Throughout the year, Madison Square Park will be highlighting some of our amazing Associate Board Members. Their contributions and work as park ambassadors help to ensure that the park remains clean, green, beautiful, and appreciated all year long.

Today we are featuring Minsun Yoo, a proud supporter of Madison Square Park and an Associate Board Member since 2017. Here’s some more about Minsun, in her own words:

My name is Minsun Yoo, and I’m the Director of Product Development at David & Young, a women’s fashion accessories company. I’m also the founder of Ponyflo, which produces internationally patented womens’ active caps, so you can say I wear many hats—pun intended!

When I came to New York 13 years ago, I found Madison Square Park and the NOMAD area very charming. The park seemed more like someone’s garden than a public park. When my husband John and I got married, we lived further north, near Koreatown. But once we had our three children, we moved closer to the park so the kids can enjoy it more often. Now we live close enough to check the line for Shake Shack from our window!

I first learned about the Madison Square Park Conservancy at a cultivating event hosted by a friend and fellow mother. We learned about the changes the Conservancy had brought to the area, and how dedicated the Board and staff members were. It motivated me to join the Associate Board so I could support the park.

One of my favorite memories as an Associate Board member was the Halloween kids concert I hosted at our place. My kids and I decorated the house, and guests came in their costumes. We invited a few classical musicians, and they played spooky songs. Through the event, families learned about the Conservancy’s work, and supported the park by becoming members.

Our favorite spot in the park is the dog run. My 9-year-old has been asking for dogs, but I’m not ready to clean up after them yet—I just potty-trained my youngest child, and sometimes moms need a break! So instead of getting a dog, we spend time watching them at the park.

We also have a bench with our family plaque near the dog park, and it’s a perfect spot for us to sit and watch the dogs playing. Just like we wrote on the plaque: This Park Will Forever Hold a Special Place in Our Hearts.