The Playground Partners of the Women’s Committee of the
Central Park Conservancy held their Annual Playground Party in Heckscher Playground in the middle of beautiful Central Park. It was a fun, family-friendly afternoon where the spirits were as high as the temperature.
Over 1,000 children, moms, dads and grandparents enjoyed the afternoon. The list included: Kamie Lightburn, Chairman of Playground Partners, Gillian Miniter, President of the Women’s Committee, Doug Blonsky, President of the Central Park Conservancy, Nancy Missett, Nancy Paduano, Betsy Messerschmitt, Eleanora Kennedy, Emilia Fanjul Pfeiffer, Michelle Smith and Andy Oshrin, Sheri Babbio, Cristina Greeven Cuomo, Kate Allen, Andrea Dubois, Dara O’Hara, Jill Ross, Stephanie Coleman, Coralie Charriol Paul, Kate Pickett, Virginia Apple, Vicki Foley, Allison Aston, Kelly Klein, Katlean de Monchy, Sessa Johnson, Jennifer Keil, Jill and Andrew Roosevelt, Alexia Hamm Ryan, Amy Tarr, Blair Clarke and Sylvester Miniter.
The event was sponsored by Kamie and Richard Lightburn, Yesim and Dusty Philip, and Nina and Michael Whitman. There was music by Brett Band for Kids, a marionette puppet show, a mini-carousel, life-sized chess and checker board, relay races, face-painting, storytelling, sprinklers, sand art, rock climbing walls and a fishing activity as well as a delicious buffet, homemade lemonade and cotton candy.
Best of all, almost $280,000 was raised to support Central Park Playground Partners, a group of families dedicated to keeping Central Park’s 21 playgrounds safe, clean and well maintained. This marked an over 30% increase in revenue over last year’s event and is the most successful Playground Partners’ event in its 18-year history. Playground Partners funds a service crew specifically responsible for caring for our playgrounds, with duties such as maintaining equipment, regular safety inspections, cleaning sandboxes and removing litter and debris. From volunteering together as Playground Captains, to attending the Annual Family Party, the Playground Partners strive to promote stewardship and environmental principles in every playground.