Amy Freeze of ABC 7 New York News, recently visited Central Park to report on the new Forever Green campaign. Her visit included going out on a rowboat to tour some of the plans taking shape to return the park to its historic design. She reported that rowing on the open lake in Central Park back in the 1930's was not much different than it is now. She was taken on a tour of the Lake and learned about some of the plans that have and are taking shape to return the park to its historic design.
She met with Doug Blonsky, who leads the Central Park Conservancy efforts to go Forever Green, and learned that the park is one of the most visited spots in the world. Back in 1985 when the Cental Park Conservatory was created, the park recieved about 12 million visitors now there are 42 million vistors each year.
Forever Green is not just about the environmental factor. It's also about money - the annual cost of maintaining the park is $64 million. "The park is funded by people who live around the park. 75 percent of our funds come from people who love the park and use it," said Blonsky. The Forever Green goal is to raise $300 million in the next decade, giving anywhere from $10 to $10 million. The concept with Forever Green is if you build it: "Keep the park beautiful, clean and green for the next generation," said Blonsky.
To read the article in its entirety, along with seeing the news clip that aired on ABC 7 New York, click here.