Our Mission
Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza ~ 224 East 47th St, Suite 339 ~ New York , NY 10017 tel 212-826-8980
ABOUT US
Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit
community organization whose mission is the care, preservation and
beautification of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and its Katharine Hepburn Garden. We also organize events in the interests of fostering community and
promoting the park as an arena for culture and entertainment.
Who We Are
We are “citizen custodians,” New Yorkers who believe in the importance of public space and gardens, and are willing to volunteer our time to make Dag Hammarskjold Plaza a world-class park and outstanding neighborhood amenity. Our Board of Directors meets a minimum of six times annually, while committees meet as needed. The organization’s finances, achievements, and plans are reported at our Annual Members Meeting when elections are held for officers and directors.
How We Started
The organization was founded in 1993, before the park’s reconstruction, to address concerns that a newly designed, expanded park would suffer the same neglect as the original property, a derelict plaza. “Why waste tax-payers money? You’re just making it nice for the homeless!” shouted opponents of the plan at public hearings.
The city's park system had, indeed, suffered a long period of decline with continued budget cuts, but a new model was emerging in which communities helped maintain their greenspaces. The Parks Department encouraged these volunteer efforts through its Partnership for Parks program. In anticipation of the newly designed park, Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza was formed to show the community's committment to the park's revitalization and upkeep. Tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization was granted in 1997.
What We Do
In August, 1999, when the newly reconstructed park opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Anne Saxon-Hersh, president (1993-2003), declared that the park would remain as beautiful as the day it opened. FRIENDS has delivered on that promise and more, tending to all the routine maintenance, caring for the garden, and working with organizations like NYC Council on the Environment, which brings us the Greenmarket.
We continue to act as a watchdog and park advocate, pressing city government to allocate sufficient funding to maintain its park system. Meanwhile, we fill a formidable gap, managing service contractors and volunteers, purchasing supplies, and continuing to make improvements. Of course, there's always more to do, and with the generosity of friends and an army of volunteers, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
See our Events page to read about our other activities.
Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
Contributions are tax-deductible.
WHAT WE DO: HIGHLIGHTS
Contract maintenance services for:
- Litter pickup and removal
- Pressure washing the plaza
- Fountain cleaning (weekly)
Improvements and park preservation:
- Irrigation for the garden
- “Skatestoppers” to protect the granite seating wall and prevent accidents
- Baskets on lampposts with seasonal plantings
- Signage to post park regulations
- Bulletin boards to keep you informed
Volunteer Activities:
- Planting and tending the garden
- Events, culture and entertainment
- Park safety and hygiene
- Park advocacy
- Sculpture and art exhibits
DAG HAMMARSKJOLD PLAZA
Gateway to the United Nations
East 47th Street @ 1st & 2nd Ave.
New York, New York
