Bringing out a unique cross-section of New York City denizens, the Central Park Conservancy served up an unforgettable Night in the Emerald City while raising $1.3M for the park. We grabbed a camera and went uptown.

Photo Journal: A Night in the Emerald City with the Central Park Conservancy

The evening constituted a dinner, performance, dancing, and an after party. Image: Ben Schmidt

Completely and totally a park for the people, it’s no surprise that Central Park Conservancy’s Annual Gala draws a varied crowd. The park has rewarded its many visitors with romantic strolls, challenging hikes, restful lawns, and scenic views since 1858. Deeply democratic, the park’s most regular visitors have become gardeners, docents, volunteers, amateur performers, park barbers, and more. The park has been the site of large scale art installations, serves as the current finishing line for the New York Marathon, and even hosts productions of Shakespeare and a film festival. All of these stories are enabled by the generosity of the people who support it directly through programs like the Annual Gala, as the park is free and open to the public 356 days of the year.

Ellie Lehman and Katie Barna attend the Central Park Conservancy Annual Gala. Image: Ben Schmidt

To that end, more than 400 guests descended upon the park in the evening, all gliding in their most dazzling attire toward towering trees bathed in green light. A narrow doorway led guests into the Emerald City itself, through an entry framed by larger-than-life sculpted flowers and into a dining room adorned in emerald tones and glittering décor. Entertainment was presented by Wicked in honor of the show’s 20th anniversary on Broadway, featuring Talia Suskauer and Kara Lindsay. Guests for the evening included long-time Conservancy supporter Martha Stewart, Judy Hart Angelo, Bonnie Comley & Stewart Lane, Kate & Andrew Davis, Andra & John Ehrenkranz, Fe & Alessandro Fendi and many others.

Unique to the Central Park Conservancy is the vast and extremely active Young Associates group, which conducts its own set of volunteering and community programming. Known as the Greensward Circle, this membership network of young professionals aged 21-39 are passionate about the preservation of Central Park and support its ongoing restoration and maintenance through volunteering and philanthropy. They also happen to know how to throw a party. After 9pm, the gala shed some of its formality in exchange for a spirited celebration hosted by the Greensward Circle.

The Young Associates portion of the evening was co-chaired by Zachary Weiss, Ivy Getty, Jeremy A. Batoff, Savannah Engel, Eric Goldie, and Beverly Nyugen. Lingering conversations at the dinner tables transitioned to dancing with On the Move Entertainment providing a live performance.

Alexandra Zaleski, Lauren Kiana, and Regine Thervil attend the Central Park Conservancy Annual Gala. Image: Ben Schmidt

Guests to attend the young associates reception included Brittany Beyer Harwin, Mercedes de Guardiola, Katie McCurdy, Ian Malone, Madelynn Matichak, Madeline O’Malley, Regine Thervil and more.

Natalie Stange and Linda MacKinnon attend the Central Park Conservancy Annual Gala. Linda is a volunteer docent at Central Park and founder of Grab Your Group and Go. Image: Ben Schmidt

The crowd followed the dress code nicely with the difficult balance of creativity and commitment. An impressive mix of literal green garments paired nicely with a wide variety of interpretations of the dress code of “Dazzling”, ranging from jewel-toned tweed and sequins to satin and silk. Plenty of diamonds to go around, pearls also made a strong appearance, perhaps appealing to the historic nature of the gala which is nearing its 45th anniversary.

The evening was presented by Harry Winston. Image: Ben Schmidt

Chukwuma Orji and Jeff McHugh. Image: Ben Schmidt

For the gentlemen: given the evening was not strictly black tie (though the most traditional will always attend a dinner like this in, at the very least, a tuxedo), royal blue came in good numbers, paired with statement ties and accessories that brought a hint of theme to the look. Part of the pleasure of this particular gala is its liberation and air of relaxation, which happens to be exactly what the park itself tries to offer its visitors.

Catering was provided by Abigail Kirsch. Image: Ben Schmidt

Not pictured: The chaotic after party in the microscopic Pebble Bar in midtown, where William Grant & Sons cocktails were served including a Yellow Brick Rob Roy and an Emerald City Gin Martini.