20 May 2020
NYC Parks Department and San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department has announced that on Thursday 21st May, New York City & San Francisco will ‘Go Green’ in tribute to essential park workers around the world with the co-ordinated up-lighting of several of their city’s most iconic buildings.
The Empire State Building, the historic NYC Parks' Arsenal building , Washington Square Arch and many more, will be illuminated in a mark of respect for all of the people – staff and volunteers - involved in park management, maintenance and development that have played a key role in keeping parks open, safe and accessible throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
And in San Francisco - City Hall, Coit Tower, Conservatory, and also possibly Salesforce Tower, the city’s tallest building will also glow green at dusk.
Around the world, park workers and volunteers have continued to maintain parks in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors during the current pandemic and #GoingGreenForParkies is the ultimate acknowledgement and thank you for all their hard work. The lighting will take place this week, Thursday, May 21 at sunset (approximately 8:12 p.m. EDT)
NYC Parks Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP said:
“More than ever, city parks and greenspaces have proven to be critical infrastructure, places of refuge, and park workers have been on the frontlines keeping these sanctuaries of sanity open here in New York, across the country and around the world”
“In honor of the tremendous work they put in every day, we are proud to work with the Empire State Building to light New York City green in honor of parkies near and far!”
Photo: Washington Square Arch (Credit: NYC Parks)
The historic Arsenal building is home to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the Arsenal Gallery, the City Parks Foundation, the Historic House Trust, and the New York Wildlife Conservation Society and sits within the South Eastern corner of Central Park. The building actually predates the creation of the park - built between 1847 and 1851 whereas the purchase of land for Central Park did not take place until 2 years later.
International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award, Carl McClean said:
“Central Park is viewed by many people in the parks community worldwide as a shining beacon for the benefits of green space within the urban context. It’s inspiring to see New York City Parks harnessing the power of iconic New York buildings to pay tribute to park workers and volunteers from all over the world.”
In addition to the five lightings, NYC Parks is putting out a call to those who love greenspaces - the smallest to the largest - to wear green when visiting their favourite park this Thursday, and to share a thank you on social media platforms using #GoingGreenForParkies. Parks will share the love by featuring shoutouts on its social media channels @NYCParks for both Twitter and Instagram.
You can also use the Twitter handle @GreenFlagAwdInt or @greenflagaward for Instagram and our social media team will also Retweet your shares!
#GoingGreenForParkies
