October 10, 2017

This year we are delighted to honor Doug Blonsky, President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, at our 2017 Party 4 Parks. Doug has been with the Conservancy for over thirty years, playing a key role in its restoration from a place of neglect to the world-renowned public park masterpiece it is today. 

We’re especially excited to celebrate the Central Park Conservancy Institute for Urban Parks, which Doug established in 2013 to ensure the sustainability of Central Park and the Conservancy, as well as to provide assistance, training, and on-site support to current and aspiring park professionals. The Institute shares the knowledge and passion of the Conservancy’s team with people across from across the world, and across the five boroughs. 

The Institute’s Park to Park program provides direct assistance and education to parks all over New York City, including gardening, site assessment, visitor engagement, and turf care. The Five Borough Program performs improvements to NYC parks as a way to build skills and knowledge. By bringing their expertise directly to our city’s parks the Institute supports the employees and volunteers who are the backbone of a healthy park system. 

Doug understands that great parks make a great city, and has put this into action for the betterment of Central Park and neighborhood parks across the city that are just as beloved by the communities who use them. For this reason we are proud to honor Doug at this year’s Party 4 Parks.