Northern Manhattan?EUR??,,????'???s Fort Tryon Park and
Heather Garden Endowment Tops $1 Million
Heather Garden Endowment Tops $1 Million
Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. John D. Rockefeller bought the northern Manhattan land in 1909 and gave it to the city in 1930. The park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the co-designer of Central and Prospect Parks, opened in 1935.
New York City Parks and Recreation announced March 4, 2004 the endowment for Fort Tryon Park and the Heather Garden has topped $1 million, thanks to donations by individuals from across the city, private foundations, and an intensive neighborhood fundraising effort in Washington Heights. Since last May, a volunteer committee has raised over $300,000 to meet a $225,000 challenge grant from a foundation donor.
?EUR??,,????'??Thanks to its supporters and volunteers, the Heather Garden has changed from an overgrown, neglected site to one of the most beautiful public gardens on the East Coast,?EUR??,,????'?? said Adrian Benepe, commissioner of NYC Parks and Recreation. Benepe called the transformation of the Heather Garden a testament to how private funding can help revitalize public spaces.
Located at one of the highest points in Manhattan and overlooking the Hudson River, Heather Garden and Fort Tryon Park were donated to the city by John D. Rockefeller. The park, which opened in 1935, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the co-designer of Central and Prospect Parks. It boasted stunning landscapes and spectacular vistas.
The view from Fort Tryon Park offers the Hudson River, the Palisades, and the lowlands of Inwood. At the southern entrance to the park are the stone ramparts of old Fort Tryon, built in the summer of 1776.
Edith Kean, co-chairperson of the fundraising committee praised the creative efforts of the committee and support for the project from New Yorkers citywide.
?EUR??,,????'??There is still a lot of work to be done, but northern Manhattan has now become one of the most beautiful and attractive neighborhoods in New York,?EUR??,,????'?? said Guillermo Linares, a former council member.
The fundraising committee has a $5 million goal. Its members include Edith Kean and Joseph Pierson, co-chairpersons; Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a 40-year neighborhood resident; Jeff Bauml and David Gmach representing ConEdison; former local council members Guillermo Linares and Stanley E. Michels; and Pierre de Vegh, Gretchen Elkus, Tom Kissinger, Mike Klein, Nancy Mortimer, Nicholas Quennell, and Jessica Tcherepnine.
The committee has organized fundraisers and community events, and made personal appeals to build an endowment for historic Fort Tryon Park, the pride of the Washington Heights community.
Heather Garden sports over 100 different annuals, including heaths, hellebores, crocuses, daffodils, azaleas, peonies, and pansies, which bloom waves of colors in the spring For more information, go to www.nyc.gov/parks
