Each January, Hudson River Park Friends’ Playground Committee welcomes nearly 300 Park supporters to its Annual Playground Committee Luncheon. A tremendous show of support for our west side backyard, the 2020 event raised nearly $245,000 to benefit all that the Park provides to families and children, including playgrounds, sports fields, hands-on STEM programming, children’s entertainment and more.
Hosted by Comedienne and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Jenny Mollen, and honoring CEO and Founder of Rockets of Awesome, Rachel Blumenthal; Senior Vice President, Citi & Lead, Citi Volunteers, Stephanie Hochman; and Fashion Designer, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, this year’s Luncheon celebrated the growth of our Playground Committee community as we mark its fifth year — and the bright future ahead.
And there is much to celebrate. Since the HRPK Friends Playground Committee was founded, membership has increased tenfold, from 12 members to 120 (and growing!). In that time, this accomplished and dedicated group of parents have raised more than $5.5 million to ensure that our shared backyard remains a safe, clean, green and thriving space to nurture families and spark the imagination of the next generation.
Featured in People, Page Six, the Daily Mail, The Knockturnal, Guest of a Guest, Times Square Chronicles and more, the Luncheon was also attended by Eva Chen, Jenny Fleiss, Samantha Haber Wasser, Sara Haines, Leandra Medine, Nell Diamond, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jessica Wilpon Kamel, Casey Fremont, Claire Olshan and many others notable Park supporters.
This year’s Luncheon also generated support and excitement for the Pier 26 Science Play Area Capital Campaign, which supports the construction of a dynamic marine science-focused play area at HRPK’s Pier 26. You can learn more about this new initiative here.
We’re thrilled to see the Playground Committee’s continued growth. The outpouring of support from this year’s Luncheon will help ensure that Hudson River Park remains a thriving, active space where families can grow, learn, play and thrive.
Interested in getting involved? Read more about the Playground Committee and contact Adam Glick at [email protected] to learn more – and be sure to check out our Event Gallery!