A Birthday Garden Grows on the LES
By Henry Street Settlement
Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses; David Garza, Executive Director of Henry Street Settlement; Richard Abrons; Gerard Lordahl, Director of Greening Program at GrowNYC; Iris Abrons; Lenny Librizzi, Director of Green Infrastructure, GrowNYC; Andrew Schinderman
On Wednesday evening, as the sky cleared following a day of rain, a group of individuals – young and old, from uptown and downtown – gathered at the corner of Avenue D and East Sixth Street to unveil the new Richard Abrons Community Garden, a gift from Henry Street Settlement, GrowNYC and United Neighborhood Houses, on the occasion of Richard’s 90th birthday.
Nearly 70 children from the Settlement’s after-school programs were on hand for the ceremony, where Richard was lauded by David Garza, Executive Director of Henry Street; Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses; and Gerard Lordahl, Director of Open Space Greening at GrowNYC.
Following the ribbon cutting, the youngsters presented Richard with a king’s crown and scepter, which he wore as the ceremony continued inside the 80 Avenue D Cornerstone site, where the Settlement runs programs for youth and adults. As the newly crowned king held court, surrounded by his family, the children made presentations for each decade of Richard’s life. After a rousing round of the happy birthday song, and goodie bags provided by GrowNYC, cupcakes were enjoyed by all.
The new garden gives life and beauty (and vegetables!) to the space which had been neglected for decades. The gift of the garden was inspired by Richard’s family foundation which has created 93 green spaces throughout the city.
Richard, a playwright and philanthropist, is vice chairman and past president of Henry Street’s board, a director at GrowNYC and a director emeritus at United Neighborhood Houses. He retired as managing director of First Manhattan Co., an investment management firm he helped found.
Long live the king!
