By David Greene   Nearly 150 people of all ages, races and backgrounds gathered at Shoelace Park at E. 219 Street and the Bronx River, to participate in the 9th Annual Amazing Bronx River Flotilla on Saturday, May 10. The event, sponsored by the Bronx River Alliance (BRA) in conjunction with the Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC), kicked off with Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe, who joined Assemblyman Jeffry Dinowitz,  Councilman Oliver Koppell and dozens of others as they journeyed down five miles of the Bronx River. The kickoff to the paddle season began when greeted by Mike Mendez and Donovan Goulgourne of BRA, who assisted many in getting their rowboats furnished by BRA. Additional boats were provided by the Urban Park Rangers, The Point and MPC. Members of Rockin' The Boat were on hand to offer short boat rides from the flotilla's end at Riverside Park in Hunts Point. To get past a dam, just north of E. 180 Street, BRA members assisted boaters carrying their boats over some rocks, before continuing on the rest of the journey to Hunts Point. Riverdale resident Jacqueline Taylor said after her journey, "I wasn't sure what to expect at first, I just wanted the experience and I love the water. At first I was so scared but after awhile it was very relaxing, and I like the fact that everyone works together." Taylor, who was joined by her two young daughters added, "They loved it, it was wonderful." Benepe told participants, "After decades of neglect, the river is now well on its way back to ecological health, thanks to the joint stewardship of the Parks Department, the Bronx River Alliance and partner community groups whose conservation efforts have made the river not only clean enough for us to paddle today, but also cleaner for plants and animals."   For more information on upcoming sailing events along the Bronx River, log onto BRA's website at: www.bronxriveralliance.orghttp://www.bronxriveralliance.org/shapeimage_5_link_0

TURN HERE!... Volunteers prevented any daredevils from going over the damn north of E. 180 Street. 

Gathered for a picnic at Riverside Park are (l-r): Bronx Parks Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte, Councilman Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a representative from CENYC's office of Recycling Outreach and Education, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis and NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.      --Photo courtesy of the NYC Parks Department