As the sun dipped below the Manhattan skyline Thursday night, Hudson River Park’s Piers 60 and 62 played host to a glittering affair, drawing an array of New York City elite.
Friends of the Hudson River Park Trust, wealthy donors, members of the broader New York City community, and even a sprinkle of celebrities flocked to the piers to commemorate the Park Trust’s 25-year legacy of revitalizing Manhattan’s once-deteriorated urban waterfront.
The evening began with cocktails by the carousel at Pier 62, where guests enjoyed what would likely be one of the last warm nights of the year. Hors devours, champagne, and the evening’s specialty cocktail, a passionfruit mezcal mule, made the rounds as guests mulled about, taking in the waterfront view. Chatter of all things urban planning plus what the night had in store was buzzing with anticipation. Though Park Friends holds a fundraising gala annually, this year’s celebration pulled out extra stops to honor the quarter century, tapping comedian Ronny Chieng to host, plus a musical performance from George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
Cocktails on Pier 62.
After sunset, guests were paraded to Pier 60 by Triad Brass. The NYC-based performing troupe rang folks into the venue with a medley of marching band classics reminiscent of a college pep rally. Alongside the procession, a red carpet was laid out for some of the higher profile, celebrity guests. First to hit the carpet was the evening’s host, Ronny Chieng. Highly affable and ever the entertainer, Chieng hopped the rope and began peppering his wife with Tik-Tok street style interview questions: “Quick! What’s your favorite park in New York City?”
Triad Brass welcoming guests into the venue.
After Chieng, the red carpet continued to draw eyes with the arrivals of funk music legend George Clinton and the iconic Martha Stewart, a longtime Chelsea resident who serves on Hudson River Park Friends’ Board of Directors. Clinton, along with his daughter, radiated in sparkling silver ensembles, a fitting tribute to the Trust’s ‘silver’ anniversary. Stewart, meanwhile, exuded elegance in a bedazzled silver dress. When asked about his expectations for the night, George Clinton, with his raspy charm, quipped, “They’re partying. I heard it was a party so I’m here!” Born just across the river in New Jersey, Clinton was quick to express his affinity for New York City’s parks. The Funkadelic frontman initially named Central Park as his favorite before pausing, “Hudson River Park!” he corrected himself with a laugh
Inside, a ballroom with a stage set before 60 dinner tables began to fill in. A brief moment of silence was observed for the lives lost in the Middle East that week before Ronny Chieng took the stage. Chieng held few punches, taking playful shots at Mayor Adams and other public servants. “During the last 25 years, this park went from being an absolute mess to cleaned up and presentable…Like Rudy Giuliani in reverse,” he said, to much laughter. Chieng also poked fun at the sheer excess of the event and the wealth in the room. Hudson River Park is not city-run but instead operates under a unique public/private partnership. The park is maintained through a trust of private donations and the profits from the more than 400 events the park sponsors annually. The gala was the park’s largest fundraising event of the year, as they raised 2.75 million dollars, in part through a live auction later in the evening, during which attendants bid on tickets to the Masters and a Mexico City art tour, among other items.
Comedian Ronny Chieng, delivering opening remarks.
After Chieng, a series of speakers tied more closely to the park, gushed about the two and a half decade achievement that was “[reinventing] the river’s edge as an accessible place for nature, open space, recreation, relaxation, and play.” Former Governor George Pataki, who was in office during the park’s conception and initial construction, received the Gala’s Legacy Award. “This crowd is a testament to how far we’ve come…you live the park!” said Gala Honoree and Park Friend Susanna Aaron.
The night concluded with a musical performance from George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. The night’s 13 piece ensemble had people out of their seats, dancing, with a bright, vivacious set. Clinton, considered by many to be the godfather of funk music, commanded the stage, showing glimmers of his younger self. The funk pioneer turned 82 in July.
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Check out Hudson River Park’s events calendar here: https://hudsonriverpark.org/visit/events/
