$250,000 NYNEX Grant Helps Open Largest Science Playground In The Western Hemisphere At New York Hall Of Science

CONTACT: Roy Cosme (212) 395-6569

$250,000 NYNEX Grant Helps Open Largest Science Playground
In The Western Hemisphere At New York Hall Of Science

NEW YORK--The largest science playground in the Western Hemisphere
with 27 colorful exhibits that make you feel the power of physics with your whole
body is one benefit of a $250,000 grant from NYNEX to the New York Hall of Science.
Over two dozen pieces of play equipment engage the senses and creativity of children
and adults through hands-on activities: kids can hang upside down on the 3-D spider
web, make water flow upwards on the Archimedes screw, compose a tune with their feet
on the soundsteps or speak into a red whisper dish and communicate with a friend
on the other side of the playground.

The new science playground is the result of months of pilot testing of exhibits,
training and evaluation covered by the NYNEX award. The 30,000 square-foot exhibition
is like an outdoor laboratory where all the experiments are performed on a variety
of play equipment such as special slides, seesaws, waterwheels and windmills. The
playground opened to the public on Saturday, June 21st; children of all ages are
welcome. The multi-year grant from the NYNEX Foundation will also support interactive
exhibits, demonstations and related events in the playground through the year 1999.

"It is extremely gratifying to watch children have fun as they learn the basic
principles of science and technology," said Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and chief
executive officer of NYNEX. "The future and success of our business will depend
on the innovative scientists of tomorrow. We are proud to continue our support of
the New York Hall of Science as a means to inspire our youth to understand the world
of science."

NYNEX has been a sponsor of the New York Hall of Science since 1985. Since then,
it has provided nearly $1 million to support various science projects and exhibits.
The funding for the playground also provides for programming, such as special weekends
like Sounds Like Fun, Here Comes the Sun and The Big Splash, planned for the summer
of 1998.

The New York Hall of Science features the largest collection of hands-on science
exhibits in New York City. It is centrally located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park,
Queens and is easily accessible by car or subway. The museum and playground are open
to the general public, Monday and Tuesday 10AM - 2PM and Wednesday - Sunday 10AM
- 5PM; admission is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children (4-15) and senior citizens.

The NYNEX Foundation administers all domestic and international philanthropic grants
on behalf of NYNEX. The Foundation's philanthropic emphasis is on providing safe
havens for youth and grants to education, arts and human services.

NYNEX and Bell Atlantic recently announced a new $50 million initiative as part of
the President's Summit for America's Future. The two companies will support multi-faceted
after-school programs that provide "safe havens" for children, during their
most vulnerable after-school hours, in thirteen North Atlantic states. Additional
information on the NYNEX Foundation is available on the Internet at www.nynexfoundation.com.

NYNEX news releases are now available on the Internet at http://www.ba.com/nr/pastnews.html.
or via fax for no charge at 1-800-331-1214.