The Central Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee and Playground Partners rallied for a cause at their fifth annual Play for the Park round-robin tennis tournament.
Lively matches played on Central Park’s Tennis Center’s Har-Tru courts raised over $170,000 in funds crucial to the ongoing care of the Park’s 21 cherished playgrounds. The Playground Partners, a group within the Conservancy’s Women’s Committee, is responsible for funding the maintenance of every Central Park playground, ensuring safe and accessible spaces for all children and families.
Guests played two tournament sessions, punctuated by a lunch and après-tennis reception, as a part of this year’s new format. Many players sported chic active-wear attire from Tuckernuck, the event’s lead sponsor, returning for the second year in a row. This year’s new Product Sponsors included De Soi, who provided their refreshing and fun non-alcoholic apéritifs, and Elite Tennis Travel, who engaged attendees with their tennis-themed experience offerings.
“The Women’s Committee is thrilled to kick off the fall season in Central Park with our fifth annual Play for the Park event,” said Tracey Huff, Women’s Committee President. “It is wonderful to bring our supporters together to combine our passion for tennis with our dedication to the long-term care and upkeep of the Park. Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support of the Conservancy’s work.”
This year’s Event Co-Chairs Dana Coppolino Abensohn, Michelle Auerbach, Alison Bernstein, Mimi Ritzen Crawford, Kara Gerson, Paula Mahoney, Becky Yang Palmon, and honorary chair, Yesim Philip, were joined by Women’s Committee President, Tracey Huff, Playground Partners Chairs and Vice Chair, Kate Lauprete, Stephanie X. Stamas, and Melanie McLennan, and Central Park Conservancy’s President & CEO, Betsy Smith.
“Central Park’s 21 playgrounds are beloved spaces for the Park’s surrounding communities, families, and children. The work of the Playground Partners and the Women’s Committee is critical to keeping the Park’s playgrounds well maintained, accessible, and available for everyone,” said Betsy Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy. “I am grateful to Tracey and the entire Women’s Committee for their steadfast support, which ensures the Conservancy can continue caring for and preserving these treasured spaces for generations to come.”
Other event guests included Katherine Birch, Michèle Brazil, Sugie Hong Bruttomesso, John Cochran, Alana Frankfort, Jocelyn Gailliot, Stephanie Hessler, Adriana Isaza, Adrienne Israel, Sarah Kurita, Brooke Kelly Murray, Liz Peek, and Amy Tarr.
Tuckernuck, De Soi, Elite Tennis Travel, Venus et Fleur, and USTA Eastern generously donated prizes and gift bag items. Michelle Auerbach, Erin Nance, Sari Schorr, and Jane Parshall were the winners of the morning session, while Kat Dines, Heather McAuliffe, Juliana Diaz, and Lindsey Schilling were the champions of the afternoon. Players and spectators alike celebrated Central Park and its playgrounds cheering on one another in support of the community’s meaningful cause.
Image credit: Bre Johnson/BFA
