Program areas at Madison Square Park Conservancy
The Madison Square Park Conservancy raises the funds that support the horticulture, Park maintenance, Park security and a variety of free cultural programs for all ages. The Conservancy funds approximately 98% of the cost of Park maintenance and 100% of the cost of security and cultural programs. Approximately 60,000 pedestrians flow through Madison Square Park on a given weekday.our mission is to protect, nurture, and enhance Madison Square Park, a dynamic seven-acre public green space, creating an environment that fosters moments of inspiration. As stewards, we strive to engage the community through our beautiful gardens, inviting amenities, and world-class programming. We believe that in an urban setting everyone deserves access to a Park that allows for recreation, respite, and reflection.
Park capital improvements:madison Square Park started the campaign for Madison Square Park in 2017 and will support Park improvement and tree fund. Since its restoration 20 years ago, our jewel of a Park has become a welcome respite and vibrant inspiration for more than 3.5 million visitors each year - but its popularity also drains resources and strains infrastructure. Mounting operational challenges include garbage, recycling, and pest management. Unsightly deterioration of aging hardscape (pavers and curbstones), fencing, and monuments is the result of decades of wear and tear from footsteps and weather. Insufficient electrical supply creates logistical challenges and inconveniences forusers. The dog run is not equipped to handle the enthusiasm, waste, and variance in sizes of its canine fans. Finally, one-third of the Park's trees will reach the end of their natural lives within the next 20 years, making succession planning an urgent need.
Public art has the ability to enrich, to fascinate, and to astonish. Since 2004, the mad. Sq. Art program has been partnering with acclaimed, visionary artists to realize outdoor work on a monumentalscale, work that complements and enhances the environment. These projects are free to the public and have made Madison Square Park a world-renowned cultural destination. In 2022, the Conservancy featuredexhibitions by christina iglesias and hugh hayden with on-site and virtual programming.
Sustainability:setting new standards for sustainability is essential for our Park and our planet. We see the effects of climate change every day in our Park. We are committed to becoming leaders in sustainable practices. Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions, protect the Park's delicate ecosystem, and inspire innovation that extends beyond our borders.