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BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FIRST ANNUAL BLUEBELL PHOTO CONTEST

For Immediate Release:  June 1, 2012

Contact:  Teresa Gonzalez, 718 724-6432, tgonzalez@bbpnyc.org

Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) is pleased to announce the winners of its inaugural Bluebell Photo Contest.  The contest, which was launched on April 19^th, 2012, encouraged photographers and park enthusiasts alike to capture images of the thousands of Spanish Bluebells in full bloom in Brooklyn Bridge Park and submit them to an online photo contest. The Spanish Bluebells, a striking perennial that blooms in April and May, were planted in December 2011 by BBP’s horticulturalist, Rebecca McMackin, and a team of park volunteers. Over 8,000 Spanish Bluebell bulbs were planted on Pier 1, Pier 6 and Main Street sections of the park.  

Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park, said “We are delighted that visitors were able to engage with the park in a deep and meaningful way. Everyone who participated in the contest did a tremendous job of not only highlighting the exquisite Spanish Blue Bell but also of sharing their artistry and creativity. Congratulations to this year’s winners and we look forward to seeing more fantastic work next year.”

Rebecca McMackin, Horticulturalist for Brooklyn Bridge Park, said “Both the people and the bees of Brooklyn Bridge Park loved the inaugural year of bluebell blooms. The photographs were so lovely, and a pleasure to judge. It’s hard to imagine that next year the flowers and the photos will be more beautiful, as they will triple in size with establishment.”  

All submissions were reviewed by an esteemed jury—Sam Barzilay (Co-Owner of United Photo Industries Gallery), Etienne Frossard (Freelance Photographer), Brent Heath (Co-Owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs), Rebecca McMackin (Brooklyn Bridge Park Horticulturalist), and Julienne Schaer (Freelance Photographer).  After receiving over 40 entries for the Bluebell Photo Contest, the jury selected three submissions. The three winners were:

Grand Prize Winner: Benn Cobb

First Runner-Up: Paula B. Laverty

Second Runner-Up: Tanya Zminkowski

BBP Facebook fans also voted “Blue Beauties II” by Emily Lee Chang as “Park Fan Favorite” through an online poll. Each winner will receive Spanish Bluebell bulbs provided by Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, and prominent placement of their bluebell photo on BBP’s official park website and social media outlets.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, known as Brooklyn Bridge Park, is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the planning, construction, maintenance and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre sustainable waterfront park stretching 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River shoreline. The park was designed by the award-winning firm of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. More information is available on the park’s website:  www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org.

For a PDF of the Press Release, click here. 

To view the winning submissions, click here.