Annual Report 2020

View the complete PDF of our 2020 Annual Report

From Our Executive Director

When I began the role of Executive Director at New York Restoration Project in February 2020, I could not have imagined what would follow just one month later when COVID-19 hit—a crisis that continues to this day. As a life-long New Yorker, I was deeply struck by the impacts of the pandemic to my home and felt the loss on a personal level. I made it my goal to ensure that NYRP was an active part of local recovery and that we would continue to provide essential resources and services to the communities who have been hit hardest.

This past year has only underscored how critical access to quality open space is for our mental and physical health. Since the pandemic struck, New Yorkers have been relying on open space more than ever before, with city parks now seeing pre-COVID weekend levels of use on a daily basis.

Despite this dramatic increase, as of May 2020, open space nonprofit organizations like NYRP—which collectively support 50 percent of the city’s public parks and green spaces—suffered a devastating revenue loss of $37 million dollars due to the pandemic. This translates to 40,000 lost hours of maintenance citywide, 110,000 lost hours of horticultural care, and numerous lost jobs.

In April 2020, to address this emergency, I helped form the NYC Parks and Open Space Partners. This diverse coalition of over 30 parks conservancies and advocacy groups have worked together ever since to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and advocate for increased funding of open space. In May, we issued the remarkable “Report on COVID-19 Impact on Public Spaces,” which you can read here.

While the challenges of COVID-19 will continue into 2021, this new year presents an opportunity to ensure that our green spaces remain a priority. Upcoming elections for Mayor, City Council, and Borough Presidents provide a chance for us to raise our voices for urban green space and environmental justice. I recently wrote an op-ed on this topic, entitled “The Election No One Is Talking About (Yet).” You can read the full article here.

Amidst the pandemic, NYRP has also celebrated our 25th anniversary. Our work has left an indelible mark on New York City and our success to date is a testament to the strength and integrity of the organization, which will carry us forward into the next quarter century.

This is all possible because of the generous support of our donors. On behalf of the entire NYRP team, thank you for standing with us during this unprecedented time to ensure that all New Yorkers can experience the critical benefits of nature. I look forward to working with you in 2021.

With gratitude,

Lynn B. Kelly, Executive Director

From Our Board Co-chairs

For over 25 years, New York Restoration Project has pioneered a model to turn underutilized public spaces into beloved community assets, making our city cleaner, greener, and healthier for 8.6 million residents.

The past year has been unique in so many ways—some expected and others not. Early in the year, we kicked off our 25th anniversary by welcoming Lynn Kelly as NYRP’s new Executive Director. Unfortunately, just one month later, COVID-19 hit and devastated many of the communities where NYRP works. The immediate impact of the pandemic prompted NYRP to adapt and innovate like never before.

As New Yorkers, we understand how essential open space is to a thriving city. Community parks and gardens support mental and physical health, offer a safe place for children to play, and provide fresh, locally grown food. For all these reasons, New Yorkers need the respite of open space now more than ever. In particular, the pandemic has exacerbated the existing food insecurity crisis throughout the city, underscoring the importance of NYRP’s work in urban agriculture.

Despite the incredible challenges of this past year, we found many reasons to celebrate this milestone for NYRP. In 2020 alone, we:

• Removed 120,000 pounds of trash from parks
• Composted 43,000 pounds of organic material
• Helped gardeners grow 90,000 pounds of fresh produce
• Built or transformed 18 shared green spaces throughout the city
• Completely renovated 2 community gardens
• Reintroduced an oyster reef to northern Manhattan

Thanks to strong leadership, strategic management, and our dedicated donors, NYRP has been able to persevere and deliver essential services throughout this crisis. As the city begins the long process of rebuilding, NYRP will be a vital part of that recovery, working at the intersection of environmental and social justice to make communities safer, healthier, and happier.

Thank you for standing with us to ensure that all New Yorkers can access the critical benefits of green space. Your support has already made such a difference, and it is what will carry NYRP’s mission forward into the next 25 years.

With gratitude,

Helena Durst and Darcy Stacom,
Board of Trustees Co-Chairs

2020 Leadership

Supporters

This past year was truly like none other. We are grateful for our generous donors who ensured that we could continue working when our city needed us most.

This alphabetical list includes donors who gave $1,000 or more between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. This list has been prepared with care but if there is an error, please notify us at [email protected].