What drives you to be involved with Hudson River Park?
HRPK has been a part of my life for the ten years I’ve lived in New York City. Whether I was commuting to work, out for a run or picnicking with friends on a hot summer day, the Park has always been my outdoor outlet in NYC. I took the Park for granted my initial years in NYC, until I learned through a HRPK Board Member that 90% of the Park’s budget comes from private donations. My drive to be involved with HRPK is to give back some of my resources to a park that has given me so much and also to help create opportunities for individuals who are unsure of how they themselves can support the Park.
Have you had a chance to volunteer at Hudson River Park, and if so what was your experience like?
I’ve volunteered numerous times on Green Teams and encourage everyone to carve out a few hours at least once a year to volunteer. It’s a fantastic way to directly support the Park and to have an opportunity to see the amount of work that goes into maintaining every square inch of the Park. The staff do a truly unbelievable job, but the work volunteers do is an integral part as well. I’ve also had the chance to bring a team from work out to do a volunteer day on a perfect spring day, and the camaraderie and team building was a highlight of our year.
What aspect of working with HRPK Friends on the Business Council is the most rewarding for you?
Seeing a group of people take time out of their busy schedules to come together to learn about the Park has been really rewarding. From learning about the river ecology at the Pier 57 Science Classroom, to talks on Sustainable Design and Infrastructure, there is so much to learn about the Park and the goings on in the Park both past and present. There is a lot of history already written about the Park, but it’s rewarding to know that the Business Council will play a part in what future historians will write about the Park.