Friends of Hudson River Park, the primary advocacy for the Park, was founded in 1999.  Our mission is to complete this world-class park for everyone that will include expansive lawns, horticultural walkways, recreational facilities, historic landmarks, and access to one of the most important rivers in the world.  At this point, nearly $200 million is needed to complete the Park.

To achieve our mission, we lead efforts to help attain the public funding needed to complete the Park; we solicit contributions from the private sector; and we join forces with community, environmental, and other advocacy groups to ensure that the land designated as public space under the 1998 Hudson River Park Act is developed according to legislation. We also work with the Hudson River Park Trust, the City-State agency responsible for building and operating the Park.

Additionally, we lend support to those with similar commitments to preserving land for public use.  In 2006, for example, we created the Manhattan Waterfront Parks Coalition, the organization that successfully secured considerable funding for two key City projects-- the creation of Stuyvesant Cove Park and the complete restoration of Highbridge, the foot bridge connecting Manhattan to the Bronx.

During the warmer months, we offer programs and events designed to attract visitors to the Park.  We also work with community-based organizations in programs like Passport to the Hudson, a maritime education program for New York City summer day camp children that takes place aboard a riverboat replica.

As we celebrate our tenth anniversary this year, our goal is to reach out to an even broader constituency of park users, business partners, community partners, and individuals who embrace our vision of completing this park for everyone. We ask you to join our efforts, but first we invite you to discover the Park.