On Thursday, October 4th, City Parks Foundation hosted its Annual Gala at the historic Gracie Mansion. CPF President Alison Tocci and Board Chair David Moore presented Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris with the 2012 People & Parks Award for their outstanding commitment to the growth and revitalization of NYC parks. TD Bank was recognized with the Green Leaf Award for their corporate dedication to greening in New York City.

City Parks Foundation presents the People & Parks Award annually to a recipient who shares CPF’s commitment to enriching New York City’s parks. Civic stewards, longtime CPF supporters, and local business leaders have been recognized with the Award in celebration of their achievements promoting local

green spaces as essential community resources. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris were presented this award for their unparalleled leadership and investment in New York City parks. Under their guidance, we have seen the largest era of expansion in our park system since the 1930’s – gaining nearly 3,000 acres of park land with $5.4 billion in capital improvements over the past 10 years. Because of their commitment, New Yorkers now have more parks than ever before, which means more places to enjoy positive, healthy activities like CPF’s free sports and fitness programs, live music, dance, and theater at free SummerStage shows, our education offerings, and more.

CPF President Alison Tocci, First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CPF Board Chair David Moore

CPF also presented TD Bank with the Green Leaf Award for their longstanding support of CPF programming and citywide green initiatives. Accepting the Award was Chris Giamo, Regional President for TD Bank’s Metro New York Market, who along with other TD Bank

employees will plant hundreds of trees throughout October in urban communities through the TD Tree Days program. Within a year, the bank will protect an area of forest larger than Central Park as part of the TD Forests initiative. TD Bank is the largest U.S.-based bank to be carbon neutral by constructing energy-efficient buildings, lowering its energy consumption, and purchasing enough renewable energy credits to offset 100 percent of the bank’s annual electricity needs.

CPF Board Chair David Moore, TD Bank Regional President Chris Giamo, CPF President Alison Tocci

Aside from the awards presentations, guest enjoyed a cocktail hour inside Gracie Mansion where they bid on silent auction items and listened to the delightful sounds of the Dance of Raijin band.  Following cocktails, guests moved out to the tent where a delicious seasonal dinner was served by Great Performances.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this another successful event!

Gracie Mansion

Guests seated inside the dinner tent

For more photos from the evening, visit our Facebook and Flickr pages.