My name is Gwen Lohse and I am the programming associate Americorps civil service member at The Freshkills Park Alliance. I am currently a student at Hunter College CUNY, on track to graduate with a Bachelors in environmental studies with a concentration in earth systems science.

My name is Shannon Erickson. I recently graduated from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University with my Master of Public Administration focused on environmental policy and administration. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University, SUNY in environmental science with an ecosystems concentration.

This year almost 1,000 visitors explored Freshkills Park by bicycle. They rode the four mile loop road around East Park, saw the beautiful grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands, and experienced a Montana-like sky in New York City. Thanks to supporters like you, the Freshkills Park Alliance provides free bikes during events so that everyone has access to these unique opportunities.

Dear Friends:

As we broke ground on the North Park project on a beautiful sunny day this fall, it was wonderful to see the excitement and support for the project. In thinking about how far we have come, I was grateful for all who have kayaked the creeks, hiked the trails and studied the site’s environmental transformation over the years because your care and commitment have helped us reach this milestone.

Dear Friends:

This year’s $30 million funding for the Mayor’s Anchor Parks initiative is a wonderful recognition of the progress we’re making as Freshkills Park continues to take shape. The Anchor Parks project, now entering design, will focus on South Park.

Freshkills Park will offer a Discovery Day event on Sunday September 18th from 11am to 4pm. During this free event, 700 acres and eight miles of trails in the normally closed site will be open, providing opportunities to explore and learn about the landfill-to-park project.

Enjoy Freshkills Park’s unique experience and spectacular views at the last Discovery Day of the year. During this free event, 700 acres and eight miles of trails in the normally closed site will be open, with opportunities to explore and learn about the landfill-to-park project.

Creative and innovative programming is the public’s primary means of access to Freshkills Park as its development and build out continues. Support for these programs comes from several sources, including an annual budget from the NYC Parks Department, but the Freshkills Park Alliance (the not for profit partner of Freshkills Park) currently provides most of the Park’s annual budget for program-related expenses.

Freshkills Park offered a Discovery Day event on May 15th from 11am to 4pm. During this free event, 700 acres and eight miles of trails in the otherwise closed site were open, providing opportunities to explore and learn about the landfill-to-park project.

It’s been an amazing year at Freshkills Park.  We have accomplished so much!

2015 by the numbers

Over 10,000 people experienced Freshkills Park this year, whether visiting the park during our new Discovery Days, special events, and programs or participating in presentations around the City.