In a brilliant partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, NBC has launched a promotion for in anticipation of the premiere of its new superhero show, The Cape, this weekend. Landmark statues all over the city have been adorned with capes and plaques that highlight what characteristics each of those heroes of history past has in common with the show’s central character.

Look for The Cape treatment on George Washington in Union Square Park and William Shakespeare in Central Park for starters. Spotting these capes is part of a NBC giveaway contest using Foursquare and Twitter. Director of Public Information for NYC Parks & Rec, Vickie Karp, hope that the promotion will aid in the awareness of the city’s collection of public art:

“This sponsorship will benefit the preservation of New York’s collection of public art in the parks while drawing new audiences to them. The new NBC series is a novel way to remind even the most jaded New Yorker that heroes are all around us.”

If you have an iPad, NBC has a treat for you! You can actually watch the pilot episode right now, days before it premieres on Sunday. iPad users can preview the pilot with DC’s free app. NBC Marketing President Adam Stotsky talks about the network’s partnership with DC Comics:

“We wanted to offer viewers a chance to take an advance peek at our exciting new series and what better partner than DC Comics, whose audience is devoted to the comic book genre from which The Cape, draws its inspiration.”

The two-hour premiere episode of The Cape airs on NBC on this Sunday, January 9th. The show then shifts to the time-slot right after Chuck on Monday nights beginning January 17, 2011.

Learn more about Vince Faraday (David Lyons) and The Cape here.

[Source] THR, DigitalSpy