VIDEO: Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raises over $1 million at annual ball

October 5, 2018 By Paul Frangipane Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Board Chairman Mark Baker, left, gives cheers to honoree Marcus Wainwright. Eagle photos by Paul Frangipane

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Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosted its sixth annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball on Pier 2 of the park Thursday night, raising $1.27 million and honoring two people who have contributed to the waterfront greenery.

Proceeds from the ball directly supported the conservancy’s over 500 free and low-cost activities.

“Please accept our gratitude for helping us bring environmental education, artistic cultural programs and active recreation to more than 140,000 kids and families throughout New York City,” Mark Baker, the conservancy board’s chairman, told the crowd.

The conservancy honored Marcus Wainwright, CEO and founder of the fashion label, Rag & Bone and Brooklyn resident at the start of the night for his support to the conservancy and his commitment to the city’s arts.

“I watched this park being built and it was amazing to watch it come to life,” Wainwright said. “It’s a huge honor for me, I’m really proud to be here to support the park and the conservancy.”

Nancy Bowe, who served as the conservancy’s board chairwoman from 2011 to 2016 was later honored for her nearly 20-year involvement in the park.

Bowe shared that one of the biggest issues in the park’s development was how to get enough people to visit to make it safe.

“To me it was always about building a park for all of Brooklyn where everyone would feel welcome,” Bowe said. “I am so proud of what we have grown into. The conservancy’s creative enthusiastic staff and educated passionate board create a menu of educational, recreational and cultural programming to rival any parks anywhere.”

Also at the ball were Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress Rose Byrne and NBA star Mike Dunleavy.

The park conservancy provides programming for park visitors and gathers volunteer support for the park it has worked to bring to life for over 30 years, according to a statement. More than 1,000,000 visitors have taken advantage of the conservancy’s public programs since 2000.

“Whatever we do, we all come to Brooklyn Bridge Park to breathe a little easier, to play and to get a little lost in our extraordinary waterfront park,” said Nancy Webster, executive director of the conservancy. “I want to leave you with three words: joy, wonder and exploration. And these three words I think perhaps best describe the conservancy’s mission to bring dynamic and vibrant programming to our special park.”