Fort Tryon Park Honors Bette Midler

Manhattan Times
Fort Tryon Park Trust honors Bette Midler
Community News
Saturday, June 18, 2011

During the annual Fort Tryon Park Trust Sunset on the Hudson Gala, the evening’s honoree, Bette Midler, received a silver spade. From left: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Trust Board Vice Chair Edith Kean, Trust Board Chair Joseph Pierson, Bette Midler, and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

Actress, singer, celebrity and parks lover Bette Midler received a silver tree spade from Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thu., June 16 during the annual Fort Tryon Park Trust Sunset on the Hudson Gala. The sumptuous affair for 200 guests began with cocktails at New Leaf Restaurant and Bar in Fort Tryon Park, which Midler started as a revenue stream for her nonprofit New York Restoration Project, and ended with dinner and music on the park’s Linden Terrace.

The YM/YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood also showcased excerpts of the musical “Sosua,” created and performed by local teenagers.

Bloomberg praised Midler for her 15-year effort to preserve local parks, including Fort Washington, Highbridge, and Fort Tryon Parks and Sherman Creek on the east side of Inwood. Midler has also been a strong partner and supporter of the Million Trees NYC effort championed by Bloomberg.

Midler spoke about being a catalyst and bridge in the local restoration efforts and how she was pleased to be able to pass the torch to the Friends of Ft. Tryon Park Trust.

The beautiful evening, which ended hours before thunderstorms blew through, was the first time in the nine-year history of the gala that it was held under the stars instead of a tent.

“Watching the Hudson River roll by, viewing the Palisades, having an unobstructed view of the Heather Garden, it was truly magical,” said Northern Manhattan Parks Administrator Jennifer Hoppa, who is also the executive director of the trust.

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