Press Release

May 23, 2019

Playground Partners of the Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee Celebrates 27th Annual Family Party, Sponsored by Nordstrom

Playground family party 2019

L to R: Susannah Rose, Austen Cruz, Jenna Bush Hager, Ashley Carlson and Margo M. Nederlander

New York (May 22, 2019) — More than 1,200 parents and children gathered together on a warm and sunny day at Central Park’s beloved Heckscher Playground on Wednesday, May 22, for the Playground Partners 27th Annual Family Party, hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy. Generously sponsored by Nordstrom, the family-friendly fundraiser featured a lively afternoon of interactive games, music, and entertainment. The event raised $350,000 to support Playground Partners’ mission to keep Central Park’s 21 playgrounds safe, clean, and well-maintained.

Hosted at Central Park’s largest and oldest playground, the fundraiser is the only event of the year held inside a Central Park playground, offering a unique opportunity for New York City families to engage with their local community.

Today Show co-anchor, author, and journalist Jenna Bush Hager and husband Henry Hager served as the 2019 Honorary Chairs. Party Co-Chairs were Ashley M. Carlson, Austen Cruz, Margo M. Nederlander, Susannah Rose, and Sarah J. Wetenhall. Playground Partners Co-Chairs Whitney Mogavero and Elizabeth Villar were joined by Women’s Committee President Alexia Leuschen and Elizabeth W. Smith, President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy.

Benefit Committee members and notable guests included Katherine Birch, Anne Black, Shirin Christoffersen, Sana Clegg, Ainsley Earhardt, Amandine Freidheim, Samantha Gellert, Gillian Hearst, Lauren Kenny, Karen LeFrak, Clémence von Mueffling, Stefano Tonchi, Chris Wanlass, Gigi Stone Woods, and Margaret Zakarian.

The event featured a variety of activities for children ages six months to 10 years old, including puppet shows and a photo-op with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, stroller parking by Nuna Baby Essentials, planting station with Nordstrom and Native Shoes, cupcake decorating by Sprinkles Cupcakes, chess games with Chess at Three, basketball with Fastbreak Sports, sand art with Craft Studio, soccer with Super Soccer Stars, and music with Juliette & Ella’s Playdate.

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IMAGES FOR DOWNLOAD (Photo Credit- BFA.com/Mike Vitelli/Zach Hilty): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kju8k2ek8uxwu7r/AAD86pQBRKgp8OKVwrsvsiSKa?d