New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has been remeasuring every park in their entire system. They have surveyed the smallest, South Oxford Park in Brooklyn to the largest Pelham Bay Park in The Bronx. Officials are using new mapping software and satellite technology systems, which is is a new method of updating city records dating as far back as the 19th century.

The good news is also bad news, but the best news is that The Bronx is number one. There are other winners and unfortunately some losers. In Manhattan, Fort Washington Park is 24 acres larger, but East River Park lost 11 acres, and Thomas Paine Park downtown lost 0.049 acres.

The Bronx's Soundview Park, where the Bronx River meets the East River, grew by 63 acres. But all of Soundview’s new territory is underwater the parks department owns out to the pier-head line, a federal delineation.

Over all, the department has picked up acres, on paper at least, and the new total, when completed, should push park acreage over 30,000 for the first time.

The biggest loser was clearly Flushing Meadows. Previously the third-largest park in the city, it dropped to fourth place after the new analysis put its actual acreage at 897 (897.62 to be precise), down from 1,255 acres. The park, the site of two World’s Fairs and now the subject of a furious debate over whether part of it should be devoted to a new soccer stadium, essentially switched places with Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, with 1,146 acres.

The largest park in the system is still Pelham Bay 2,772, an increase of 7, followed by the Staten Island Greenbelt, a 2,800-acre expanse of contiguous park-lands that includes 2,316 acres that the parks department controls. Central Park remains in fifth place, with 843 acres.

To the Park department’s relief, most revisions involved under-counting. But not so at Flushing Meadows, where, in addition to the stadium proposal, there are also plans to expand the United States Tennis Center. The official paper record for the park, called a property card, was last modified in 1980, when the size was recorded as 1,255 acres. That was a slight revision from the 1950s, when the park’s size was listed as 1,257 acres. Most puzzling was the acreage given on the original title document from July 1936: 1,031 acres.

The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season starts today and federal officials are warning that the potential for full-blown disaster remains high.

Officials at the National Hurricane Center, urge US residents to prepare while there is time and the weather is still good. They urge residents not to get complacent.

All signs point to a busy season and officials don't know where the storms are going to go, But suggest everyone prepares as though a hurricane will hit your area.

Federal sequestration won't help the nation's preparation efforts, since budget cuts will require that about 60 National Hurricane Center employees take four furlough days through the end of September. Forecasters at local weather offices nationwide, all under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also will have to take furlough days.

NOAA is predicting an extremely active season with 13 to 20 named storms, including seven to 11 hurricanes.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane.

Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF) or follow the links for more information. But remember, this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Two NYC Parks Department supervisors have been suspended following allegations of sexual harassment of female subordinates.

Parks Commissioner Veronica White told a City Council hearing the two accused supervisors would be suspended without pay.

Following several attempts for an official comment, NYC Parks issued the following statement to City Island Images.

From the US Army General to the US Intelligence Chief to Wall Street Executive.

David Petraeus has taken a new job with investment giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. to rebuild his reputation following an extramarital affair that brought about his resignation as CIA directorl.

The 60 year old retired US official will serve as chairman of KKR Global Institute. He was CIA director from September 2011 until last November. Before that, Petraeus served more than 37 years in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of four-star general.