|
Coalition 2009 Annual Meeting Wrapup
High Line and LWGT Topics; Donors and Press Respond
High
Line co-founder Hammond tells Coalition members how a competition
attracted 800 designs from around the world, including a roller
coaster and mile-long wading pool.
High Line Co-founder Robert Hammond Elevates Coalition Profile
Oct. 25. Robert Hammond, co-founder
with Joshua David of Friends of the High Line, gave an inspirational
talk to Embankment supporters at the Embankment Preservation
Coalition's 2009 Annual Members Meeting. He showed several of the
more amusing designs submitted for the elevated rail park, and
told the audience that even anti-preservationists unwittingly
helped save the site, if only by keeping the issue on the public
radar through opposition advertising--publicity the Friends could never
have afforded.
Joins Coalition Advisory Board
Hammond agreed to join the Embankment
Preservation Coalition's Advisory Board, and is already working with us
to bring more regional attention to our National-Register-eligible
historic site.
Drums Up Dollars
As Hammond was preaching
to the converted, his surprise offer to match $25 memberships or
donations during the meeting was enthusiastically received.
Along with a generous contribution from a
neighborhood organization and subsequent contributions from
those who couldn't attend or who had no cash or checks handy, these
donations were a rousing start to the Coalition's annual
membership and fund drive. (If you would like to join the
Coalition or renew your membership, please send in the membership form with your check. You can also use Paypal.)
Blogs About the Embankment and Coalition
 Upon his return to Manhattan, Hammond wrote about seeing the Embankment for the first time , saying he was "blown away" by its "untouched beauty."
Curbed, the NYC-vicinity real estate web site, also picked up the news and generated some comments.
A
life-long resident of Jersey City, David Cruz, editor, reporter, former
WBGO talk show host and stand-in for Brian Lehrer of NPR, brought
praise for Embankment supporters to new heights, so to speak: "...the
6th Street Embankment is becoming that symbolic line in the sand in the
battle to save our city's soul. I ain't kiddin'." See his blog and the comments it generated.
Friends of the High Line is the grassroots
organization that spearheaded the preservation of a
mile-and-a-half-long elevated railroad along the west side of Manhattan
for a linear park. The Friends have raised tens of millions of
dollars for the High Line park, and have a contract with the City of
New York to maintain it. The first segment of the High Line
opened in June 2009 to international acclaim, and has
since welcomed a million visitors.
Marano Reports on Statewide Trail
Liberty-Water Gap Trail to Align with East Coast Greenway
Oct. 25. Steve Marano,
a resident of Nutley, is determined to complete a
165-mile-long urban-suburban-rural hiking trail from Liberty
State Park to the Delaware Water Gap (Liberty-Water Gap Trail, or
LWGT), and is seeking support from local residents. The draft
plan for the trail in Jersey City aligns in part with the Hudson River
Waterfront Walkway, the East Coast Greenway, and the
Embankment. Options take in more of the Downtown
National Historic Districts. See the draft route at the LWGT web site.
Marano reported that
he has been working with Jersey City and Hudson County
planners, historic preservationists, trail advocates, and others to
determine the best route and signage. He is also asking
local residents to let their Council representatives know they
support this project.
In 2002 a reporter walked the entire trail from east to west. Click on his blog to read about his travels.
Steve Marano of Liberty-Water Gap Trail seeks local support for trail completion.
Thank You for Annual Meeting Support
We appreciate our business sponsors (see panel
below), the volunteers who got the word out and helped us set up
and clean up, and the many attendees who reached into their
pockets to give us financial support. Thank you to Grace Church
Van Vorst, which lent us its beautiful space and provided
other help, and to Pro Arts, whose exhibit added to our
enjoyment. |
Please support the businesses that support our community!
