Big Changes Along The Hudson River
About twelve years ago, the Hudson Riverfront was lined with abandoned and decaying buildings. Today, where collapsing docks and industrial structures once stood, there are now more than 100 acres of lawns, trees, playgrounds, piers, and paths for the public to enjoy. Hats off to Friends of Hudson River Park for this amazing transformation, thus far. Three years ago, we at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, hosted a gala for this organization and I was actually presented with an honor. Again, we were more than happy to host this year’s gala, which was held last week and began with a cocktail reception in the park. Cocktails were served in the Lynden Miller Garden at Chelsea Cove, which opens to the public in June. It’s been so exciting to watch these great changes taking place and we continue to work hard on raising funds to complete the construction of the fabulous Hudson River Park.
1 The beautiful transformation of the Hudson Riverfront has made it much greener and very user-friendly.
2 A great lawn on the river.
3 Buckley Hall Events staff greeted guests as they arrived at the sunny cocktail reception.
4 Setting up the outdoor bar in The Hudson River Park
5 Beautiful crudite
6 Who doesn't love pigs in blankets?
7 Crispy and flavorful crabcakes
8 What a great spot for a cocktail party!
9 Guests were serenaded by Vince Giordano's Nightwalks Orchestra.
10 This is the carousel at Pier 62.
11 Carousel Works, the manufacturer, did a beautiful job creating these animals.
12 The animals of the carousel include 33 wooden figures, many native to the Hudson River Valley.
13 The attractive gardens of Hudson River Park were designed by Lynden B. Miller, a renowned public garden designer in New York City.
14 T. Fleisher, Lynden B. Miller, and Andrea Mason
15 Following the reception, guests headed across the West Side Highway to continue the event at our offices in the Starrett Lehigh building.
16 Friends of the Hudson River Park's logo greeted guests as they arrived for the dinner and program.
17 Glorious Foods catering captain briefs the wait staff on the evening's details to ensure seamless service.
18 The lovely and colorful flower arrangements were created by Robert Downs Clark Floral Design and the coral-colored linen is from Party Rental Ltd.
19 Another view
20 And another
21 A bustling makeshift kitchen area at Starrett
22 Prepping baby arugula with aged balsamic
23 Sweet and delicious fresh fruit to be served with dessert
24 Serving the first course of a vegetable timbale
25 The timbale consisted of grilled eggplant, zucchini, portobello mushroom and baked chevre with pesto along with baby arugula with aged balsamic.
26 The clerestory was set up to accommodate the 500 guests.
27 My place setting - and at my table were...
28 Vanessa Holden - Editor and Chief of MSL with Kevin Sharkey - SVP, Executive editorial director, decorating and creative director merchandising
29 Elizabeth Graves - VP, Editor in Chief, Weddings
30 Alanna Stang - Executive editor for MSL and Alex Perruzzi - VP of Licensing
31 Roasted halibut provencale with capers, lemon, and fennel served with grilled asparagus and pommes gaufrettes
32 A very attentive waitstaff
33 Here I am with Sean Driscoll founder of Glorious Foods, the caterers behind so many of New York City's events.
34 The cell phone/blackberry paparazzi
35 Here I am sitting with the the host of the evening, ABC's Deborah Roberts.
36 At the podium welcoming everyone to the event
37 Deborah is married to famous TV personality Al Roker.
38 AJ Pietrantone - Executive Director of Friends of Hudson River Park - speaking about its transformation
39 We were shown photos of some dramatic changes made to the Hudson Riverfront - here is the before...
40 And the after
41 The before
42 The after
43 The before
44 The after
45 The before
46 The after
47 The before
48 The after
49 Connie Fishman - President of Hudson River Park Trust - presenting the Public Service Award
50 Lynden Miller accepting the award
51 Here I am with Lynden Miller
52 Douglas Durst - of The Durst Organization - presenting the Friend of the Park award
53 James Robinson accepted - project manager for Skanska
54 The Honorable Gale A. Brewer District 6 - Council Member - presenting the Leadership Award
55 Ross Graham - one of Friends of Hudson River Park’s founding Directors - accepted the Leadership Award.
What a wonderful cause on raising funds for the Hudson River Park. Lovely photos, you look stunning love your outfit.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 11th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Inspiring transformation. Bravo to all concerned. It reminds me of Majorca Carter's work in the Bronx to create a greenbelt.
Posted by: Karen | May 11th, 2010 at 6:33 am
A Central Park rival now, the area is beautiful and so full of life. It's good to see good people doing good things.
Posted by: Gretchen | May 11th, 2010 at 7:20 am
How do I get invited to this event next year? The food...... so interesting..... and for real on 500 plates..... not just a photo op.... drool drool drool. I mean please pass the salt and pepper.
Posted by: Susan | May 11th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Don't forget about the riverkeepers, they helped make the Hudson a bearable place to be around.
Posted by: Margaret | May 11th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Inspiring...thanks for spreading the blessing, perhaps it will catch elsewhere...
Posted by: Cathy Buetow | May 11th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I am just trying to find out the name of the wonderful scarf company represented today on the Martha Stewart Show. Seems unduly difficult to access.
Sharon logan
Posted by: Sharon Logan | May 11th, 2010 at 11:22 am
This blog makes me feel all warm inside! The before and after photos are astounding and so are the ones on Friends of Hudson River Park site. I don’t think that group can be thanked enough for what they have done to create such a transformation. I remember certain areas of the Detroit River when I was growing up that could have used some ‘Friends’ such as these. I guess some came along later but I haven’t been back there in a long time so I can’t say what it looks like now
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If anyone can host a gala beautifully, it’s you and MSLO! Everything looked fantastic, especially the flower centerpieces and in particular picture #19. I love those colors!
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Our world is more beautiful already because of you and you are so willing to help others with their projects too. You just amaze me! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 11th, 2010 at 11:28 am
A wonderful esxample of what can be done with hard work, dedication and fundraising for a most worthwhile cause! Such a lovely destination now.
Posted by: sherey | May 11th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Martha, I saw this event in the Living magazine and knew I would be in NYC that week so I decided to attend at the last minute and there were still tickets available. I had a blast and sat one table from you. I met many new people and the lady in green jacket as part of "the cell phone/blackberry paparazzi" befriended me and I found out all about who Linda Miller was in her younger years. You were nice enough to take a picture with me, I was too shy to introduce myself, but I am glad I got a photo with you. You are even more beautiful in person. Friends of the Hudson are some really nice folks I really enjoyed the event and the park was beautiful. I'm glad I could be of help for the cause.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 11th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
That's awesome that it's been so turned around for the better! Kudos to all involved in that restoration.
Posted by: Alyzabeth | May 11th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
If you'd like to see what the piers looked like 30 years ago, go on YouTube and find the Village People's original video for YMCA - when they're dancing by the river, you'll see a crumbling pier in the background.
Posted by: GothamTomato | May 11th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
When I visisted New York the year before 911. I walked along the Hudson River. One port's building had the history of New York and the US drawing and stories. It was pretty cool. I liked the Battery Park. Hope to see Hudson River better than that.
Posted by: Anne | May 11th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
What a lovely event for such a great cause! We need more of this in cities across America. There are so many waterfront and urban areas that need revitalizing. This is great for NYC.
Posted by: bunkycooks | May 11th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Hi Martha, What a fabulous blog about the big changes along the Hudson River. These special photos certainly do show how much better everything looks today. Some day I hope to be able to visit all of New York City and the Starrett Lehigh Building. In the mean time, it's wonderful to take a 'tour' with your fantastic blog and photos! This blog reminds me of one of your older TV Shows about you and Bobby Kennedy, JR showing us the improvements of the Hudson Riverkeepers Group. Couldn't stay awake long enough to see all of yesterday's TV Show, but did see Eli and Daniel riding those super kid's bikes. Cute little guys having fun! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 11th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Martha --- Big Martha would be proud. She passed on great values to you. Your contribution to the public space around your work space is truly wonderful. To whom much is given much is expected. Your ability to balance out all your responsibilities along with doing this kind of work is inspiring. I hope that you had a great mother's day too.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 12th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Changing a river's face takes a lot of time and money. Hopefully this one is worth the effort.
Posted by: Beth | May 12th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Love the new spot with the college students, very cute!
Posted by: Marlene | May 13th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Hi Martha,
I just watched your video with the "Frat Boys" and thank you for the laughs. Anyone that can turn a frat house of horror into a house beautiful deserves saint hood. Long live Martha!
Posted by: ron ross | May 13th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
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I recall spending several days camping on the Hudson River for a gigantic music fest hosting a panoramic clean up effort.
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This 80s event was nearly as solid in people and purpose as Woodstock. Were you there?
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Posted by: Andrea Spencer | May 17th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I love all the hats. So nice to see women enjoying themselves and looking fabulous.
Posted by: Janet Ryan | May 17th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Nice to see the greener West Side. Really was a great effort! Congratulation.
Posted by: durio uno | June 13th, 2010 at 8:32 am