BIENNIAL REPORT 2017-2019
Dear Friends of Mill River Park Collaborative, The theme of this annual report is commitment. That term is often tossed around cavalierly, but at Mill River Park we take it very seriously. When the City of Stamford entrusted this project to the Mill River Park Collaborative in 2003, it was the first time the City had entered into a public/private partnership for a city-owned project. The City committed its most visible and potentially impactful public works project to a newly formed non-profit organization. We in turn committed to making it happen. We believe we have delivered on that commitment and exceeded the City’s and our own expectations of what could be achieved, in a relatively short time span. The Collaborative committed to raising significant private funds for a public park, a daunting prospect; yet, we have fulfilled that commitment, raising to date more than $24 million in private funds to build, sustain and program the Park. And we continue to raise funds for future development. The Collaborative’s focus on creating a vibrant world-class park that would become Stamford’s central park and hub of community activity is a commitment we have worked diligently to achieve. The myriad festivals, cultural activities, athletic and recreational opportunities, and yes, demonstrations, attest to the fact that Mill River Park truly has become our city’s central park. We made an early commitment to connect people and nature. Our educational programs for school children, our high-school-level Stewards program, and our nature walks are some examples of a commitment fulfilled. The advent of the Andrew & Michael Whittingham Discovery Center will open up tremendous new opportunities and resources for environmental awareness and education. The Collaborative has an incredibly dedicated staff and Board of Directors. We take our stewardship of the Park very seriously. Creating a world-class park and managing it so that it is safe, clean, and well programmed is what this organization’s commitment is all about. By making that commitment, we hope we can count on your commitment as well. Thank you,
Arthur Selkowitz Chairman
Dudley N. Williams Jr. President & CEO
Our Commitment to the Community Free Public Programming If connecting people and nature is the Mill River Park Collaborative motto, then community engagement is the beating heart. Friends, family, and even colleagues have their own “why� to meet at our Park. Whatever the reason, we help them create lasting memories. Each year, we welcome more than 15,000 area residents to join us for free or low-cost Park programs. In fact, these fun and fulfilling events serve as an introduction to Mill River Park for many visitors. Our many positive, safe, and engaging activities for the Stamford community are designed to provide numerous opportunities to interact with nature, the Park, and each other. Visitors can enjoy summer weekend movies in the Park, Afro Flow Yoga and Zumba classes, family Halloween trick-or-treating in the Park, and a wide range of child enrichment activities, all free of charge. Whether it means enjoying a winter horse drawn carriage ride, a summer fitness class or a dance party before a sundown movie, our programs are the reason Mill River Park is Stamford’s go-to outdoor center for nature, excitement and recreation!
By the Numbers: FitClub Classes in the Park
75 2,320 FIVE 100% Classes
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participants
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instructors
free to the public
Halloween Party attendees all dressed up for the Trick or Treat Trail.
Our Commitment to Serving As a Gathering Place Mill River Park has evolved into the town commons for Stamford, hosting dozens of events for organizations across the area. From 5K walks for Stamford Public Education Foundation to the St. Jude’s Walk/Run, local and national organizations are taking advantage of the park’s location in the heart of Stamford. Over the past two years, thousands have shown up to March for Our Lives or attend a food festival in the Park.
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The Opening of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center
Our Commitment to Growth Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center Opening In November 2018, we officially opened the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center to the community. The 9,000 sq ft. rink is open 7 days a week for recreational skating. In its first year, almost 14,000 skaters enjoyed the ice.
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The Opening of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Fountain
The Fountain Opening In September 2018, downtown Stamford became a little brighter and wetter with the opening of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Fountain.
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The Back Porch In September of 2018, what was once a pile of gravel along Washington Boulevard, often referred to as Archstone, was transformed into Mill River Park’s Back Porch. Over 500 Diageo corporate volunteers came together to create this wonderful pop-up park, featuring a dog park, bocce court, garden seating and picnic area.
Our Commitment to Excellence The American Planning Association (APA) named Mill River Park as one of five Great Public Spaces on its Great Places in America list for 2018. APA’s Great Places in America program recognizes streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces in the United States that demonstrate exceptional character, quality, and planning—attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country.
Mill River Park: One of the 2018 Great Places in America
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Our Commitment to Connecting People and Nature
Discovering in Family Nature Club
Storytime at the Jaffe Heritage Cherry Tree Grove
Educational Opportunities Some of the foremost problems confronting society in the 21st century are environmental, and these are often exacerbated by accelerating global change such as climate change, land use change, rapid urbanization, ocean acidification, invasive species, and emerging infectious diseases. As the trend toward urbanization continues, it is critical to reconnect people with nature. Urban ecology is an important emerging environmental science field focused on accomplishing this goal. It is the study of living organisms in an urban environment and their relationship to each other, as well as the environmental impacts of the area on these organisms. Our first programs as an organization involved bringing children from the Yerwood Center to the Park to explore the nature in their backyards. Over the ensuing 15 years, our commitment to engaging Stamford’s youth in the urban environment has continued to deepen with a commitment to connecting area students to nature in the heart of our City.
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Stewards
Stewards hard at work cleaning up Mill River
The Mill River Park Collaborative Stewards Program is a paid internship for Stamford teens. Each year the program accepts 25 Stamford teens between the ages of 15 & 18 years old. Stewards spend their summer working in the park learning about conservation management practices, gardening, and everything else that comes with maintaining the park. Additionally, Stewards learn to identify native plant and bird species, discuss contemporary global environmental issues, and participate in career development workshops. The curriculum is built to give the students a broad range of environmental experiences that connect global and local issues.
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Testing the river water
Removing invasive species from the paths
In 2017, the Stewards Program grew from a summer-only internship into a yearround work opportunity. The “after school” Stewards meet once a week during the school year to build on the skills they developed during the summer. They continue to help park staff maintain the grounds during fall and spring, and undertake research projects during winter. In 2018, the Stewards produced a social media campaign that was carried out through Mill River’s social media channels alerting people to global water issues and what they can do to help reduce their personal impacts. Mill River Stewards continues to be one of our core educational programs that is poised for growth and provides life changing experiences for those involved.
The stewards program has brought me a greater respect for wildlife while [teaching me] the basics of environmental science. Through this program I’ve learned everything that goes into maintaining the park, how to identity plants and [how to] reduce my carbon footprint. I like how we talked about climate change, and what countries are doing to lower their carbon emissions, as climate change is a fundamental issue in our world. – Kathrina Exantus (2019 Summer Steward)
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Top and Bottom: Fourth grade students finding native plants on a scavenger hunt
Fourth Grade Program Our Elementary School Program offers an experiential- (hands on learning) environmental, science enrichment class to all Stamford 4th grade students. In the school years of 2017-2018 and 2019 (to date) Mill River Park’s education staff provided Fourth grade students from 8 local elementary schools with a three-part science enrichment program to supplement their elementary science curriculum. This is a total of more than 650 students participating in our science enrichment program each school year.
The students get hands-on experiences identifying native plants on a scavenger hunt and then see the different kinds of plants and animals that live and work together to make Mill River their home. They are so excited to see this right in their own backyard! – Brenda Kugeman, Fourth Grade Teacher, Newfield Elementary
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Finding worms to learn about decomposition
Taking soil samples
Students participate in 3 specially designed classes that enrich, activate, and educate students as they learn about nature – while IN nature. The first session brings students into the park for a native plant scavenger hunt, where students, accompanied by a Mill River educator, search for 20 different native plants and learn about the ecological significance of each native species. Part two, which takes place in the students’ classrooms during the winter, is focused on soil structure, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. The third and final segment of the program is back at the park during the springtime and involves students discovering creatures such as American Eels, crawfish, freshwater clams, Fiddler crabs that call the Mill River home – many of which have only recently returned to the river in recent years as a result of our remediation efforts!
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Summer and Vacation Camps In 2019 the Collaborative began offering Mill River Park Vacation Camp for children ages 4 to 14. These full-day camps provide children with a day of nature and fun during school breaks. Mill River Park Summer Camp in 2019 Building on the success of Vacation Camp, the Collaborative introduced Mill River Park Summer Camp in 2019. Mill River Summer Camp is the only camp that blends traditional summer
Using the buddy system between activities
camp activities with environmental education and recreation in the heart of Stamford.
As a parent of a nine-year-old who’s exploring her interests and finding her way, this summer’s program was a hit. The weekly choices of activities, the daily interactions with diverse children and counselors of all backgrounds and abilities, and the incredible field trips and activities offered to showcase our region were spectacular. – April Wennerstrom, Mill River Day Camp Parent
Amazing animals at the Bronx Zoo Field Trip
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With a focus on urban environmental education, camp incorporated adventure, the arts, recreation, stewardship, cultural & diversity awareness, teamwork, and most of all, fun! In addition to daily “camp-clubs” where campers picked their own activities, there were weekly field trips and many newly-made friendships. In our inaugural year we hosted 86 campers.
With a strong emphasis on equity, the Collaborative
Busting moves in Dance Club
is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of participants. Thanks to generous donors in our first summer of camp, 23% of campers received financial assistance ranging from 25% to 75% reduction in camp fees.
Gardening for Farmer’s Market Week
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Volunteers
Main Street Garden, 2019
Volunteers play an invaluable role in keeping Mill River Park safe, clean, and beautiful. Volunteers are led by Mill River staff, who greet them with the history of the site of Mill River Park dating all the way back to the founding of Stamford. Volunteers learn the significance of each volunteer project and leave with a sense of purpose of how their project fits in the larger, ongoing conservation management plans at the park. Some of our major volunteer projects have included: invasive plant species removal, garden plantings, weeding gardens, paths, and other hardscapes, playground washing, litter cleanup, sapling tree removal, lawn care, meadow plant transplanting, riverbank stabilization, riverbank debris removal, and more. In addition to Corporate volunteer teams we have individuals and small groups who spend countless hours helping the park thrive. Our special team of garden volunteers continue to create, maintain, and perfect the Main Street Garden just next to 1010 Washington Boulevard on Main Street.
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Corporate Partners We welcomed the following corporate volunteers for projects in 2018/2019: Deloitte
AIFS
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
KPMG
XL Catlin
Apple
Viacom
Castleton
Indeed
Allergan
Sacred Heart Med Students
Ernst and Young
Solebury Trout
Stantec
Marriott
Diageo
KPMG Interns
YMCA
Synchrony
UBS
Morgan Stanley
Jersey Cares
UConn Service Club
Henkel Corporation
Indeed volunteers cleaning up the Park
By the Numbers: Volunteerism
2018
2019
807 volunteers 2,438 hours
1,105 volunteers 5,255 hours
Morgan Stanley volunteers pulling tires from the river
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Our Commitment to Community Fun Pizza in the Park, 2019
Major Events Mill River Park collaborates with community partners to provide yearround park fun. The Collaborative hosts a full calendar of events for all ages. Most signature events take place on the Karp Family Great Lawn. One of our most popular events is Pizza in the Park. Partnering with Half Full Brewery, this event features over a dozen pizza food truck vendors. Over 2,000 attendees ate slices and sipped a selection of Half Full’s delicious beer, while listening to
Pumpkin Painting at Halloween Party
national touring musicians. Concerts at the Carousel, presented by Mill River Park Collaborative, brings world class musicians into an intimate setting in the park. Taking place inside the Brownstein | Selkowitz Carousel Pavilion, up to 200 guests per show
Enjoying a cold one at the Oktoberfest Beer Garden
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enjoy music up close and personal.
Spring and fall of 2019 marked our sixth and seventh seasons of the Mill River Cornhole League. This highly competitive league features up to 24 teams competing across 6 weeks to make the playoffs. This spring, the Lords of Boards captured their fourth title in 6 seasons.
Kite Festival & Indian Independence Day
Our annual free-to-the-public events have become a tradition for thousands of area residents. Trick-or-Treat in the Park transforms our nature trails to “treat trails” providing a safe and fun Halloween event for more than 5,000 youngsters and their families and friends, while the Kite Festival & Indian Independence Day gives the Stamford community the perfect way to celebrate.
Kung Fu performing at Concerts @ the Carousel
Parties in the Park The Park has quickly emerged as a popular spot for celebrating in Stamford. From toddler birthday parties at the Carousel, to tween skating parties with s’mores, Mill River Park has you covered. We’ve even been known to host a Corporate barbecue or retreat!
Connecticut Ballet Performance
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Whittingham Discovery Center - rendering by Centerbrook Architects
Our Commitment to Growth The Andrew & Michael Whittingham Discovery Center Introducing the Whittingham Discovery Center. By the beginning of 2020, we will break ground on the Whittingham Discovery Center, a state-of-the-art building on the east side of the park committed to environmental education – and fun!
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Exhibit Space, Whittingham Discovery Center Right: Kids’ Classroom, Whittingham Discovery Center
The building will have an interactive exhibit space featuring the history of the Mill River, the importance of caring for our natural resources, and the effects of climate change – right in our backyard. Changing exhibits will provide hands-on learning and an opportunity for community gatherings. In addition to the public exhibit space there will be specially equipped environmental education suites, a café, and an amphitheater. The Whittingham Discovery Center will be here for generations to come so that all can see the importance of taking care of the environment.
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Phase II - Main Street to Richmond Hill We will also begin construction of Phase II of the Park, which will encompass the construction of a new playground and splash pad between Main Street and Tresser Boulevard, the Deborah and Charles Royce Topiary Frog Comfort Station and 3.5 acres of new paths and greenspace from Tresser Boulevard to Richmond Hill Avenue. We anticipate that this new and revitalized section of the park will be completed by the summer of 2020.
Inspirational renderings of the Splash Pad (pictured) and new playground equipment (right)
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E E T S T R
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Our Commitment to Growth: Park Project History 2013
2006: The Creation of the Playground at Mill River Park.
This once-unkempt area has been transformed into a safe child-centered playground, while the surrounding garden provides an opportunity for children and adults to interact with nature and enjoy the 18,000 flowers planted there.
2009: The Restoration of Mill River.
With the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a river that once was dammed and polluted has been restored and revived. The freed river has become the home to many new species of fish and wildlife. The 100-year flood elevations have been lowered by three feet in Downtown Stamford and future flooding will be contained in the Mil River Park’s floodplain.
2013: The creation of 12 acres of beautiful landscape in the heart of Stamford.
Thousands of new shrubs and 400 new trees were added, including 70 cherry trees. In fact, with the Jaffe Heritage Cherry Tree Grove, the Park is now home to the largest cherry tree grove in New England.
2017: The Brownstein | Selkowitz Carousel Pavilion.
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The Pavilion houses the David & Marian Nissen Carousel, with its 30 hand-carved figures and a fully accessible chariot. The Pavilion also includes the Rich Pantry for snack and light meals. The Pavilion, Carousel and Pantry are available for both large and small private party rentals.
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2018: The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center & Fountain. The Ice Skating Center & Fountain provides the ideal venue for family recreation. The 9,000-square-foot ice rink is artistically illuminated and transforms into a beautiful display fountain in the warmer months. millriverpark.org
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Mill River Park Collaborative Supporters We want to acknowledge and thank all of our generous park supporters who gave from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019.
Legacy Grove Special thanks to the donors who have given or pledged over $1 million dollars in the Collaborative’s history.
Andrew and Michael Whittingham City of Stamford Don and Lisa Brownstein
Cherry Blossom Society Special thanks to the donors who have given or pledged $225,000 to $750,000 in the Collaborative’s history. Charles & Deborah Royce David & Miriam Nissen Dean & Laura Godown Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Karp Family Foundation Nestle Waters North America Inc. Purdue Pharma L.P.
General Electric
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
John and Paula Todd
Robert & Patricia Phillips
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Selkowitz Family Foundation
Stephen & Harley Osman Structured Portfolio Management The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation, Inc.
State of Connecticut
The Overbrook Foundation
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Rich Family Foundation Thomson Reuters Vince & Linda McMahon Family Foundation, Inc.
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Charitable Contributions $3 million to $100,000
Brownstein Family Foundation
Stephen & Harley Osman
Building and Land Technology
The Rich Family Foundation
Cacace, Tusch & Santagata
The Whittingham Family Foundation
Carmody, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessey
Thomas & Tizzie Mantione
Dean and Laura Godown*
Castleton Commodities International LLC
Trafigura Trading, LLC / Trafigura Foundation
Diageo North America
Charter Communications
Trinity Financial, Inc.
City of Stamford* Selkowitz Family Foundation*
$99,999 to $50,000 Purdue Pharma L.P. Robert & Patricia Phillips Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
Dan & Dorothy Hines Day Family Foundation Diana & Steven Lenkowsky
Thomas Tryforos
UBS Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP
First County Board of Directors
$9,999 to $5,000
Frank & Lori Mercede
$49,999 to $25,000
Aircastle Advisor, LLC
Grade A ShopRite
Amin & Fatima Mawji
Arnold & Lisa Karp
Harry Day
Charles & Deborah Royce
Comcast Foundation
Henry V. Heuser
Cross Insurance Agency
Don Brownstein
James Shapiro & Cristin Tierney
Edmund C. Spencer Fund/ Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Jed & Alana Selkowitz
Fabrizio & Barbara Zichichi
Kaye and Hennessey, LLC
First County Bank
Fairfield County Bank
Lapine Company
First Bank of Greenwich
Thomson Reuters
JJ Sendelbach
First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
Melissa Anne Leonhardt Fund/ General Reinsurance Corporation Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
$24,999 to $10,000 Accurate Lock and Hardware Anthony Jr. & Caroline Gaglio
People’s United Bank Pitney Bowes, Inc. Reckson, A Division of SL Green
David & Patricia Watkins David Stuckey Eastern Land Management Everett & Sally Schenk
George & Meg Bradt Glenn Oztemel Ian Waring J. Crew Jonathan & Caroline Garrity Joy Frank
Ricardo & Flavia Mornaghi
KAF Manufacturing
Richard & Cynthia Blumenthal
Kirmar Foundation
Bartlett Tree Experts
SB+W, Soule, Blake+Wechsleer, Inc.
Luke & Katherine Daigle
Bloomberg
Shipman & Goodwin, LLP
LUKOIL Pan Americas, LLC
Boehm Family Foundation
Silver Golub & Teitell, LLP
Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz Bankwell
* Includes a capital campaign contribution
Starwood Legacy Fund/Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Mayborn USA NBC Sports Group NBC Universal
Nestle Waters North America Inc. Chris McIntosh
Jennifer Yocham
Nicholas Haslett
Jerry Nielsen
Christian Roth
Overbrook Family Advised Fund Claire L. Helsing Foundation
Jim Himes
Patriot Bank N.A.
Clayton Fowler
Jim Kirsch
Peter & Betsy Kempner
Jo Rausch
Rey Giallongo & Cheryl Palmer
Connecticut On-Line Computer Center (COCC)
Richard & Pam Vogel
David & Eileen Heckerling
Shelly & Kavya Nichani
David Cingari
Simon & Julene Greenshields
David Wilson
Stamford Downtown Special Services District
Diego Camacho
Stamford Hospital
Duane & Lee Hill
Stamford Hospital Foundation
Dudley Williams & Juanita James
Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF)
Edward & Susan Greenberg
Stamford Town Center Stephen & Dale Hoffman Steven & Lisa Wise Structured Portfolio Management Susan R. Cullman & John Kirby Vince & Linda McMahon Webster Bank William Reed & Kate Campbell
$4,999 to $1,000 AffinEco LLC
Douglas & Sharon Karp
Elise Swanton Elizabeth & Bruce Huffine Empire State Realty Trust Frederic & Harriet Dulaney Gail Kirhoffer Gari & Ira Dansky GE Foundation George & Cathy Saint Louis-Boyce George & Phyllis Heller Glasky Family Fund Global Organization of People of Indian Origin
Joe Cingari Joel & Bonnie Glasky John & Lauren Driscoll John & Megan Shapiro John Bonora John Nee John Polera John Rutherford Jonathan Shull Joseph & Tina Bartels Judith Steinberg Kathryn Emmett & David Golub Katie Kasinskas Kerrin & Stephne Behrend Kristen Stops Larry Kravetz Leonard & Judith Haber Leonard & Mary Lou D’Andrea Lewis & Laurie Finkel Lori Leskin
Heidi Stephens
LoveSac
Andrew & Andrea Shantz
Henkel Corporation
Malcolm & Dianne Houtz
Andrew & Robyn Whittingham
Ian Shrank
Mark & Heidi Silverstein
Andrew Falcon
Indeed
Mark Czarnecki
Andy Devlin
Irwin & Arlene Ettinger
Mark Lvoff
BDO USA, LLP
Ivan Nikolic
Marsha Shendell
Bill & Lisa Tyson
James Duffy
Marshall & Joanne Goldberg
Bob & Mary Granata
Jamie B. King
Marshall Adams
Brian Miller
Jamie Delaney
Martin & Aviva Budd
Centerbrook Architects and Planners
Jay & Esta Feinsod
Michael & Terran Whittingham
Jay & Gail Mahoney
Michael Fedele
Charle Sanford
Jeffrey & Marty Cokin
Michael McEvilly
Charlie Myers
Jeffrey Frase
Ahmet Atamen
Michael Padovano
Todd O’Malley
Divyesh Patel
Mitchell & Anne Katcher
Tom & Denise Walsh
Donald Gustafson
Morton & Eleanor Lowenthal
TP Host LLC
Drew Slack
Naeem & Susannah Fayyaz
Trey Jackson
E. Garrett Bewkes
New England Donor Services, Inc.
Vincent & Isabella Ventrini
Elaine Rubinson & Steve Berni
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Vopak
Fred Boutin
Nic Doria
William Harford
Fredric & Ronnie Zinn
NIC Holding Corporation
William McDonough
James Fairweather Jeffrey Kravet
Norman & Nina Lotstein
$999 to $500
Jennifer & Mark Lapine
Olive & James Doyle
A.P. Construction Co., Inc.
Jonathan Foster
Paul & Aga Senecal
Andrea Valerio & Marcella Branca
Josh Fedeli
Paul & Darlene McDowell
Andrew & Caren Glickson
Kim Barnes
People’s United Community Foundation
Andrew Cooper
Kunjan Collective, LLC
Avram and Rhoda Freedberg Fund
Larry Barbish
O&G Industries, Inc. Olav Refvik
PKF O’Connor Davies LLP Plaza Realty & Management Corporation
Bill & Jevera Hennessey Black Hawk Coal Sales
PQ Recycling, LLC
Bradley Michelson
Prior Family Foundation
Bruce & Connie Hubbard
Robert Half International
Bryan Keogh
Robin Stein & Silvia Fernandez-Stein
C. Meyrick Payne
Robinson & Cole
Carrie O’Donnell
John Riley
Lauren Fredette Len & Catherine Miller Luigi Tevolini Manny Queiros Marcelo & Jen Deambrosio Marcia E. Berry Marianne & Edward Pollak Marilyn Clements
Chris & Nina Parker
Matthew Brewer
Community Health Center
Matthew Wilber
Computronix
Max & Dale Berger
Conair Corporation
Melissa Mulrooney
Cornelius & Gertrude Prior
Metatek
Craig & Suzanne Olin
Michael & Louise C.C. Widland
Stephen & Gail Trell
David & Jessica Kooris
MUFG Union Bank, NA
Steven Bunkin
David & Linda Cunn
Nancy Freedman
Stewart Scharnberg
David & Paula Weinstein
Pinot’s Palette
SWC Office Furniture Outlet, Inc.
David Genovese & Camilla Herrera
Synchrony Financial
David Hoffman
The Capital Grille
David Lehman
The Whitmyer Family
David Martin
Tim Hale
Debbie Salce
Ronald & June Ahrens Samuel Fuller Sandy & Robert Goldstein Shawn Bundy Sheldron & Helen Seplowitz Sidney Stern Memorial Trust
Polly Perkins Johnson Rachel Sherman Ralf van der Ven Richard Zaremski Risa Raich Robert Pierce & Joan Jia-Peirce
Rocco V. D’Andrea, Inc.
Dan Plutto
Marc Bennett & Katherine Meyers
Ryan Salvatore & Mary Burr
Daniel Wilson
Marina Chassapis
Sanjeev Gupta
David Wilkins
Marissa Miraval
Saul & Mimi Cohen
Dennis & Linda Hampton
Mary Fawcett
Scott Krowitz
Dennis Bradley
Mary Lou Rinaldi
Seth & Eve Lapine
Don Ryan
Maryly Culpepper
Simply Signs
Edward & Donna Fuhrman
Michael Moran
Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, Inc.
Ellen Bromley & Tom Gizicki
Natalie Coard
EMCOR Services New England Mechanical
Noah & Holly Lapine
Susan & Randy Johnson Susan Wise
Emily Gordon
Tamara Duncan
Eric Brienza
Tammy Davis
Ernie Orgera
Terry May
Frank & Lolita Savage
Theodore Sergi
Gary Lessen
Tomeka Martin
Gloria DePina
Tomra North America
Grafico
Walter Markes
Handy Lube
William & Barbara Cronin
J. Samuel Chase
$499 to $250 Adam & Laurie Selkowitz Aladdin Services, LLC Andrea Hadzimichalis Angela Carlucci Angela Curley Barbara Aronica Bart & Kate Osman Betsey Decker Brian & Monica Sciacca Bruce & Ellen Gordon Carl & Dana Weinberg Ceci Maher Chris Malloy Cipirani Pilates Clancy Moving and Logistics Craig Yocham Cummings & Lockwood, LLC
James McArdle Jeffrey Brennan Jeffrey Calender Jerry Silber John & Stacy Leydon John & Stacy Louizos John Tesoriero Johnna Torsone & John McKeon Kay Breakstone Laura Lehman Lawrence Baker Leslie Gianelli Lina Morielli Lindsay McNeil Lisa Colangelo Lisa Musilli Louis Cappelli Louisa Greene Lynn Friedberg Mandy Jackson
Philip and Patricia Swan Pitney Bowes Foundation Rachel Anson Rebecca Brown Richard Cooney Richard Seto Rick & Robin Redniss Robert & Deborah Neiman Robert Kirk Robert Ricciuti Ron Rozgonyi Russell Jones Sara & Bruce Tucker Sarah & Mike Handler Scott Gerard Stephen & Meena Lynch Stephen Munger Steve & Sandy Soule Steve Elbaum Steven Drew Susan Eckestien Susan O. Singer Ted Ferrarone Tony Barr Tracy Kramer Vinnie Fusco Wendy Lewis
$249 to $100
Jessica Beal
Richard & Rosalea Fisher
Joan Montello
Richard Blomberg
Adam Stolpen
John Barnes
Richard Muskus
Aimee Eichen & Jeff Shakin
Joseph & Bette Epstein
Robert King
Alberto Milani
Joseph Simon
Ronald & Ana Gold
Amnon Meiri
Josh Feil
Securitas
Annie Giannatasi
Judy Heft
Shippan Point Garden Club
Bill Catanzaro
Julie Dentel
Sofia Durham
Bruce & Alicia Wettenstein
Karen Kelly
Stamford EMS
Carl & Judy Stewart
Kelly Trahan
Stuart Adelberg
Kevin Moynihan
Susie Baker
Kona Ice of Stamford
Terry Adams
Kurt & Susan Ostheimer
Thomas & Madeline Conway
Lisa Yarnell
Tim Chan
Lisa Bancroft
Todd Auslander
Lisa Newman
Vagn & Mary Fausing
Luigi Girotto
Valerie Cooper
Lynn Bimonte
Wendy Ramos
Mark McGrath
Wendy Wooters
Mary L. Krayeske
William & Jevera Hennessey
Matthew Quinones
Zoe Godown
Carolyn Coutant Carolyn Nadel-Farin & Phil Farin Cathleen Donnelly & Bart Donahoe Cathy Cohan Cherise Ahay Chintan Patel Dianne & Robert Colgan Dwayne & Danielle Robinson Edward & Ronnie Fein Elliot & Emily Turner Elvira Albert Frances Dorris Garry Morton Gary Gepner & Susan Baldwin Gary Mansfield Geoff Kupferschmid Giorgio and Lavinia Masetti-Zannini
Maureen Furlong Merlin & Elaine Alper Michelle Murphy
Up to $99
Mike Edwards
Alice Knapp & Walt Young
Morgan & Julie Mckeown
Allen & Sherri Rosenthal Amazon Smile
Gregory Bomash
New England Investment Partners, LLC
Harley Tusa
Nolan & Barbara Schwartz
Anna Antonelli
Ivonne Zucco
Patrick Rogers
Aylin Utke
James & Florine Popper
Paul & Carol Tusch
Barbara Jacobs
Peter Rosato
Benjamin Zimon
Pia Baker
Body Therapy by Dai LLC
Randie Katz & Lawrence Cryer
Brian & Julie Dentel
Rebecca Trigilio
Brian Walsh
Rhonda Eldridge
Brittney Garth
Ricardo Pietri
Cassandra McAlman
Richard & Patti Slavin
Cheryl Keith
Jami Sherwood Janet & Peter Vanderwaart Jaqueline Lightfield Jay & Miriam Shaw Jeffrey & Donna Farber Jeffrey & Sheila Katz Jennifer McMonagle Jeri & Mark Appel
Andrew Sklover
Matching Gifts
Corti Cooper
Nia & Tunde Jackson
David & Lorraine Kweskin
Patricia Chacra
Dudley Williams III
Patrick Sullivan
Elizabeth Golden
Quynh Goodhouse
Franklin & Sondra Melzer
Regan Allan
Fuel Your Fitness
Robert L. Green
Gifts in Kind
Funky Hippie LLC
Ronnie Wiederlight
12M Yacht Development Foundation
Gail Grosso Hofmann
Russ Sackowitz
Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz
Grace Markovits
Sarah Sherwood
Barcelona Wine Bar
Green & Tonic
Tommi Kern
bartaco
Gunnar Sahlin
Upper Deck Fitness
Benefit Cosmetics
Guy Bailey & Kathy King
William & Patricia O’Donnell
Brooklawn Country Club
IBM International Foundation
Yichun Williams
Chelsea Piers Connecticut
Indigo Acupuncture
Zahya Beall
Chez Vous Bistro
GE Foundation Pitney Bowes, Inc.
Ingrid Haughton
Cipriani Pilates
James Sabia
Columbus Park Trattoria
Jeanne Courter
Curtain Call
Jennifer Rogers
Del Frisco’s Grille
Joanne Mangione & Jeffrey Moreland
Diageo North America
Joanne Zammit John Bentley John Keller Judi Schneider JustGive Karen Juul Kathryn Meyers Kevin & Deborah Kelly Kylie O’Connor Laura Jordan Lawrence Kaufman & Mary McNeel Mamas Empanadas Food Truck LLC Marc Kurzman Margot & Bill Zales Marjorie J. Shyavitz Martha Gonzalez Matthew Gostomski Michelle Parchesky Millary Morton
Exhale Stamford Flinders Lane Kitchen & Bar Go Green Dry Cleaner Governor Dan Malloy Half Full Brewery Hampton Inn Hotel Zero Degrees Jack Dog Studio Kramer Portraits Lapine Inc. Lisa Tannebaum Litchfield Distillery Love Sac Madonia Mitchell’s Family of Stores NBC Sports Group Noelle Spa for Beauty and Wellness Ocean House Orangetheory Fitness Peter Kempner
Gifts in Kind Picture That, LLC Pinot’s Pallete Posh Spa and Nails RPM Raceway Salon Shahin Spavia Day Spa Stamford Downtown Special Services District
Special Events Volunteers
Garden Volunteers
Adam Blackwell
Laura Godown
Ailish Keating
Lisa Tyson
Andy Blieden
Lynn Bimonte
Barbara Zichichi
Myles Cohen
Brenda Cook
Sondra Limeburner
Cheryl Keith
Tammy Davis
David Gay Duncan and Karen Keith
Steven & Alexandra Cohen
Elena Pepe-Salutric
Susan O. Singer
Jenn Lumba
The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Jim Bria and Erin Harris
The Capital Grille
Katie Gonzalez
The Connecticut Ballet
Kevin Roberts
The Discovery Museum and Planetarium
Kristia Janowski
The Walt Disney Company Today Show Tom Rich Vineyard Vines Westport Country Playhouse
John Follis
Liz Golden RJ Mercede Rouja Brzozowski Scott Dziura Shaira Sunbeam Victoria Rinocchiaro
Membership Architect Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz Bill & Lisa Tyson Dudley Williams & Juanita James Morton & Eleanor Lowenthal
Designer Ilario Altamura JJ Sendelbach Michael O’Rourke Terry Adams
Steward
Emily Gordon
Arvind Singh
Evie Shapiro
Carolyn Nelson
Amin & Fatima Mawji
Curt Anastasio
Gary Gepner & Susan Baldwin
David & Paula Weinstein
Guy Bailey & Kathy King
Dena Kedra
Heidi W. Hamilton
Esperanza Eilets
Jami Sherwood
Jeanette Gromko
Jeffrey & Marty Cokin
Jean-Marc Di Longo
John Roemer
Jennifer & Rob Godzeno
Joseph & Bette Epstein
Jennifer Laughnan
Joseph Sindelar
Joseph & Patricia Warren
Julie & Brian Dentel
Julia & Hicham Poterevych
Kay Maxwell
Julie & Stephen Dow
Lorraine & David Kweskin
Kona Ice of Stamford
Dean & Laura Godown
Mark & Carol Browning
Kristen Centre
Edward & Donna Fuhrman
Mark & Nancy Funt
Kylie O’Connor
Erna Szekeres
Mark McGrath
Lauren & Joseph Zalis
Henry & Linda Rubinstein
Mary Lou Rinaldi
Lauren Blank
Howard & Barbara Malloy
Mattias Zhabinskiy
Leo & Giannina Biala
Michael & Micki Lemieux
Merlin & Elaine Alper
Lisa & Chuck Dianis
Paul McDowell
Michael Feighan
Margaret & Charles Costello
Philip Patricia Swan
Monica Welch
Martin & Helen Donner
Scott & Tanya Therrien
Robert Vendig
Melanie Koschnitzke
Steven Drew
Robert Waldman & Pam Wood
Michael & Candace Jemiolo
Wes Whitmyer Jr
Ronald Gold
Michael O’Shea
William & Jill Lovers
Sheila & Jeffrey Katz
Mirellise Vazquez & Thomas Birmingham
Turhan Tirana & Denise Marcil
Patron Alma Weinberg
Family
Brenda Cook
Adil Shahzad
Brian Goncalves
Amber Flynn
Corrinne DiVestea
Amit Kumar
Dianne & Roberts Colgan
Andrea Leifer
Eileen & Eric Cottington
Arnold Diaz
Nancy Chuo Nicole & Jeff Um Rachel & Taymore Zarghami Rebekah Kanefsky Rob Brown Rosio Sigua & Carlos Avila Sara Adams
Sharon & Gary Larsen
Elyssa Cunningham
Sherri & Allen Rosenthal
Eve & Daniel Block
Steven Carter
Frederic & Harriet Dulaney
Susan Ylitalo
Irene Delor
Thomas Patterson
James Sabia
Traci Bosco
Jill Fraser
Vonick Jean-Guillaume
Joeb Moore Milton Drexler
Supporter Carol Luders Deborah Fins Gail Grosso Hofmann
Natalie Blake Natalie Gibbons Nicholas Rongoe Russ Sackowitz
Gunnar Sahlin Jane Snyder John Keller John Rhodes Mervyn & Marilyn Balsam Patrick Carino Peter G Carriero Richard Harper Sondra Limeburner Susan Putney Trish & Peter McMullin
Friend Alena Kerins Alice B. Smith Carole N. Greenberg Catherine Bischoff Charles Guinta Cheryl Vukelic Christopher Quinn Diane & Mike Jones Donna Kaiser Elise & Jerry Sehulster
The above lists include donors who gave from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019. If any names are omitted or misspelled, we apologize and ask that you contact us with corrections.
Holi in the Park
Mill River Park’s 2018 Financials Fiscal Year 2018 Revenue Corporate & Foundation Sponsorship
Fundraising Events
CITY OF STAMFORD CONTRACT Operations Grant Operations TIF Capital TIF
$412,803
$640,000 $100,000 $1,530,000 Total: $2,270,000
$315,622
Individual Donations Investment Income $11,574
$151,701
Fee for Programming/Service
INVESTMENT INCOME INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS FUNDRAISING EVENTS FEE FOR PROGRAMMING/SERVICE CORPORATE & FOUNDATION SPONSORSHIP CITY OF STAMFORD CONTRACT
TOTAL Revenue $3,308,808
$147,108
$2,270,000
TOTAL REVENUE: $3,308,808
City of Stamford Contract
Fiscal Year 2018 Expenses FUNDRAISING
$201,921
ADMINISTRATION
$208,648
PROGRAM AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
$1,357,757 TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,768,325
Fundraising $201,921
Administration $208,648 $1,357,757
Program Expenses & Capital Expenditures
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$11,574 $147,108 $315,622 $151,701 $412,803 $2,270,000
TOTAL Expenses $1,768,325
Mill River Park’s 2019 Financials Fiscal Year 2019 Revenue Corporate & Foundation Sponsorship
Fundraising Events
CITY OF STAMFORD CONTRACT Operations Grant Operations TIF
$679,114
$662,000 $725,016 Total: $1,387,016
$236,806
Individual Donations Investment Income $50,399
$212,408
Fee for Programming/Service
INVESTMENT INCOME INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS FUNDRAISING EVENTS FEE FOR PROGRAMMING/SERVICE CORPORATE & FOUNDATION SPONSORSHIP CITY OF STAMFORD CONTRACT
TOTAL Revenue $2,791,618
$225,874
$1,387,016
$50,399 $225,874 $236,806 $212,408 $679,114 $1,387,016
TOTAL REVENUE: $2,791,618
City of Stamford Contract
Fiscal Year 2019 Expenses FUNDRAISING
$165,342
ADMINISTRATION
$249,744
PROGRAM AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Fundraising
$2,010,701
$165,342
TOTAL EXPENSES: $2,425,787 Administration
$249,744
TOTAL Expenses $2,425,787
$2,010,701
Program Expenses & Capital Expenditures
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The People: Mill River Park Collaborative
Thank you to our Board Members (as of October 2019)
MILL RIVER PARK COLLABORATIVE STAFF
Arthur Selkowitz , Chairman Arnold M. Karp , Vice Chair Robert M. Phillips , Vice Chair Robert Granata, Treasurer Don Brownstein, Secretary
Dudley N. Williams, Jr.
George Boyce Ralph Blessing Sandy Goldstein Emily M. Gordon Robin Graham Katie Kasinskas Noah Lapine Thomas Madden Fatima Mawji, MD Mark McGrath Frank Mercede Shelly Nichani Steve Osman Michael Pollard Matt Quinones Ryan Salvatore J.J. Sendelbach Jim Shapiro Camille S. Spaulding Michael Whittingham Nate Zubal
Director of Business Operations
President & CEO
Nia Rhodes Jackson
Director, Visitor Experience
Kevin Kelly Mike Stake
Director, Construction & Capital Planning
Alicia Wettenstein
Director of Development
Marlie Reid
Special Events Manager
Trent McCann
Education & Programs Manager
Vincent Piselli
Land Care Manager
Tiffany Wilson
Youth & Family Programs Manager
Brittney Garth
Event Marketing and Membership Coordinator
Dianne Houtz Office Manager
The Collaborative recognizes the following whose terms ended between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019: David Kooris
Michael Widland
Gloria DePina
Robert Stein
Harry Day
Dr. Tommie Jackson
Judy Selby
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The People: Mill River Park Collaborative Special thanks to all of our hardworking and dedicated staff members who make everything that we do at the Park possible.
Office Staff Members (Top Left to Right) Dudley N. Williams, Jr., Nia Rhodes Jackson, Kevin Kelly, Mike Stake, Alicia Wettenstein, Marlie Reid, Tiffany Wilson, Trent McCann, Dianne Houtz, Brittney Garth.
Landcare Staff (Left to Right) Dana Huntley, Kristy Schutzman, Vincent Piselli, Alex Smith
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Carousel Event Staff Front: Elena, Tyler, Jessica & Kathryn Back: Ricky, Eliel & Khal
2019 Mill River Stewards
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1010 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06901 www.millriverpark.org
@MillRiverPark
@MillRiverPark
@MillRiverCollaborative