What We Fund

Fort Tryon Park celebrated its 85th Anniversary Year in 2020. Donations and Membership contributions to the Fort Tryon Park Trust help us provide the essential private funding needed to close the gaps in what NYC Parks is able to provide for this NYC Scenic Landmark Park and its unique architectural and horticultural assets. Donor support enables us to undertake the following park preservation and repair work, and more:
  • Horticulture – The Fort Tryon Park Trust pays for dedicated staffing, supplies, equipment, and plants to complement the resources of NYC Parks and preserve the splendor of Fort Tryon Park and its gardens.
  • Heather Garden – Our Framework Plan tackles recurring soil problems, identifying ways to open up and frame views, expand existing perennial groupings, and incorporate small shrubs at key locations to create more structure and cohesion. The approach will help minimize ongoing maintenance of the garden and preserve its romantic feel and otherworldly aura.
  • Alpine Garden – The Trust reclaimed the historic Alpine Garden along the slopes that cascade from The Met Cloisters to Broadway, reinstating water service, installing thousands of plants, and revealing historic foot path staircases, creating a magical experience for the park visitor.
  • Elm Trees – We protect the park’s 48, 100+-year-old historic trees from Dutch elm disease with a biennial inoculation treatment schedule. This treatment program costs $50,000+ per cycle and is entirely funded with private donations.
  • Stone Wall Infrastructure – The Trust offers an ongoing the “Fortify the Fort” fundraising campaign to provide funding for restoration of several sections of the park’s 9 miles of historic and aging stone walls.
  • Billings Arcade Reclamation Project – The Trust dedicated $125,000 in funding to reclaim the Billings Arcade, the park’s oldest structure, and its surrounding landscapes. We hired a contractor to bring in equipment to remove invasive vines that have been threatening the structure’s integrity and choking trees. We funded new plantings to support the slope and a weekly invasive plant species removal volunteer crew and the necessary tools and equipment.
  • Playground Reconstruction – The Trust contributed $350,000 toward reconstructing Jacob K. Javits Playground (full cost: $3.1M). Javits hadn’t been renovated for over 25 years and work could not start without the private funding from our supporters.
  • Volunteers/Park Stewardship – We support approximately 4,000 volunteer hours each year, including individuals, gardening committees, and large corporate groups – and the tools, equipment, and staff overtime for these events.
  • Public Programming – We transform the park into an arts venue, natural classroom, and outdoor gym through 300 dynamic, free, year-round programs for adults and children. This includes performances such as Marjorie Eliot’s Jazz Ensemble and Scandia Symphony concerts, festivals like the Harvest Festival, Community Egg Hunt, Urban Wildlife Festival, and Medieval Festival. The Trust offers naturalist tours and events, informing park visitors of the abundant flora, fauna, and geology of Fort Tryon Park and beyond, as well as historical programs about its role during New York City’s revolutionary, estate, and WPA eras. We help park visitors get “Fit at the Fort” through Sunset Yoga, Parent & Me Yoga, Tai Chi, and Morning Fitness programs.
  • Broadway Greeting Gardens & Promenade – NYC Parks has helped us restore the landscape along the park perimeter and adjacent slopes. The Fort Tryon Park Trust supports regular beautification days along the park’s Broadway side during the months of March through November each year.
  • Sir William’s Dog Run – We provided $100,000 in funding for the Dog Run Improvement Project for a private contractor to overhaul the area with erosion control and stabilization measures and new fencing. We also provide regular Stewardship Days, maintenance, upgrades, and community events for dogs and their owners at Manhattan’s largest dog run. We continue to advocate with elected officials and NYC Parks for the restoration of water service to the area (a $1M City Capital Project).
  • Cabrini Woods – Via our public-private partnership, the Fort Tryon Park Trust and NYC Parks restored large sections of the former entrance area to the Billings Estate along the southwest quadrant of the park. Interpretive signage, fence upgrades, children’s educational materials, and guided naturalist tours have been held to complement NYC’s $900,000 restoration.
  • Fort Washington Subway Terrace Revitalization – For the past several years, the Trust has built upon the Friends Committee’s stewardship of this area; planting trees and bulbs, clearing vines, restoring ping pong tables, and offering engaging public programming. With ongoing support from Con Ed, we have a construction contractor lined up to install a GaGa pit (Israeli handball) to replace the old bocce court.

Help sustain this beloved public NYC park and consider making a donation of any amount HERE! We rely on contributions from our local community and all visitors to preserve and enhance Fort Tryon Park, which will help sustain the park as a regional natural treasure for years to come.

You can support the park and honor a loved one by dedicating a tree or landscaped section of the park. Donations endow a section of the park for the long term and ensures that it receives ongoing upkeep.

A large donation or Legacy Gift to the park could transform or restore vistas and stone walls and provide more safe and clean areas. To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact our Executive Director (212) 795-1388 or [email protected]. Your contribution is tax deductible within the limits prescribed by law.

If you prefer to make your contribution by mail, please make checks payable to City Parks Foundation (our fiscal sponsor) and write “Fort Tryon Park Trust” on the memo line:

Fort Tryon Park Trust
P.O. Box 1044
Fort George Station
New York, NY 10040

Thank you for your support in sustaining our beloved Scenic Landmark!