Hudson River Park Friends Luncheon
Hudson River Park continues to be one of the most vibrant spaces in New York City.
The 550-acre riverfront park and estuarine sanctuary spans four miles along the west side of Manhattan, from the northern boundary of Battery Park City in Tribeca to West 59th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. The largest open space in Manhattan since the completion of Central Park, Hudson River Park is transforming decaying industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. I am very proud to be on the Board of Hudson River Park Friends - an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, care, and enhancement of the space, and the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust.
Not long ago, HRPF held the Playground Committee 8th Annual Luncheon to raise funds for hundreds of free public education and environmental sustainability programs, including special events for families and children, and the Park's sports courts and fields where countless children have learned to play team sports. This includes the maintenance and care of the new 4,000-square-foot Pier 26 Science Playground that opened in January. This playground advances the Park’s environmental programming and invites children to learn about local ecology and fish anatomy up-close while climbing, exploring and having fun.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Over the years, my family and I have spent lots of time at the Hudson River Park. Pier 84 is a popular pier with its spacious lawn and trees. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- This is historic Pier 57. The public rooftop, with its incredible views of Little Island and New York Harbor, opened in 2022. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- This is the southwestern tip of Manhattan. The Hudson River Park offers breathtaking panoramic views. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- Interesting and beautiful specimens are all over Hudson River Park. This is a portion of the Greenwich Village Esplanade planted with Zelcova trees, a hardwood tree in the elm family. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- This is the eastern end of Pier 45 in Greenwich Village, an 850-foot-long pier that offers shade structures and seating areas. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- The Hudson River Greenway is one of the busiest bike paths in the United States. It runs the entire length of Hudson River Park from Battery Place at the southern tip of Manhattan to midtown. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- Millenium Garden, located at Charles Street, is the home of The Apple, designed by Stephen Weiss, the late husband of world-renowned fashion designer, Donna Karan. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- And this is the new Pier 26 Science Playground which features custom-made play structures in the shape of two endangered sturgeon species native to the Hudson River — the Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- Inside each of the structures, children can explore and learn about fish “anatomy” and other local wildlife that live in the Hudson River Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- Designed by OLIN, the award-winning landscape design firm, this new playground offers children an educational and recreational space. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
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- Earlier this month, Hudson River Park Friends held an an important fundraising event to support the newest children’s space, the Park’s fifth playground at Pier 97. (Photo by Edith Ann Claudio)
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- 300-guests attended the 8th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current, a 6,000-square-foot venue at Chelsea Piers. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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- Meteorologist and TODAY Show host, Dylan Dreyer, welcomes guests to the event and talks about how much she and her young children have enjoyed the Park and all it has to offer – the sports fields and courts, the hands-on learning experiences at field trips and summer camps, and the free programs that are offered year-round. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- TODAY Show host, Hoda Kotb, shares her love of the Park and talks about her journey to motherhood. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Guests raise their glasses in support of the Park and to celebrate all it has become for New York City residents and visitors. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Entrepreneur Maria Maria Duenas Jacobs and Hoda are both honored at this year’s event. (Photo by Edith Ann Claudio)
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- The luncheon menu included burrata and heirloom beet carpaccio, Branzino Provencal, and a variety of tarts for dessert. (Photo by Edith Ann Claudio)
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- Dylan and Maria hold up stars, which were used for the event’s LIVE auction. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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- The Park’s Playground Committee made a call to action to increase its membership by 100-members. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- I encourage you to visit the next time you’re in the area – you will see why Hudson River Park is so special. (Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverPark.org)
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
