEMA to make the project a reality.

“‘The Berry’s’ are an institution in this borough and generations of Islanders have played there,” noted BP Oddo. “These upgrades have been long overdue, and we are excited to share this news. When this project is complete, scores of our fellow residents will create new memories, learn more life lessons, exercise and enjoy themselves at a new and improved Berry’s.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2018.