Contact: Patrice Ingrassia 917 378 2558
FRIENDS OF THE ROCKEFELLER PRESERVE TO CELEBRATE THEIR 20 th
ANNIVERSARY,HONOR PHELPS HOSPITAL
Bette Midler, Robert Klein and David Rockefeller Provide Leadership Support For
This Natural and Cultural Treasure
POCANTICO HILLS, N.Y.(November 25, 2016) – Celebrating 20 years of raising funds
and awareness to support the Rockefeller State Park Preserve (FRSPP), the Friends of the
Preserve are hosting a gala to mark the anniversary on Saturday evening December 10.
The gala dinner will be held at 6pm at the Rockefeller estate Playhouse, a Normandy-English
style unique structure designed by Duncan Candler in 1927.
Honorary chairpersons include award-winning actress, singer and passionate advocate of
the environment, Bette Midler, as well as philanthropists and park supporters David
Rockefeller and Ann Rockefeller Roberts. Robert Klein, the legendary comedian, will share
his wit as MC of the evening.
“We are happy to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Friends over the past 20
years,” commented Clare Pierson, President of the Friends Board. “At the same time, we
always need to create public awareness of the need to participate in supporting this natural
treasure, and to be sure we are ahead of its next need that the State is not able to fund.”
Daniel Blum, President and CEO of Phelps Hospital/Northwell Health, will be on hand to
accept an award honoring Phelps’ longstanding support of the Friends. The hospital’s
relationship with the Rockefeller family dates back to the early 20th century. In fact, Phelps
could not have opened in 1956 without their generous financial support.”
Blum commented, “The Preserve is a natural and cultural treasure. The Friends have been
a vital force that has enabled visitors to walk, run and ride safely on the famous carriage
roads of the park preserve. I am truly honored to be associated with this accomplishment
and their ongoing goal of carriage road restoration. Both Phelps and the Friends place a high
value on the health and well-being of our community.”
The Preserve has more than 1,400 acres of Hudson Valley vistas and trails and serves as a
sanctuary for people seeking recreation and reflection. A highly popular preserve, it is
situated in a tranquil landscape featuring 32 miles of carriage roads that traverse acres of
woodlands, fields, wetlands, stone arch bridges over waterways and beautiful views of the
Hudson River. It attracts more than 300,000 visitors from around the world annually and
has been designated by the National Audubon Society as an “Important Bird Area” given the
180 bird species there.
The carriage roads were designed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to preserve the natural beauty
of the area while providing an environment to be enjoyed by everyone. The Preserve is a
501(c) 3 nonprofit that was formed in 1983, when 1600 acres of the family estate were
deeded to New York State as a gift from the Rockefeller family
Since the Friends organization was started, select milestones over 20 years include:

During the recent economic downturn, the Friends’ funding assistance enabled the
Preserve to maintain its basic infrastructure

In 2006, the Friends established an Endowment Fund to perpetuate the maintenance
and improvement of the Preserve

Expansion of the Preserve and building of new trails

Existing trails, such as the Equestrian Access trail, restored on an ongoing basis and
after Super Storm Sandy and significant weather
events

Vital maintenance, including leaf blowing, lawn cutting and extensive work to repair
drains throughout the Preserve and keep them clear

Publishing a master carriage road manual

A wide variety of educational and artistic programs were mounted for adults and
children

The Preserve Master Plan was updated

An important Biodiversity Study of the Preserve and Family Lands was conducted

Underwriting the printing of the map of the Preserve used by visitors and publishing
the Preserve Observer on a quarterly basis

Caring for and enhancing the famous peony garden with new plantings for more
winter color and texture.
The Friends was established in memory of Peggy Rockefeller, the wife of David Rockefeller,
who during her lifetime was dedicated to the beautiful terrain in Pocantico Hills.
“David continues to be incredibly generous to the Preserve,” Clare Pierson noted. “In 2015
he donated $4 million to establish an operating endowment supporting the Preserve and
announced he plans to donate approximately 500 additional acres of pastures, hayfields and
forest to the Preserve in the future. This is one of the largest-ever private donations in the
history of the state park system, and we are grateful for this support.”
The Friends operate as part of a private-public partnership with the New York State
Department of Parks, the New York State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation, and the Preserve staff.
Phelps Hospital, part of the Northwell Health system, is located in close proximity to the
Preserve. It has long supported the Friends fundraising events, including their annual trail
running races, Peony celebration and equestrian events.
The gala committee consists of George Gumina, Patrice Ingrassia, Robert Lane, Carol Lyden,
John Manuele, Estela Medina, Claire Pierson and Kimberly Rockefeller, all Board Members of
the Friends.
For more information on the Friends or to purchase tickets, visit [email protected] or
call 914.762.0209.
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