Hudson River Park Friends Raises More Than $260,000 at Playground Committee Luncheon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 24: Nicky Hilton speaks onstage during the Fifth Annual Hudson River Park Friends Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on January 24, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Friends Of Hudson River Park)

Hudson River Park Friends’ Playground Committee raised more than $260,000 at their annual luncheon on Friday afternoon at CURRENT at Pier 59. The funds raised will be used to build a new one-of-a-kind 4,000 square foot marine science play area – the fifth play area in Hudson River Park – and for children’s and family park programs.

Nicky Hilton speaks onstage during the Fifth Annual Hudson River Park Friends Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on January 24, 2020 in NYC (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Friends Of Hudson River Park)

The Friends Playground Committee is a group of accomplished parents who generate support from the local community for play areas, sports fields, free public events and environmental and educational programs. Since the Playground Committee’s inception in 2012, they have raised $5.5MM for Hudson River Park.

Honorees Nicky Hilton Rothschild, fashion designer; Rachel Blumenthal, CEO and Founder, Rockets of Awesome; and Corporate Champion: Stephanie Hochman, Senior Vice President, Citi & Lead, Citi Volunteers. Hosted by comedienne and bestselling author, Jenny Mollen. Luncheon Chairs included Wendy Amsterdam, Bethany D’Meza, Alexis Herron, Jilian Simpson, Megan Stackhouse, Chelsey Ward and Cara Weisberger. Additional guests included Eva Chen, Jenny Fleiss, Samantha Haber Wasser, Sara Haines, Leandra Medine, Nell Diamond, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jessica Wilpon Kamel, Claire Olshan and many others.

(EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched at the request of Stacey Bendet.) Stacey Bendet (C) and Jenny Mollen (R) attend the Fifth Annual Hudson River Park Friends Playground Committee Luncheon at Current at Chelsea Piers on January 24, 2020 in NYC (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Friends Of Hudson River Park)

Hudson River Park is a 550-acre recreational oasis running from Chambers Street to 59^th Street, bringing green open spaces to millions of New Yorkers. Hudson River Park is not a City park and relies on private donations and community support for its daily maintenance, operations and 550 plus public programs. Hudson River Park is accessible to everyone — providing gathering places for families and friends and people of all ages and income levels.