Quantcast

Park campaign offers perks, from discounts to free events

Kayaking in Hudson River Park. The park extends out in the river to the eastern end of the piers.
Kayaking in Hudson River Park. The park extends out in the river to the eastern end of the piers.

BY LINCOLN ANDERSON  |  Putting a new spin on fundraising, the Friends of Hudson River Park is offering supporters the opportunity to enjoy discounts and access to exclusive, special park events and activities in return for their donations.

Launched last week, it’s called the “Friendship Drive,” and the idea is that supporters join it as membership program.

“Rather than offer T-shirts and tote bags, we want to offer experiences to immerse people into the park in a new way,” explained Gregory Boroff, the Friends’ new executive director.

For a minimum contribution of $50, the so-called “Seedling” level, each member will get a card, good for discounts at select “community partner” businesses both inside the 5-mile-long waterfront park, as well as those nearby it. The card is good, for example, for a 20 percent discount on food and drink at P.D. O’Hurley’s, at Pier 84; or 50 percent off a $50 day pass at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers; or a free game of mini-golf (limit of three free games per year) at Pier 25, in Tribeca; or 10 percent off a beginner’s stand-up paddleboard class at New York Kayak Company, at Pier 40.

“Community partners” near the park include, among others, Anfora, at 34 Eighth Ave., 30 percent off cocktails before 7 p.m.; Desmond’s Steakhouse, 513 Seventh Ave., 20 percent off food and beverage; and Epicurean Events, 225 Varick St., 10 percent off food and beverages for all first orders.

In addition, members get access to special events in the park. For $100, “First Mate” members are invited to Friends’ “insider events,” such as V.I.P. invitations to World Yacht’s Holidays on the Hudson, including the lighting of the Ships and Boats Parade during the holiday season. For “Tree”-level contributors, who give $250, the perk is an exclusive outing with New York Outrigger. For $1,000, “Gardener” members are invited to attend the Friends’ Fourth of July fireworks viewing. For $2,500, the “Steward” level, members can request tours of the park on their particular subject of interest — from horticulture and nature to operations or events — plus can have a ball playing Kayabi (kayak dodgeball). For $5,000, “Mariner,” members get an exclusive night of high flying at the New York Trapeze School, at Pier 40. Finally, at the “Captain” level, $25,000, members can attend a “Captains’ Leadership Dinner” hosted by Mike Novogratz, the Friends’ chairperson, and celebrity chef David Chang. Monthly payments are allowed.

“This is something that only Hudson River Park can offer because of all the great activities that we have,” said Boroff. “What makes it very different is that it’s all experiential.”

Since becoming the Friends’ executive director last August, Boroff personally has learned a lot more about the park, and he wants other local residents to enjoy the same process.

“I’ve lived along the West Side, in Chelsea and Greenwich Village, for 20 years,” he noted. “I’ve seen the changes that happened. I go to the dog run in Chelsea Waterside Park with my dachshund, Vava. But I had never been in an outrigger canoe before. There are six people in it. The skyline from that vantage point — out on the river — was so dramatic. It was sunset. I really bonded with the six people in the canoe.”

It’s that kind of experience that Boroff and the Friends want the new fundraising campaign’s members to enjoy, too.

“Our job is to be friends, to be the welcoming group,” Boroff explained. “Not to be corny — but we want to be friends.” Although the Friends held its big gala in October, Boroff said this new Friendship Drive — with its dual role — is the major focus now.

“Our number one job is to get people interested and involved in the park,” he said, “and then get them to support the park.”

To join and for more information, go to hudsonriverpark.org, then click on “Support the Park” and “Become a Friend.”