In This Issue...

• Mad. Sq. Award Breakfast was a Success!

First Annual Play for the Park!  was a Hit!

Park Improvements

Mad. Sq. Award Breakfast was a Success!

Sy Sternberg accepting Mad. Sq. Award

Third Annual Mad. Sq. Award Breakfast Raises more than $206,000 for the Park

 

On Wednesday, January 30, the Madison Square Park Conservancy celebrated the third annual Mad. Sq. Award Breakfast by honoring Sy Sternberg, Chairman and CEO of New York Life Insurance Company. The Mad. Sq. Award is given once a year to an individual or company that has had a tremendous impact on the revitalization of Madison Square Park over the past decade. A full house of 125 park friends, real estate owners and managers, contractors and corporate neighbors attended the breakfast at Eleven Madison Park restaurant. 

 

Event Co-Chair Andrew Federbusch, Managing Director of Credit Suisse and Conservancy Trustee, welcomed the group.  Then Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe lauded the support of New York Life in restoring and maintaining the park.  He presented Mr. Sternberg with a plaque joined by Mr. Federbusch, Event Co-Chairs Anthony Carvette and Bill Potts and Conservancy President Debbie Landau.

Mr. Sternberg then spoke of the vision for a new Madison Square Park presented to him over a decade ago. Mr. Sternberg has been an integral part of the change and expressed his gratitude that this vision has become a reality and the park an oasis.  He pledged his continuing support for the park.

 

The Breakfast raised a record $206,500 to benefit Madison Square Park Conservancy’s programs and operations. Special thanks to New York Life Insurance Company, Sy Sternberg, Andrew Federbusch, Tony Carvette, Bill Potts, Christ Park, Sheila Davidson, the Union Square Hospitality Group and all those who supported this year’s Mad. Sq. Award Breakfast.

First Annual Play for the Park! was a Hit!

AudraRox!

The Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first family fundraiser at apple seeds on Sunday, January 27, raised nearly $25,000. About 300 people enjoyed a preview of the baby food line under development by Country’s esteemed Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, unique and plentiful cupcakes/brownies/cookie treats from Eleni’s Cookies, face painting, balloon animals, live entertainment and the ever popular apple seeds indoor playground. The funds will help support Mad. Sq. Kids free programs, including the summer concert series, playground activities, playground improvements and educational activities.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who donated

Eleni's treats

their time,
energy and services to help make this a successful event: apple seeds, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Country Restaurant, Eleni’s, Hill Country, AudraRox, Erin Lee & Marci, Mr. RAY, Paul Helou, Ohm Spa, subtletea, Vital Children’s Theater, Bella Napoli, Romy Conway, Shawn “Skats” Glancy, Deven Sisler, Chrisandra Faces and our dedicated, enthusiastic Benefit Committee Members - Kim Arandia, Melissa Berger, Eleni Gianopolus, Kristen Glosserman, Jaime Kobin, Betsey McCall, Allison Schlanger, Alison Qualter Berna and Margaret Zakarian. Thank you all!

We hope to see you next year at the 2009 Play for the Park!

Park Improvements

New gravel in Jemmy's Run

More Improvements at the Dog Run!

Last week Jemmy’s Run supported the installation of fresh gravel in the favorite area in the parks for dogs and their human companions.  With the Conservancy's recent addition of new drainage, the dog run is looking good.  In 2008, we will see further improvements.

People enjoying outdoor heaters at Shake Shack

Winter Heat at the Shack

Outdoor dining in February? Why not, now that we have heaters in the Shake Shack’s seating area? You’ll also enjoy the heaters over the order windows as you place and wait for your burger and fries.

People are getting used to the Shack as a winter destination. Tables are busy at lunch and dinner. The Madison Square Park Conservancy loves seeing the park busy at a time of year when we are usually so quiet. Why not stop by for lunch soon? Remember, if you don’t want to test the winter weather, you can place a pick-up order by phone at (212) 889-6600.

Arborist pruning tree

Arborists

In the last week of January, Madison Square Park’s trees enjoyed the attention of our arborist William Bryant Logan. Logan, author of Oak: The Frame of Civilization (Norton 2005) operates the Urban Arborist, a company that has been caring for the trees for the last year. Visitors to the park last week saw Logan’s crew high in the trees, pruning and shaping the over-story during the dormant period.

The Conservancy is committed to the long-term health of our urban forest through pruning and feeding trees. In 2008, we even expect to plant some new trees. Logan will also create a survey of every tree in the park in which we will track all tree care. So when you are in the park—look up. You’ll see healthy trees resting in wait of spring.