Madison Square Park Conservancy is proud to honor Daniel R. Garodnick, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the New York City Department of City Planning, at our 2023 spring gala. Dan has a distinguished career as a public servant that started long before his current appointment by Mayor Eric Adams. After working as a litigator at the New York law firm of Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP, Dan was elected to the New York City Council, where he represented Council District 4 on Manhattan’s East Side for 12 years. He then became President and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for this 6-mile park on the Upper West Side. His experiences have shaped not only his dedication to New York City but also his deep appreciation for how much local parks mean to our neighborhoods.

“As a life-long New Yorker, I understand the critical importance of parks in our daily lives. They keep us cool, healthy, and relaxed, and offer respite in a dense urban environment. During the pandemic, New Yorkers came to appreciate their public spaces more than ever and, through their support of organizations like MSPC, showed a renewed commitment to their care. We all need to stay committed to supporting our existing parks and creating great new ones for New Yorkers to enjoy. Thank you, Madison Square Park Conservancy, for all that you do – and keep it up!” says Garodnick.

Please join us in honoring Dan for his commitment to New York City and its parks, by supporting MSPC and purchasing tickets to Party in the Park today. We hope to see you there!