Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2001

Release # 202-01

Contact:	Sunny Mindel/ Lynn Rasic	(212) 788-2958
	Jane Rudolph (PARKS)	(212) 360-1311
	Sharon Sampson (for City Parks Foundation)	(212) 843-8296

MAYOR GIULIANI, PARKS COMMISSIONER STERN, AND CITY PARKS FOUNDATION CELEBRATE NEWLY RENOVATED MADISON SQUARE PARK

Historic Park is Returned to Original 19th Century Elegance

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern and the City Parks Foundation today celebrated the renovation of the historic Madison Square Park and officially re-opened the park to the public. The Campaign for the New Madison Square Park -- a remarkable public-private partnership -- successfully raised $2.5 million in private funds to supplement the $2.5 million in public funds, for the construction. The initiative, led by the City Parks Foundation, is also raising $6 million in additional funds to support maintenance and programming for the park, which is located in the Flatiron District between Fifth and Madison Avenues, and 23rd and 26th Streets in Manhattan.

Also attending the celebration were Executive Director of the City Parks Foundation Deborah Landau; City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone; Councilman Herbert Berman; Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields; President of the Union Square Hospitality Group Danny Meyer; as well as Chairman and CEO of MetLife, Inc. Robert H. Benmoshe.

"Madison Square Park is one of the most historically important parks in New York City and now it looks better than ever," Mayor Giuliani said. "Thanks to a strong public-private partnership this park has been restored to its 19th century magnificence for all New Yorkers to enjoy. Once left in disrepair, the newly renovated Madison Square Park symbolizes New York City's ongoing renaissance."

Parks Commissioner Stern said, "The restoration of Madison Square Park has brought this 19th century gem into the 21st century and recreated a destination for neighbors and commuters to enjoy. Madison Square Park is the park of Admiral Farragut and Roscoe Conkling and the Eternal Light, the park of fountains and pools. Its glory is a double row of English elms planted in the 19th century signifying the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue."

Restoration highlights include:

Victorian fountain in south end of park restored according to original design with granite urns and Victorian detailing;
New contemporary reflecting pool in north end of park;
Expansion of southeast corner at 23rd Street and Madison Avenue pursuant to original park design, reclaiming approximately 1,200 square feet of space that had been rounded off as a short cut for trolleys;
Relocation of 19th century bronze sculptures -- Farragut Monument and Conklin Monument;
Ornamental gates added to all eight park entrances;
New ornamental park lighting and perimeter fencing of fluted cast iron;
New World's Fair style benches, drinking fountains and other hospitality features; and
New trees, shrubs, flower plantings and re-seeded lawns designed by renowned horticulturist Lynden B. Miller.

"It is thrilling to see Madison Square Park returned to its former majesty, following the culmination of such a dynamic private/public partnership," said Debbie Landau, Executive Director of the City Parks Foundation. "City Parks Foundation is proud to have led this renovation project and will spearhead ongoing programming in the park to ensure that Madison Square Park continues to flourish in the years to come."

Mayor Giuliani provided more than $1 million for the design and construction of the park, in addition to the public funds provided by the City Council and the Manhattan Borough President. Leading the team of corporate partners contributing to the project are MetLife, New York Life, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Union Square Hospitality Group. Robert H. Benmosche, Chairman and CEO of MetLife, Inc., and Danny Meyer, President of Union Square Hospitality Group, co-chaired the Campaign for the New Madison Square Park. Target Stores provided a $1 million gift to sponsor a three-year series of contemporary art exhibitions in the park, organized by the Public Art Fund.

In addition to capital renovations, the Campaign for the New Madison Square Park established a $6 million endowment for a permanent staff in charge of ongoing maintenance and programming at Madison Square Park.

The 6.2 acre park first opened on May 10, 1847, and holds an important place in the history and culture of New York City. From the 1850's to 1870's, it served as the epicenter of New York's aristocratic social scene and was the first site to display the Statue of Liberty's torch-bearing arm. In the past several decades, the park has fallen into disrepair, prompting the City Parks Foundation to spearhead the renovation campaign to return the park to its original 19th century importance as a vital public space for New York.

The Madison Square Park playground is currently under reconstruction, due to a $750,000 renovation project provided by the Mayor to complete the entire Park's restoration. Construction is scheduled for completion in November 2001.