Author Archives: Anne Hersh
Celebrate Oktoberfest, Sat. Oct 19, 1 to 4 PM, Rain date Oct 20
This family friendly event transforms Dag Plaza into a pumpkin patch adorned with scarecrows, cornstalks and haybales. Activities include pumpkin decorating, face painting, balloon art, crafts and games. Look for the tents adjacent to the park’s Oasis Juice Bar Cafe. Check this website for inclement weather notice on day of event.
BLACKOUT in Dag Plaza, Urgent Call for Service!
Friday the 13th, a lunar eclipse, conspiracy? It’s anybody’s guess why the park and street lamps failed to come on at dusk, cloaking the entire park block in darkness.
FDHP director Kim Baker reported the total blackout on 9/13 to Parks Manager Shena Kaufman and filed a 311 complaint ticket. Six days later, the park block was still cloaked in darkness. When we learned that DOT maintains all lamps and that standard wait time can be a week to 15 days, we sent out an SOS. Many thanks to 17th Precinct Captain Maggie Clamp, Manhattan Parks Chief of Staff Steve Simon, and Patrick Hill, Community Liaison FOR CM Keith Powers, who raised the clarion call for immediate attention.
Now we wait as this UN gateway goes into lockdown and heads of state attend the 79th session of the UNGA.
Scaffolding…we’re fed up!
We continue to voice the community’s outrage and disgust for derelict conditions under the scaffolding and inside the green barrier safety fence as well as the loss of public space. Orsid NY, the management company for 333 E. 46th Street, bears responsibility for the mess.
Once again we pressed Park officials to provide a removal date for the scaffolding erected by 333 E. 46th Street for DOB ordered facade repairs, and once again, we were told that attorneys are close to an agreement for replacement scaffolding inside the garden.The building’s management company is required to submit plans for the replacement scaffolding to DOB.
World Leaders Convene at UN, September 22-23
Expect the usual street closures, park barricades and protests when world leaders convene at UN Headquarters for the 79th Session of the General Assembly (UNGA) to address the critical challenges of global governance amid escalating conflicts.
In conjunction, Global Goals Week brings together more than 150 partners across civil society, business, and academia to accelerate action for the Sustainable Development Goals. Held annually alongside the UNGA, coalition partners work to ensure the Goals remain at the forefront of the global agenda.
Watch for Climate Week events all over NYC, including the Highline.
Construction for the Dag Plaza’s $4 million capital renovation resumes after the UNGA concludes September 30.
VOLUNTEER “Meet and Greet” Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 AM, gather at entrance dome, 2nd Ave and 47th Street
After a sleepy summer amid scaffolding, we’re planning for a busy autumn, starting with a “Meet and Greet: this Saturday to get acquainted. Join FDHP directors at the entrance dome on 2nd Avenue and learn about volunteer opportunities. Match your interests and skills to FDHP programs.
With the garden closed for construction, park beautification will focus on the plaza’s trees and tree beds, plant containers, clean-ups and autumn leaf raking.
We also need help with events, mailings, data entry, tech and IT assistance, tabling at greenmarket and street fairs, advocacy, photography and reporting.
If you have special skills, be sure to let us know!
Please RSVP to Tricia with text 347 266 0923 if you plan to attend or have questions.
CAN’T ATTEND BUT WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
Even if you already volunteer with Friends and/or signed up, please take a moment to fill out the volunteer application on FDHP website so we can match your current availability and interests to our needs.
CLICK ON LINK: my volunteer info
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Healthy parks make healthy neighborhoods.
Night Out Against Crime, Tues. Aug 6, 5 to 8 pm
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| Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 6, 5-8 PM, Dag Plaza Our local 17th Precinct police officers bring live music, carnival games, grilled burgers, photo ops with police vehicles and crime prevention tips to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 2nd Avenue and East 47th Street. The show goes on despite the ever-shrinking park space available to the public amid a maze of fencing. Be sure to visit our table and share your concerns with city officials. No sooner had Parks erected a chain-link construction fence parallel to the seating wall on either side of the DOB-permitted barrier fence that bisects the Plaza than NYPD ordered removal of Parks’ construction fence until after the UN General Assembly meets in September. Demolition and tree protection were underway when NYPD concerns added yet another layer of bureaucratic wrangling as lawyers dicker over who bears responsibility and who pays. Seven months have passed since the park’s $4 million capital renovation was stopped by safty scaffolding and wood fencing erected by Orsid management for facade repairs to the rear facade of 333 East 46th Street. Shop the greenmarket on Wednesdays and the newly opened OASIS Juice Bar offering a menu of delicious smoothies, salads and grains. Help keep the plaza healthy and vibrant with your patronage. |
Winner of Earth Day Art Contest: Penelope Oberman “Home”
Penelope’s art is now on view on the Plaza’s bulletin board near the entrance dome. As the winner in the age 5-9 to category, she and her friends will celebrate with a cupcake party in in the park.
Katharine Hepburn Garden Party, Sat. May 11, 1 PM to 3 PM
Celebrate Katharine Hepburn’s Birthday with free cake, coffee and live music at our annual garden party in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, Saturday, May 11, 1PM to 3 PM. (RAINDATE, Sat. May 25) Look for the tents at west end of Dag Plaza near Second Avenue entrance dome.
Peter & the Master Keys will perform swing band favorites from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Wear your spring hat and dancing shoes. Meet you neighbors and city officials.
Volunteers from NYU Langone Health/Tisch Hospital and Bahá’í International Community, UN office, planted hundreds of Impatiens, attended to tree beds, pruned and spruced up the plaza during Earth Week. So even with the scaffolding, we’re ready to party!
The tradition of celebrating Kate’s birthday (May 12,1907) started in 1997 when the park’s garden was dedicated to the famous actress for her role as a good neighbor who joined forces with the Turtle Bay Association to preserve the neighborhood’s charming character and fight for the trees on East 49th Street, now known as Katharine Hepburn Way.
The event is co-presented by Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and the Turtle Bay Association in cooperation with NYC Parks & Recreation.
Children’s Art Contest “What Earth Day Means to Me”
Children’s environmental awareness starts at home. Join the celebration of Earth Day with this family-friendly project. All children age 1-13 are invited to enter and share their thoughts about Earth Day. No entry fee. You may use any medium (paint, crayons, collage. It is up to you.
- Deadline April 15, 2023.
- One entry per person.
- 9 X11 Inches or smaller to fit in the Plaza’s display cabinet bulletin board.
- Winners notified by email and announced on our website by April 22.
- Take a photo of your art and upload it using the Entry Form below.
