42 JULY 14 - JULY 20, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
FIAO holds ninth annual golf tournament
BY JONATHAN SPERLING
EDITORIALBROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
The Federation of Italian-American
Organizations of Brooklyn
hosted its ninth annual Golf
Tournament on Monday, June 26,
launching a day-long fundraiser to
benefi t FIAO’s wide array of programs.
Approximately 75 golfers showed
up to the event, which took place at
Dyker Beach Golf Course. Attendees
started by registering and having
breakfast at around 7 a.m., with tee
o happening at around 8 a.m. A er
18 holes of play, the golfers enjoyed a
1:30 p.m. brunch.
“Any money we raise is extremely
vital and important,” said FIAO
Brooklyn President Jack Spatola,
who went on to mention
that the fundraiser would benefi t Il
Centro, an Italian-American community
center located at 8711 18th Avenue
in Bath Beach that is set to open in the
fall.
The fundraiser also serves to benefi
t FIAO’s Columbus Day Parade in
October, as well as the organization’s
youth soccer league and community
improvement initiatives, such as park
cleanups and gra ti removal.
According to Spatola, the organization
typically raises around $25,000 at
each golf outing.
“We would love to have even greater
participation next year,” said Spatola
“If we go over 100 golfers and have
more sponsored holes, it’ll bring
even greater fundraising as
we transition into opening
up the center.”
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Arthur de Gaeta
Nick Sterlacci and Lee Stern, low score winners. Sterlacci also
won for longest drive.
18th Avenue Park renovations
completed with new restroom area
BY JONATHAN SPERLING
EDITORIALBROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
Renovations on a beloved park
located on the border of Bensonhurst
and Boro Park were
o cially completed on Monday, July
3, as Councilmember David Greenfi
eld announced the conclusion of
$7.5 million in improvements.
Gravesend Park (located on 18th
Avenue between 55th and 58th
Streets), better known as 18th Avenue
Park, now features a brand-new
restroom area, capping o a multitude
of improvements that have
been in the works since ground was
broken in May, 2015.
“I spent years playing at this park
when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I
spent much of my time waiting for
the play equipment to be available
because the park was so poorly
designed,” Greenfi eld said. “Now it’s
one of the most amazing parks in New
York City, and it’s been completely
renovated right in time for summer."
Prior to renovations, the park
attracted crime, drug activity
and homelessness. As this paper
reported last year, several new
playgrounds constructed at the
park were opened to the public following
a ribbon-cutting ceremony
in August 2016.
Also included in the renovations
is new landscaping, hundreds of
new trees, improved lighting and
50 new benches. New handball
courts, basketball courts, baseball
fi elds and play equipment were also
constructed.
Jerry Balistreri won for closest to the pin.
Linda Cavalcante of Investors Bank accepts bike for a friend
who won.
Photo courtesy of Councilmember
David Green eld
Councilmember David Green eld at the newly renovated
Gravesend Park, aka 18th Avenue Park.