A Horse at The Library

By Dan Guarino

Does he even have a library card? On Tuesday, April 28, the Seaside Library hosted two very special visitors. Under the spreading cherry blossoms outside the library, some 25 to 30 children and adults plus library staff were delighted to greet Samson the horse and Officer Eric of the United States Park Police (USPP) Horse Mounted Patrol, based at Fort Tilden.

The visit was part of the variety of activities the Seaside branch, under Manager Jay Della Cruz, hosts to bring innovative programming and provide strong community engagement for both adults and children.

Tuesday’s event was arranged by Seaside’s Early Learning Specialist/ Teacher Sophia Skeans, who regularly conducts interactive programs, which include artwork, storybook readings and more, as part of the children’s library area. The mounted police visit was part of the weekly Tuesday arts program.

It included read-a-louds, basic sketching and coloring activities connecting to the horse. A library staffer noted, “This offered kids, families an opportunity to experience programming that enriched their artistic activities. It also provided awareness of community relations with the Unit stationed at Fort Tilden, right here on the Rockaway peninsula.

“Several families and children were not aware that they could visit the horses at (the Fort). They were delighted the officer and horse visited the library.”

A few of the excited comments heard were, “Wow, this is cool!” and “This is amazing.” Many children, along with their parents, were delighted to reach up and pet Samson. Others were content to stand a little further back, but still enjoy the company of the large animal with its crisp uniformed officer rider, in this real-life learning experience.

Mentioned at the library was that the large, solidly built equine officer Samson, who like his namesake now has shorter cropped hair, was originally acquired from an Amish farm.

Horses of the USPP Mounted Unit can been seen regularly in the open corrals at the western entrance to Fort Tilden, near the FDNY Engine 329 firehouse on Beach 169th Street. All are free to stop and visit and/or photograph these impressive animals.

The Unit has been stationed at Fort Tilden nearly continuously since 1978. The U.S. Park Police is the oldest federal uniformed law enforcement agency in the country. Now part of NPS, it was first established in 1791, under President George Washington. Formally organized in 1934, its Horse Mounted Patrol is one of the oldest equestrian units in the country. NPS notes, locally it “provides patrol coverage in both the Staten Island Unit and Brooklyn-Queens District. Horse mounted patrols are also utilized for festivals and special events. The Unit also marches in many local parades.”  They are regulars at Rockaway’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade. They may also be seen patrolling on or near the beaches and throughout the National Park areas of Fort Tilden and Riis Park. Their mounted mobility allows them to be swift responders to situations even with difficult or less accessible terrain.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has called them, “ambassadors for safety.” As witnessed by those who attended the Seaside Library’s visit by Samson and Officer Eric, they are also a most welcome part of community outreach, providing up close education, excitement and opening a door to something to explore right here in Rockaway.

Among many other ongoing programs, Seaside will also be hosting a series concerts every Saturday from May 9-June 27, at 2 p.m. Starting with a Tribute to Carole King and James Taylor this Saturday, featuring music from ‘80’s soul to Broadway to Disco divas and more.

On Tuesday, May 19, Magician Eric Q will delight adults and kids with captivating interactive illusions and playful storytelling from 4-5 p.m.

For more information go to www.queenslibrary.org or call the Seaside Library, located at 116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd., at 718-634-1876.