Team Humanity’s Central Park Adventure: A Tale of Tennis Balls, Torn Pants, and Togetherness

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and let me tell you about the legendary PIP (Peers in Person) event that unfolded on a brisk Sunday afternoon in Central Park, March 23, 2025. It was a day filled with laughter, a few mishaps, and the kind of camaraderie that makes life worth living.

Our crew—Jenny, Fred and his wife Rochelle, Steven, and Kane—met at the Columbus Circle entrance near 59th Street. After a quick pit stop at the park’s restroom (because, let’s face it, no adventure starts without emptying the bladders first), we found a cozy patch of grass for our first activity: Toss the Tennis Ball Near and Far.

Here’s how it worked: we paired up, each duo armed with a tennis ball. With every toss, we took a step back, increasing the distance between us. Once we were practically shouting to hear each other, we reversed course, stepping closer with each throw until we were chest to chest, laughing like kids. It was all fun and games until… riiiiiiiip!

Yes, dear reader, Steven’s pants decided they’d had enough. From waist to ankle, they split wide open, revealing his underwear (and, well, a bit more than he bargained for). It took him a moment to notice, but when he did, his face turned a shade of red that could rival a fire truck. Quick thinking led him to tie his jacket around his waist like a makeshift kilt, and he pleaded with us to escort him to the nearest mall.

Off we went, Team Humanity on a mission to save Steven’s dignity. He marched into the first store he saw—Hugo Boss, of all places—and emerged with a $200 pair of pants. “A fortune for a guy on a fixed income,” he lamented, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Later, he mused that Hugo Boss had once made uniforms for the Nazis during World War II. But hey, those pants made him look fantastic.

Back in the park, we discovered a loose fence leading to an empty ballfield. Naturally, we pulled it back and snuck in for more tennis ball shenanigans. Steven, now cautious about his new investment, opted to play photographer with his fancy camera instead. Just as we were getting into the groove, a park ranger appeared and declared, “The field is off limits to the public!” So, with heads held high, we moved on.

Our next destination was Strawberry Fields, the iconic tribute to John Lennon. But alas, the journey there wasn’t without its challenges. Jenny, feeling dizzy and unwell, needed our support. True to our Team Humanity ethos, we rallied around her, guiding her to a bench where she called an Uber back to Brooklyn. Jenny suspected an extra pill she’d taken might have been the culprit.

Finally, we reached Strawberry Fields, with its beautiful Imagine mosaic and the haunting presence of the Dakota building nearby. A lone musician strummed an acoustic guitar, filling the air with soothing, spiritual tunes. As we soaked in the moment, our conversation turned to the “Ginger Festival” in the Netherlands, where redheads from around the world gather to celebrate their fiery locks. An older Irishwoman nearby overheard and quipped, “Do I look like a redhead?!” Without missing a beat, I replied, “You might have been before your hair turned gray.” She scoffed, but we all chuckled.

Despite the torn pants, the dizzy spells, and the park ranger’s scolding, it was a day to remember. We brainstormed names for our group—Team USA? Too generic. Team Central Park? Too local. Team Mental Illness? Absolutely not. Finally, we settled on Team Humanity, because that’s what we are: a group of flawed, fabulous humans supporting each other through life’s ups and downs.

If you’d like to join us for the next PIP, give us a shout at 929-884-3564 or [email protected]. We promise laughter, a few mishaps, and a whole lot of heart. After all, that’s what Team Humanity is all about. 🌟