Oktoberfest is ON for Saturday, Raffle tickets for fab prizes

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Our volunteers arose early to meet the pumpkin delivery and setup for Oktoberfest. So head over at 1 PM start time to Dag Plaza for a fun day. Be sure to load up on raffle tickets. Prizes include seats for  Broadway hit shows, summer camp tuition, restaurants, gift shops and salon vouchers. The kids will have the time of their life painting pumpkins and wielding their balloon animals and swords with faces painted for photo ops. There’s even a tennis camp for tots and teens  to work off steam.

Proceeds from donations go to bringing you more community events and park beautification.

Expect Protests and High Security, Largest Diplomatic Gathering in World, September 16 to October 1

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As the the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69) convened at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, September 16, local residents braced for mid-town gridlock and the parade of protests aimed at UN leaders. Once again, we’re reminded of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza‘s historic role as Gateway to the UN, enshrining the Rights of Public Assembly and Peaceful Protest. Until the close on October 1, high-level security will extend to the park and surrounding neighborhood Security details are posted on roof tops while boats patrol the East River.

The Assembly’s “General Debate” presents 196 speakers over a period of six days on major issues of international concern, comprising all the 193 UN Member States, as well as the Observer State of the Holy See, the Observer State of Palestine and the delegation of the European Union. In addition, 2000 media accreditations have been processed.

This year’s theme is “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda” but much of the discussion will focus on urgent crises arising from ongoing conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and South Sudan.

Among the high-level meetings, President Barrack Obama chairs a Security Council Summit on Wednesday to address the growing, pervasive threat of terrorism and ISIS. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convenes a session on Thursday to focus on the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

Climate change is also of great concern. For the first time, at Tuesday’s Climate Change Summit , China committed to making its economy more carbon efficient.  President Obama said climate change was moving faster than efforts to address it, and that the US and China had a responsibility to lead other nations. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed the collective sense of urgency, saying “never before have so many leaders gathered to commit to action on climate change”.

Scaffolding Reform: Saving our Parks & Greenspace

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Board of Directors Meeting, 10/23/2024, New York City
Resolution to advocate preservation of NYC public parks and gardens in scaffolding reform
legislation
WHEREAS: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and its Katharine Hepburn Garden, and other NYC parks including Ralph Bunche and Trygve Lie Plaza, are adversely impacted by Local Law 11, which protects public safety with scaffolding and fencing (sidewalk sheds) but makes no provision to protect parks and gardens when safety structures are required on parkland;
WHEREAS: Under the NY State Constitution “Green Amendment,” art.1, §19, added in 2022, New Yorkers are guaranteed the right to clean air, water and a healthful environment, and public officials have duties in that regard. The mandate is designed, among other purposes, to protect the 29,000 acres of the New York City’s park system, and as such, applies to scaffolding reform bills;
WHEREAS: Scaffolding that impedes parkland for extended periods with no work performed leads to unlawful behavior, dangerous and derelict conditions, endangering the public and preventing the enjoyment and benefits of parks, playgrounds and greenspaces;
WHEREAS: Bills to reform scaffolding introduced through City Council and the Manhattan Borough President under Mayor Eric Adams initiative to modernize Local Law 11 curb abusive practices, provide for innovative new materials and architectural design but make no provision for preserving public gardens and greenspaces deprived of light, water and maintenance;
WHEREAS public parks and gardens increase the health of residents, economies and ecologies in an equitable and just manner and a community rich in parks and gardens increases the desirability of neighborhoods and property values;
WHEREAS Hammarskjold Plaza’s renowned Katharine Hepburn Garden is imperiled, the $4
million Capital Renovation delayed; with no provision for maintenance, resulting in a public nuisance with no public recourse;
WHEREAS: Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza represent community stakeholders in the
enhancement, safety and vitality of parkland through the investment of private and public funding, volunteer labor and contracted services to preserve, beautify and maintain the green landscape;
BE IT RESOLVED:
That scaffolding reform legislation provide for the preservation of gardens and plant life in NYC public parks and greenspaces to include lighting specifications, horticultural needs and consideration of landscape in the architectural design of safety scaffolding and fencing per codes NYBC 3307.6. 3307.7 and 3309 with appropriate fines, timelines and proceedings for violations. FDHP further advocates that the NY State Green Amendment be applied to language pertaining to scaffolding reform and legislation.
Passed by a vote of the Board of Directors, Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 10/23/2024. Office: 224 E. 47th St. Rm 304, NYC 10017~ fdhp@hammarskjoldplaza.org.

Oktoberfest 2024

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Oktoberfest was really Fun!! Thank you to all the families who joined, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Follow us on our Social Media! *You can see the photos in the Photo Galleries or just click on the Title above.

BLACKOUT in Dag Plaza, Urgent Call for Service!

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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! 

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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

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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

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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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The show goes on despite a maze of fencing and bureaucratic wrangling
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.