Riverside Park Launches Fundraiser For Areas Above 120th Street

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The Riverside Park Conservancy announced Monday that it has canceled its annual gala and is instead launching a fundraising drive to "address racial and social inequities in its 400 acres of parkland."

The Conservancy is looking to support its North Park Initiative, which focuses funding in the parts of the park that border Washington Heights and West Harlem.

"It's deeply disturbing when you can perceive real differences in conditions between the northern and southern tiers of the Park," said Dan Garodnick, President of Riverside Park Conservancy, in a news release. "This is unacceptable, and we are committed to making sure that every acre of parkland is safe, beautiful, and welcoming for every park user, now and into the future."

While it is only Riverside Park in the Conservancy's name, the group also oversees Ft. Washington Park, West Harlem Piers Park, and Sakura Park.

The Conservancy is hoping to secure 400 donors, which would be one donor for every acre of parkland under its purview.

The North Park Initiative was founded in 2009, and in 2019 secured $4.1 million of New York City funding for repaving in the park, which will include areas around 148th street.

"I applaud the Riverside Park Conservancy's decision to concentrate their efforts this year on combating the systemic inequalities that have impacted the resources, investment and conditions we see throughout this beloved public space," said Assembly Member Al Taylor, who represents Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, and Inwood, in the news release.