Hudson River Park Friends Raises Nearly $400,000 at 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon

Hudson River Park Friends hosted their 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon on March 3rd at the Current at Pier 59 in New York City. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Harry Santa-Olalla attends the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Al Roker attends the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: (L-R) Jenny Miller Dutton, Megan Stackhouse, Rebekah Klipper, Al Roker, Wendy Amsterdam, Zara Terez Tisch, Sarah Lambert, Jillian Simpson, and Caroline Bliss Spencer attend the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Zara Terez Tisch and Jill Kargman attend the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

This year’s luncheon theme was Stay Wild and was hosted by Al Roker, the Weather Anchor of NBC’s Today, and honored actress and author Jill Kargman and Zara Terez Tisch, the Founder, and CEO of Terez. They were both acknowledged for their accomplishments as parents and leaders in their communities; while actively engaging and supporting Hudson River Park and its initiatives. Hudson River Park is not a city park and is privately funded through donations and community support. Events like this help fund the upkeep and overall maintenance needed to keep Hudson River Park flourishing. The park is 550 acres of green land surrounded by water and enjoyed by millions of New Yorkers. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Harry Santa-Olalla leads the auction during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Jill Kargman speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Al Roker and Jill Kargman attend the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Zara Terez Tisch speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Zara Terez Tisch speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Zara Terez Tisch and Sas Goldberg pose for a photo onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Al Roker speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Al Roker speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Connie Fishman speaks onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Guests bid during the auction at the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Jill Kargman and Lindsey Peers pose onstage during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Guests pledge donations using Givergy during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Gift bags are handed out during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Donors receive a champagne toast during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Harry Santa-Olalla leads the auction during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: An interior view of the venue during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

At this year’s luncheon, there was a live auction led by Harry Santa-Olalla, which featured premier restaurants within Hudson River Park, such as City Winery and Grand Banks. As well as popular sports bundles that include meeting the pros at the US Open and the ultimate New York Sports Fan package. These auctioned experiences helped Hudson River Park Friends raise nearly $400,000, which will help fund 550+ free programs and events. In addition to the auction, members from the committee announced the openings of new amenities at Pier 57, the reopening of Chelsea Waterside Park, and the grand openings of Gansevoort Peninsula and Pier 97. These additions will bring nearly eight acres of new green spaces to people in New York City. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: A view of signage on display during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Food and drinks are served during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: An interior view of the venue during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: A view of the bar during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: DJ James Ryan performs during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Food and drinks are served during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: A view of the gift bag during the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: A view of Terez at the Hudson River Park Friends 7th Annual Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on March 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Hudson River Park Friends)