Hudson River Park Friends is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the completion, care, and enhancement of the Hudson River Park, and is the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust. We create opportunities for private contributions to and participation in the Park's operations and growth, to guarantee its future for generations of New Yorkers, Americans and visitors from around the world.
To help meet a growing need for resources as Hudson River Park expands and matures, Friends expanded its mission in 2011 to focus on generating private philanthropic support for New York’s premier waterside park. Friends is working in partnership with the Hudson River Park Trust to channel its fundraising efforts so that sufficient capital is available to complete the Park, build an endowment, augment operating resources, and guarantee that the Park always remains in world-class condition.
Founded in 1999, Friends has also been the principal private advocacy group working to garner public dollars for Hudson River Park’s construction, and monitor Park progress under the Hudson River Park Act. Friends’ advocacy has already helped to secure over $250 million in public funding to construct Hudson River Park, and to hasten the relocation of incompatible municipal facilities on designated parkland. Nonetheless, an estimated $200 million in capital construction costs still remain, and current revenues are insufficient to operate and maintain the Park as it continues to grow. Friends welcomes involvement from all sectors of the community to become part of this important objective.
