October 8, 2026 (New York, NY) – Hudson River Park Friends returned to Pier Sixty in Hudson River Park tonight to host its annual Gala, celebrating all that the four-mile-long oasis provides to millions of New Yorkers each and every day. Hosted by Hudson River Park Friends, the Hudson River Park Annual Gala brings together Park supporters to keep the Park beautiful, green and growing for future generations. The evening celebrated nearly three decades of waterfront transformation, raising $2.2 million to support the Park’s 400+ free events and programs, the maintenance of its landscapes and gardens, STEM education and marine science research, habitat restoration and critical Park maintenance.
Drawing inspiration from the worlds of 70s fashion, music, and art, this year’s Gala celebrated the revitalization that Hudson River Park has brought to Manhattan’s far West Side. Guests gathered in where they enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and the evening’s program. The Gala honored Citi; Gansevoort Square Partners: Douglaston, Kinwood, MDRDV and CetraRuddy; and Ryan Serhant, Founder & CEO of SERHANT.
Additional attendees included Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Diana Taylor, Ronny Chieng, Congressman Jerry Nadler, New York State Senator Erik Bottcher, Daisy Toye, Emilia Serhant, Jennifer Fisher, Kelley Heyer, Evan Lazarus, and others.
“It’s always such a joy to gather with hundreds of our most generous and passionate Hudson River Park supporters at our annual Gala,” said Connie Fishman, Executive Director of Hudson River Park Friends. “I’m incredibly grateful to our outstanding Honorees, dedicated Board of Directors and amazing Friends’ donors, whose generosity and support made the evening an extraordinary success and truly one to remember.”
Auctioneer Gabriel Butu energized the evening’s fundraising with a spirited cash call and live auction. Highlights included a luxurious seven-night stay in a private Tuscan villa for up to eight guests, two nights in the Hudson River Suite at Faena New York with luxury amenities including a spa experience, and an hour-long, one-on-one or group learning session with Gala Honoree Ryan Serhant to learn the pitch, negotiation and closing tools he uses to run SERHANT. The dynamic silent auction offered one-of-a-kind experiences, such as a party for ten at the Captain’s Table aboard the Sherman Zwicker – the historic wooden schooner home to Grand Banks, a seven-night stay – surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean – on the beautiful island of Lampedusa, two nights with dinner at the Canoe Place Inn & Cottages – once a Hamptons haven for icons from the Roosevelts to Babe Ruth, a timeless John Hardy Icon Chain bracelet and more.
For more than 25 years, Hudson River Park has transformed this once-deteriorated waterfront into green spaces, athletic facilities, eateries, playgrounds and other magical corners, attracting businesses and families to the far West Side and boosting the local economy, while embodying New York City’s spirit of constant innovation, reinvention and rebirth.
Hudson River Park is NOT a City-run park. It is a unique public-private partnership in which NYC and NYS resources support the Park’s construction and continued development, while private funds from businesses within the Park and from individual donors support its vital operations, maintenance and free public programs.
With the Park so close to completion, now more than ever Friends is focused on ensuring that all four miles of land, piers and water stay clean, blue, green and beautiful for millions of visitors to enjoy, in partnership with its public counterpart, the Hudson River Park Trust.
Gala Co-Chairs for the evening include Diana L. Taylor & Michael R. Bloomberg, Kara & Patrick Dennis, Emily Yoder & Morgan Johnson, Sarah & Sean Lambert, Erica & Sam Martini and Krista & Mike Nickols.
The 2026 Gala Host Committee includes Susanna B. Aaron & Gary Ginsberg, Anthony Borelli, Kaija & Peter Braus, Ben Brown, Euxhenia Hodo, Mark Krivelevich, Brandon Price, Julia E. Schmidt, Haley & David Schwartz, Ronald A. Treveloni, Jr. and David Zussman.
The 2026 Gala Honorary Committee includes Matt Bomer and Simon Halls, Andy Cohen, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Lea DeLaria, Hugh Jackman, Lucy Liu, Desi Lydic, Hannah Pham and Ronny Chieng, Martin Short and Martha Stewart.
A heartfelt thanks to our exceptional 2026 Honorees, Citi; Gansevoort Square Partners, led by Douglaston Development with team members Kinwood Partners, CetraRuddy, and MVRDV; and Ryan Serhant, Founder & CEO of SERHANT.
About Hudson River Park: Hudson River Park extends from Chambers Street to W 59th Street along Manhattan’s west side, making it one of the longest riverfront parks in the United States and an important outdoor recreational area for countless New Yorkers. The Park plays a critical role in protecting the Hudson River ecosystem and is committed to educating residents on the local habitat and environment. Hudson River Park is NOT a City-run park. It is a unique public-private partnership using NYC and NYS resources to fund the design and construction of the Park, while private funds from businesses within the Park and from individual donors support its vital operations, maintenance and 400+ free public programs.
About Hudson River Park Friends: Hudson River Park Friends is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the completion, care, enhancement and ongoing sustainability of Hudson River Park. Serving as the Park’s designated fundraising and advocacy partner, Hudson River Park Friends generates necessary private support to guarantee that this vital destination for millions of park lovers continues to flourish and grow. For more information about Hudson River Park, please visit hudsonriverpark.org.
