park

Caring for Our Trees

In early 2020, SPNA reached out to Bartlett Tree Experts to conduct an assessment of the trees’ needs in Stuyvesant Square Park in order to maintain their health and beauty. Eric Anderson of Bartlett Tree Experts then submitted a three phase plan to SPNA.

Phase One of the plan, which centered on providing key maintenance for the park’s two 100+ year-old heritage elm trees, was executed in January 2021. Thanks to the generosity of our community, which participated in a matching grant provided by Partnership for Parks, we were able to raise the $6,200 needed for Phase One of Bartlett’s plan.

With a $9,300 grant from the Greenacre Foundation, SPNA was able to cover the costs of Phase Two, which entailed pruning trees that cast a heavy shadow over flower beds, preventing the beds surrounding the fountains from receiving sufficient light and air for the plants to grow. This work was accomplished across three days in November. The photos above and below depict work from this phase.

SPNA is very appreciative of Partnership for Parks, of the grant from the Greenacre Foundation, of the work of Eric Anderson from Bartlett Tree Experts, and of the support of the Stuyvesant Square community in our continuing efforts to protect the many beautiful trees in our park.

SPNA’s Annual Fundraising Gala

After a uniquely challenging year, SPNA was once again able to host our Annual Fundraising Gala. On October 7th, SPNA and its supporters came together for an evening of music, food, drink, and good company at St. George’s Episcopal Chapel. We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended the event and contributed to making it such a success. Included in this section are some photos from the evening, taken by Tiffany Oelfke of Luciebelle photography. In addition, a separate newsletter will be sent out to officially commemorate the Gala.

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The evening began with live music and remarks from SPNA President Jason Money

Our silent auction consisted of a variety of items including wine, a pet photo shoot, and artwork by Rosalee Isaly, some of which are shown in the photos below.

Former SPNA Vice President Miriam Dasic was given special recognition for her hard, longstanding work with SPNA as she moves on to a new chapter in Connecticut

Remarks were also given by Reverend Smith of St. George’s Episcopal Church, the honoree of this year’s gala

Guests socialized and enjoyed festive food and drink

Below is New York City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera with
SPNA Vice President and Chairperson of the Gala, Grace Iannuzzi

 

We thank the Gala Planning Committee for their devotion to making the event a huge success

Pictured below from left to right:
Back – Adam Boornazian, Kim Isaly, Julie Block, Doris Dieter, Jan Armstrong,
Toni Boornazian, Jeff Fagan
Middle – Grace Iannuzzi, Phyllis Mangels

SPNA is especially grateful to everyone at St. George’s Episcopal Church for all their help and for providing such a beautiful venue to hold this long-awaited event for all of us to come together.

Looking Back at Summer Events

Yoga with James Harper of Now Yoga

SPNA was extremely fortunate to bring back a season of our annual summer events after the hiatus brought on by the pandemic. Each summer SPNA plans, produces, and pays for a variety of outdoor events inStuyvesant Square Park. From May through August, our park was home to yoga, meditation, and various concerts, including a special performance by The Richard Cortez Band in celebration of Pride Month. When Broadway was dark, our park hosted a performance in tribute to Broadway by The Kidwell Sisters. When concerts and other musical venues remained closed, SPNA brought the music to the park with additional concerts celebrating jazz, bossa nova, and Afro-Latin music. Our goal was to add vibrancy to our park and build community safely through our shared love for art, music, and life at a time when so many of us face unique challenges.

Jazz with Alex Nguyen and friends

We are extremely appreciative of everyone who donated to our summer events campaign, which makes all this work possible. We are especially grateful to James Harper of Now Yoga and Liza Meneades for donating their time and providing yoga and meditation to our community for free. We look forward to providing more events for us all to enjoy in the coming months and are honored to serve our community.

 

In June, SPNA celebrated Pride and paid tribute to Broadway with two concerts.

The Richard Cortez Band brought spirited jazz to the park on June 6, and The Kidwell Sisters dazzled with their vocals and charismatic energy on June 27. See a clip of The Kidwell Sisters performing here.