The Central Park Conservancy hosted its 42nd annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon at the Conservatory Garden, also known as the hat luncheon, on Wednesday morning. The event was a dazzling display of fashion and philanthropy, with over 1,000 guests raising over $4.6 million for the preservation and upkeep of Central Park.
Guests arrived in their finest spring attire, with hats and fascinators adorned with feathers, Legos, and artificial flowers. The colorful procession down the steps of Central Park’s Vanderbilt Gate on Fifth Avenue was reminiscent of a scene from a classic Hollywood film.
Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a longtime supporter of the park, emphasized the importance of fundraising for Central Park’s operating costs, including landscaping and maintenance. The event honored Diane Schaub, the Central Park Conservancy’s curator of gardens, and the Conservancy’s garden staff for their dedication to preserving Manhattan’s green oasis.
Attendees like Abby Phillip, the CNN anchor, and Mireyah D’Angelo, a banker with JP Morgan Chase, expressed their love for Central Park and the memories they have created there. For some, like jeweler Ylena Feuerman, the event was an opportunity to involve their children in supporting the park, with a headpiece made of Legos that carried a message of hope and happiness.
The luncheon highlighted the importance of Central Park as a communal space for all New Yorkers to enjoy. As philanthropist Kathleen Tait, who has attended the luncheon for 20 years, noted, the event symbolizes the democratization of the green space and the ongoing effort to preserve it for future generations.
