The Central Park Conservancy lost one of its most fervent supporters and influential figures with the passing of Ira Millstein on March 13, 2024. Ira was a Life Trustee, Chairman of the Board (1991–1999), a devoted supporter of the Conservancy's Women’s Committee, and a champion of Central Park as an iconic and essential part of the city he loved. A native New Yorker, Ira fondly recalled the Central Park of his youth as his “playground” in an interview for The New York Times. That affection and affinity for the Park only amplified with time.
Ira Millstein was a tireless champion of Central Park, and his unwavering dedication made an indelible mark on the heart of the city loved.
Ira’s commitment to Central Park was instrumental in revitalizing the Park after its most severe period of neglect and decline following the City’s near bankruptcy in the 1970s. He went on to advise the Conservancy as it navigated its massive investment in the Park’s restoration and its evolution into one of the City’s most impactful public-private partnerships. Under his guidance, the first contract between the Central Park Conservancy and the City of New York was formalized in 1998, and he continued to serve as a trusted advisor to Conservancy leadership as it grappled with the challenges of managing the Park’s enormous popularity.
Ira oversaw a number of significant projects in the Park’s history during his tenure as Chairman of the Board. A dedicated advocate for diversity and the power of bringing people together in service of a common goal, he worked tirelessly with the late Reverend Calvin Butts and other leaders of the Harlem community in the 1990s. Together, they welcomed surrounding communities into the Park and spearheaded improvements to the Park’s north end that continue to take shape today.
Ira Millstein, center, at the opening of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in 1993.
In addition to his service to Central Park, Ira was a distinguished lawyer, professor, and author. He was a senior partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and the founding chair of the Ira M. Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership at Columbia Law School.
Ira will forever be remembered as an esteemed member of the Central Park Conservancy family. His commitment to Central Park over his lifetime has been essential in making it the beloved landmark it is today. He has left an indelible mark on New York City’s prized greenspace, and we will miss him.
Suggested Reading
-
About the Conservancy
Preserving Central Park’s Art: The Rising Generation of Monument Conservators
Central Park has an extensive collection of historic features, statues, and monuments, including Alice in Wonderland, Balto, and tributes to Shakespeare, John Lennon, and Duke Ellington. Discover how the Central Park Conservancy preserves them all.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Rustic Architecture / History / Highlights / Staff Picks / Art Lovers / Architecture / Landscapes
-
Park History
The History, Design, and Care of Central Park’s Iconic Benches
There are four distinct styles of Central Park benches, each with their own story to tell about New York City’s urban oasis. Learn about their history, their dedicated plaques, how to identify each design, and how the Central Park Conservancy maintains all 10,000 benches.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / History / Architecture / Landscape Design / Landscapes / Restoration and Maintenance
-
Restoration and Maintenance
Hand-in-Hand with Harlem: The Conservancy's Four-Decade Restoration of Central Park's North End
In the 1980s, the Conservancy turned its attention to the Harlem Meer and went on to address the needs of Central Park’s north end over the next four decades. Throughout all of this work, the communities surrounding the Park have been vital partners in the care and maintenance of their backyard.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Playgrounds
-
Park History
Portals in Time: The Story of Central Park’s Named Gates
Central Park has 20 named gates, spread around the Park’s six-mile perimeter. Most of these gates are named to honor the people and professions—merchants, artisans, inventors—that made up the City in the 1860s. Learn how these named gates came to be, and how they reflect the intention that the City’s premier greenspace should be a place that celebrates all New Yorkers.
Tags: Park Design / History
