Join us at Dag Plaza\’s Pink Moose Cafe…NYC park architect GEORGE VELLONAKIS recounts his lunch with Katharine Hepburn at her family\’s Saybrook, CT estate,  and how he and Hepburn fan Millie Margiotta  saved Kate\’s bench from the auction block for the garden that bears her name. Vellonakis reflects on his design inspiration for the fountains, latticed pergolas, entrance dome and the park\’s naturalized garden.   

CHARLES HARRIS, architect from the prestigious firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, recounts the collaborative process, aesthetics, and \”green design\”  of  the United Arab Emirates building, which now overlooks the retaining wall of the Katharine Hepburn Garden, enhancing the Plaza landscape. The building meshes  traditional New York City architecture with  Middle Eastern aesthetics.

NEXT WEEK; July  29, author PAMELA HANLON talks about  historic Turtle Bay. Join Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and the Turtle Bay Association for a grand finale celebration of our community. More about Pam\’s historical talk next week! 

Enjoy the Garden\’s Reopening: Now that the UAE construction fence has been removed, you can walk the entire garden path  and enjoy Kate\’s bench and  the engraved stepping stones bearing quotes by Katharine Hepburn.  Volunteers have been pruning and weeding under the guidance of Parks Gardener Maria Mendez  and plantsman Robert Soret. 

We appreciate your interest and look forward to a great summer in  Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. We welcome your feedback: email fdhp@hammarskjoldplaza.org