Press Release

BATTERY PARK CITY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF PUBLIC EVENTS IN CELEBRATION OF NYC CLIMATE WEEK 2019

Programs Underscore Authority’s Recent Sustainability Efforts

__                                                     Climate Week NYC runs from September 23-29__

In keeping with Battery Park City’s legacy of environmental leadership, and on the heels of climate change activist Greta Thunberg’s arrival in Battery Park City’s North Cove Marina, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today announced its lineup of programs and events in celebration of Climate Week NYC 2019. Run by The Climate Group, an international non-profit focused on accelerating climate action, Climate Week NYC serves as showcase for climate action worldwide. Businesses, governments, academic institutions, arts organizations, individuals and non-profit organizations are invited to participate in the week-long events program, including panel discussions, concerts, exhibitions, seminars and more. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit: www.climateweeknyc.org/events-program.

“A half-century ago the Battery Park City Authority was created with a mission of renewal, transforming the dilapidated lower west side waterfront into a haven of green space and sustainable development,” said BPCA President and Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “From our environmental guidelines for new commercial and residential construction, to organic maintenance of our open spaces, to sustainable practices spanning our operations, we continue that legacy today. We celebrate Climate Week NYC with a range of events and initiatives to educate, inspire, and further our environmental responsibility efforts.”

“We saw first-hand the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy on Lower Manhattan in 2012,” said BPCA Board Member and Resiliency Working Group Chair Catherine McVay Hughes. “The BPCA’s actions to make our community a more sustainable and resilient place to live, work, and play is more important than ever.”

BPCA’s Climate Week NYC events include:

Go Fish! Battery Park City’s Celebration of Life in the Hudson Estuary

Saturday, September 21 from 10AM-1PM in Wagner Park

• Join experienced anglers for catch-and-release fishing and learn about life in the Hudson River. The day also features an art project inspired by imagining if endangered species could speak up for themselves. Event includes a live performance by Grammy Award-winning Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats! and a Volunteers for Wildlife presentation of Raptors! – get an up-close look at these fascinating birds of prey. The presentation will be followed by a family-friendly nature walk through the gardens of Wagner Park.
• At the event, BPCA staff will be joined by representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency and New York City Economic Development Corporation to provide information and answer questions about the Authority’s resiliency initiatives and the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Project.

BPCA Composting Tours @ Parks Operations Headquarters (75 Battery Place)

Monday, September 23 at 9:00AM & Tuesday, September 24 at 11:00AM

• BPCA has a longstanding and growing composting program. Last year the Authority composted more than 20,000 lbs. of food and waste, and is on-pace to compost over 35,000 lbs. in 2019. Join us for a tour of BPCA’s composting program and see how this waste stream is diverted from the landfill. Please register by email info@bpca.ny.gov or by calling (212) 267-9700.

Young Sprouts Gardening

Tuesday, September 24 from 3:15-3:45PM, Rockefeller Park Children’s Garden

• An introduction to organic gardening for children 3-5 years old with accompanying adults. A garden-themed story time will be followed by activities like watering, searching for butterflies and bees, and planting. A great way to introduce your preschooler to the joys of gardening and the broader natural environment as a part of Climate Week.

Elements of Nature Drawing

Wednesday, September 25 from 11AM-1:00PM, Wagner Park

• Get inspired by the beautiful expanse of the Hudson River and New York Harbor. Embolden your artwork amidst the flower-filled and seasonally evolving palette of Wagner Park’s verdant gardens. An artist/educator will provide ideas and instruction. Materials provided. For adults ages 18 and up.

Wednesdays in Teardrop

Wednesday, September 25 from 3:30-5:00PM, Teardrop Park

• Sustainable and recycled materials are used to create a take-home art project with the environment in mind. Afterward, games themed around the environment will be played. Designed for school-age children.

** BPC Ball Fields Resiliency Project: Public Meeting**

Thursday, September 26, 6:00PM, 6 River Terrace

• Superstorm Sandy resulted in more than fifty lives lost, millions of traumatized residents and billions of dollars in property damage in New York City. While Battery Park City fared better than many other affected areas, it nevertheless sustained millions of dollars of damage. BPCA is currently at work on a comprehensive resiliency plan, consisting of four interrelated projects to protect the neighborhood from the threats of storm surge and sea level rise – including an initiative to protect the BPC Ball Fields used by 50,000 local youth annually. (Read more)

Drawing in the Park

Saturday, September 28 from 10AM-12:00PM in Wagner Park

• Paint in watercolor or use pastels, chalk, and charcoal to capture the magical vistas of the Hudson River and the unique landscape of Wagner Park. An artist/educator will help participants of all levels with instruction and critique. Materials provided. For adults ages 18 and up.

Also as part of Climate Week NYC, BPCA will launch a dog waste composting initiative at its three dog runs – more information coming soon – and participate in trainings, tours, and panels in furtherance of its sustainability efforts. These include recycling training for staff, a visit to the Sims Materials Recovery Facility in Sunset Park, and a tour of BPCA’s Parks Operations headquarters for New York State agencies. Authority staff will also participate in these Climate Week NYC events on Friday, September 27:

• BPCA President & CEO B.J. Jones speaks on a panel regarding Battery Park City Coastal Resiliency: Systemically Reducing Risk in Lower Manhattan as part of Climate Week NYC 2019’s Built Environment Symposium.
• BPCA Assistant Director of Parks Operations Ryan Torres presents a case study about Successful Sustainability Projects at New York State’s GreenNY Forum at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

As a sustainability leader, over the past year the Authority has made the following strides in green governance:

• In July, BPCA issued $76.3 million in Sustainability Bonds Phase 1 of its Capital Plan, which includes development of a comprehensive resiliency infrastructure – entailing perimeter storm barriers, flood protection systems, waterproofing, and landscaping to protect its residents and assets from climate change. The proceeds will also finance projects that enhance public access to open space, accessibility and walkability, and preserve the socio-cultural attributes of Battery Park City. The Authority’s Sustainability Bond Framework aligns with the Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles and Sustainability Bond Guidelines (promulgated by the International Capital Markets Association), as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).

• In May, the BPCA Board approved a resolution supporting creation of a Sustainability Plan and New Green Guidelines, which will, among other things, facilitate the Authority’s commitment to “achieve a carbon neutral Battery Park City by the middle of the century, along with greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy improvement targets, a strategy for achieving those targets, and a framework for ensuring BPCA lessees and business partners meet BPCA’s enumerated goals.” Last month BPCA issued an RFP for creation of this plan, which will guide the Authority’s sustainability efforts and initiatives for the next decade. BPCA’s Sustainability Plan will be presented on Earth Day 2020.

• On Earth Day 2019, BPCA launched its Zero Waste Initiative, a waste-reduction program that includes education, regular reporting and review of vendor practices, and pledges from more than 100 Authority staff members to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Focusing initially on BPCA’s practices at its Parks Operations Headquarters, the goal is to attain TRUE certification (an assessor-based program that rates how well facilities minimize waste), decrease office waste going to landfill by 90% over the next 12 months, and learn from this experience to expand Zero Waste to the Authority’s other spaces – and eventually to the community.

• Also on Earth Day, in partnership with Gateway Plaza – Battery Park City’s largest residential complex – BPCA launched the neighborhood’s first building-specific composting program, diverting more than 4,000 lbs. of waste to date

• BPCA’s Investment Guidelines emphasize the consideration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in the Authority’s investment strategy. BPCA encourages its investment managers to include ESG factors in their analytical processes and prohibits investment in companies that are heavily-reliant on fossil fuels.

• Last October, BPCA released its first-ever, scientific study of the use of Battery Park City’s 36 acres of parks and public spaces, an effort aimed at helping BPCA meet the challenges of maintaining the high level of satisfaction that its park users enjoy. The study’s findings confirmed that Battery Park City parks are extremely successful in providing an attractive and safe environment for a varied array of user populations.

Read more about BPCA’s sustainability initiatives here.

About BPCA: Established in 1968, The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State Public Benefit Corporation charged with developing and maintaining a well-balanced community on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Battery Park City’s 92- acre site has achieved worldwide acclaim as a model for community renewal in planning, creating, and maintaining a balance of commercial, residential, retail and park space. For more info visit: bpca.ny.gov.                            

Contact:                              Nick Sbordone  (212) 417-3194