The Conservancy, which began 30 years ago as a grassroots community group advocating to build Brooklyn Bridge Park on former industrial land, has provided free public programs for more than one million visitors over the past 16 years. This year, proceeds from the Brooklyn Black Tie Ball will benefit the Conservancy’s 500 free and low cost programs, which help keep the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront vibrant and thriving. In 2014, over 170,000 individuals enjoyed Conservancy events, including kayaking, waterfront workouts, and environmental education classes for school groups as part of its extensive lineup of educational, recreational, and cultural activities.
“We were thrilled to honor Mike Bloomberg at our third annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball,” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. “His vision as Mayor was critical in the creation and growth of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and his commitment to green parks and public spaces will be part of his lasting legacy to all New Yorkers.”
“The Brooklyn Black Tie Ball has become a wonderful autumn tradition at the park and a great way to support our partners at the Conservancy,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. "We congratulate honoree Michael Bloomberg, without whom there would be no Brooklyn Bridge Park, and are grateful to everyone for their commitment to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Conservancy."
ABOUT BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK CONSERVANCY
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy has worked for over 30 years to bring Brooklyn Bridge Park to life. We started out as grassroots advocates, bringing together residents, government, and local supporters to transform an abandoned waterfront into the park you see today. Now an essential supporter, we work in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to ensure that the park reaches its full potential as a dynamic and vibrant public space for Brooklyn, New York City, and beyond. The Conservancy produces diverse and innovative programming for park visitors and cultivates volunteer and philanthropic support of this special place on the Brooklyn waterfront. Since 2000, more than 1,000,000 visitors have enjoyed the Conservancy’s free, public programs in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
For the most up-to-date scheduling and line-up for all Brooklyn Bridge Park programming, follow us via the below links and visit BrooklynBridgePark.org for information.
Twitter: @BklynBrdgPark
Instagram: @BrooklynBridgePark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooklynbridgepark
Special guests included:
Politics
Michael Bloomberg – Former three term mayor of New York City
Maria Torres-Springer – President, Economic Development Corporation
Dan Doctoroff – CEO of Sidewalk Labs, Previously: CEO and president of Bloomberg L.P. and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding
Celebrity
Jim Cramer – Host of CNBC’s Mad Money show
Business/Philanthropy
Tom and Cindy Secunda – Founding Partner, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Financial Products & Services of Bloomberg LLP
Diane Coffey – Managing Director of Peter J. Solomon Company
Susan Freedman – President of the Public Art fund
Robert Lieber – Executive Managing Director, C-III Capital Partners, Previously: Deputy Mayor for Economic Development.
Maria Torres-Springer, Nancy Bowe, Nancy Webster and Michael R. Bloomberg
Photo Credit: Etienne Frossard
The Third Annual Brooklyn Park Conservancy Black Tie Gala at Pier 2 in Brooklyn's Waterfront Honoring Michael R. Bloomberg
Photos courtesy of :
LUXXELIVING
Julienne Schaer and Etienne Frossard from Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s
Brooklyn Black Tie Ball and After Party
Honoring Michael R. Bloomberg
Sold Out Event Raises $1,000,000
Coverage by Yerelyn Cortez Hidalgo
On the evening of Thursday, October 8, 2015 Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy held its third annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball and After Party. The sold out event hosted over 1000 guests and raised $1,000,000, a new record for the Conservancy. In 2014, this event raised $625,000. The extraordinary evening held at Pier 2 in Brooklyn's waterfront overlooking Downtown Manhattan, the Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty. Guests included Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy supporters, philanthropists and known political personalities to support and raise money for waterfront & education programming.
The event included a waterfront reception and seated three-course meal on Pier 2, with the New York City skyline serving as a magnificent backdrop. During the waterfront reception guests were offered a variety of cocktails consisting of a full bar and hors d'oeuvres. Guest savored mini lobster rolls, miniature soup, mini chicken pot pie among other tastings.
The Dinner in the Skyline Tent consisted of a welcome video, presentation by Alicia Glen, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development honoring Michael R. Bloomberg founder of Bloomberg LP and three-term mayor of New York City. The dinner consisted of Autum Squash and Burrata Salad with hazelnuts, aged balsamic and pickled cranberries, followed by Braised Short Rib of Beef with parsnip puree, carrots and red watercress. Guests were able to select from Palmer Vineyards Chardonnay from the North Fork of Long Island circa 2014 or Vina Herminia, Crianza, Rioja from Spain circa 2011.
After the ball, the Conservancy Currents, the Conservancy’s young professional group, hosted a ticketed after-party where guests participated in a high-energy gathering. It included an open bar, snacks and dancing under the stars with DJ Herbert Holler from the Freedom Party.
An array or supporters and companies such as 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, AT&T, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Citi, Corcoran, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, and Toll Brothers City Living reserved tables to support the community and events.
At the event, the Conservancy honored Michael R. Bloomberg: Three-term Mayor of New York City, and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. As New York City’s 108th mayor, Mike Bloomberg led a major expansion of the City’s parks, adding more than 850 acres of new parkland, much of it along the waterfront, and opening new recreational facilities in all five boroughs. At the end of Mayor Bloomberg’s term in 2013, 76% of New Yorkers lived within a 10-minute walk of a park or playground. Mike Bloomberg has been the driving force in the creation of Brooklyn Bridge Park. His strong leadership as Mayor was essential to the Park’s transition from once abandoned piers to a green and vibrant space enjoyed by New Yorkers and visitors from around the world.
The Conservancy also highlighted the September opening of its Environmental Education Center in the Dumbo section of the park. The new classroom will serve as home base for the Conservancy’s environmental field work in Brooklyn Bridge Park, plus allow drop-in hours for the public to enjoy interactive exhibits and a 250-gallon East River aquarium and touch tank.