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Parks & Public Spaces
Applications from Madison Square Park Conservancy for Annual Roster of Programming in 2021
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2021, the following resolution passed with a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 4 abstaining:
WHEREAS, Madison Square Park Conservancy ("Applicant") has submitted applications for their annual roster of programming for 2021;
WHEREAS, Applicant has submitted applications for a scaled-back annual roster of programming for 2021, which has been limited as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic such that the standard roster of events (e.g., the children’s music events, arts programming and celebratory days) as compared to prior years is much more modest and subject to change pending developments in the mitigation and abatement of the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the following roster of programming, public art exhibits and events are currently scheduled for 2021:
Madison Square Art Programming
- Maya Lin Ghost Forest Public Art Exhibition scheduled for June 7 through November 28, 2021, an educational public art exhibit by the renowned architect consisting of a simulated pine forest that will call attention to environmental issues confronting the Pine Barrens habitat to be placed in the Park Oval;
- Programs for Art Talks, Music on the Green, and Sound Walk to be conducted in a manner and place consistent with past years events of a similar nature.
Madison Square Horticultural Public Programing
- Pine Barrens Garden Display, which will be held from mid-May through September, will have planting of pine barrens to supplement the Maya Lin Display; and
- Public Volunteer Days, which will be held with appropriate social distancing protocols; and
- “Open Green” lawn access seven days a week from mid-May through September; and
- Seasonal Garden Display across the park; and
- Trees and Shrubs, for which the Applicant will participate in a program consisting of the planting of 1,000 Trees and Shrubs across the 5 Boroughs to help improve the condition and status of parks across New York City.
Madison Square Sustainability
- The Madison Square Sustainability Program, a practical program of education, maintenance, and informational exchange with the goal of making Madison Square Park a leader in environmental sustainability by both educating and involving the Public as the Park is maintained and managed.
WHEREAS, Applicant will advise CB5 of any changes or additions to the roster of programming, as conditions permit;
WHEREAS, Applicant reported that it will continue with its approach to reduce the total number of events as well as the footprint for many events; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the nature of the programming is greatly to the public's benefit, and will continue to improve public access to Madison Square Park on event days from prior years; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has committed to return to Community Board Five to separately discuss any additional marketing or commercial events in 2021, subject to Community Board Five's standard review process and public hearings; and
WHEREAS, There is long-standing precedent for these events in Madison Square Park, and Community Board Five has found a significant amount of support for these events from residents and stakeholders in the community; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has agreed that if there are any material changes to any event from previous years (i.e., signage, set-up, scale, location, and/or ancillary activities), they will return and present these changes to Community Board Five; and
WHEREAS, When presenting future event applications, Applicant will clearly state whether or not these events are occurring concurrently with previously approved special events; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the applications from Madison Square Park Conservancy for their annual roster of programming for 2021.