A HISTORY OF FRIENDS OF HUDSON RIVER PARK
Friends of Hudson River Park is dedicated to completing, sustaining and protecting the entire Hudson River Park through advocacy, coalition building, and fundraising.
Friends’ history began in 1996 when community activists formed the Hudson River Park Alliance. In 1998 the Alliance advocated successfully for passage of the Hudson River Park Act, which created Hudson River Park, defining its land-use and authorizing $200 million in State and City funds to launch Park construction.
Friends of Hudson River Park was founded in 1999 with the support of the same coalition of major environmental, civic, and neighborhood organizations to ensure the project’s success.
Friends initially focused on monitoring Park construction; building a constituency of support for the new Park, and working to enlist prominent developers, philanthropists and waterfront advocates to its cause.
In 2002 Friends launched a long-term effort to secure additional public funds for the Park, which resulted in the 2004 authorization of $31 million from New York City for Hudson River Park. The organization’s effective advocacy set the stage for further State and City appropriations resulting in an additional $220 million in Park construction funds to date.
In 2005, following the opening of new sections of the Park in Clinton Cove and Greenwich Village, Friends initiated legal action against the NYC Department of Sanitation to remove its operations from the Gansevoort Peninsula and Pier 97 as called for in the Hudson River Park Act. A subsequent settlement set a timetable for departure and guaranteed an additional $28 million for Park construction.
During this period, the organizationbecame a strong and constant presence at local Community Board meetings, and an active participant in the communities bordering the Park, working closely with groups and individuals that share our commitment to completing and sustaining the Park and established signature programming to supplement the offerings of the Hudson River Park Trust.
Friends’ programs and events include fairs, concerts, children’s events, tours, annual races, a pet parade, and boat trips on the Hudson River.
In 2007, as the Park approached the 80% completion mark, Friends refined its focus toward securing the approximately $200 million in additional funding needed to complete the Park, as well as its long-term maintenance, so that the finished Park will always be well maintained and never allowed to fall into dangerous disrepair as other parks in New York have before.
In 2008 Friends released a study demonstrating that the Park was directly responsible for 20% of the increase in value to properties within an adjacent three blocks – confirming the Park’s value as a community investment while providing desirable waterfront access for the broader public. In 2008 the groupalso secured an agreement to end illegal tourism flights from the 30th Street heliport, improving the quality of life for Park users and the surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition to advocating for construction financing; Friends is now taking on even greater responsibility for raising funds for Hudson River Park’s daily operations and maintenance budget -- to responsibly and effectively protect the Park so it can continue to be enjoyed today, and by future generations.