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Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy to Host Sunset Bhangra

Contact:

Richard Loyd, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

rloyd@brooklynbridgepark.org | 718-802-0603

For immediate release

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK CONSERVANCY HOLDS SUNSET BHANGRA BENEFIT ON PIER 1

Annual Waterfront Fundraiser Supports Free Public Programming; Honors Peter Meyer, TD Bank, Paul Goodman & William Wachtel, East River Ferry

BROOKLYN, May 15, 2012 - The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is pleased to announce that its annual Sunset fundraiser will take place Thursday, June 7, on Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The theme for the thirteenth annual Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy benefit is "Sunset Bhangra." The outdoor event will begin at 6:00 pm and will feature a festive evening of specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Bhangra music, dancing, and a silent auction.

Sunset Bhangra will honor champions of Brooklyn Bridge Park: Peter M. Meyer, President of TD Bank’s New York City market and member of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors, and Paul Goodman and William Wachtel of the Billybey Ferry Company, which operates the East River Ferry, for their support of the Brooklyn waterfront.

A longtime supporter of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Peter Meyer, who grew up in Woodhaven, is a graduate of St. Francis Prep and St. Joseph’s College, and earned his MBA from Long Island University. While living in Queens he served as director of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. as well as other nonprofit and civic organizations. Currently he is Chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Finance Committee of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Vice President of the Queens Museum, and Board Member of York College, St. Joseph’s College, and the American Cancer Society. Meyer joined TD Bank in 2002 and currently oversees some 90 stores as well as numerous lending groups throughout the five boroughs. 

TD Bank and the TD Charitable Foundation have been lead supporters of the Conservancy’s educational programs, which have served more than 16,000 children and families through public events and in-school classes and activities.

Paul Goodman and William Wachtel of the East River Ferry are transforming the Brooklyn waterfront through frequent, reliable ferry service connecting sites in Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Bridge Park (DUMBO), with Manhattan, Governors Island, and Long Island City in Queens. Since it launched in June 2011, the East River Ferry has transported nearly 715,000 people.

Paul Goodman is the Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Billybey Ferry Company, LLC. He formerly served at the CEO of Chelsey Broadcasting Company, prior to which he was a practicing attorney in the City of New York. William Wachtel is the President and co-owner of Billybey Ferry Company. He is also the founder of the Drum Major Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to providing a sustained environment for the open discussion of major policy issues.

"We are proud to support Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and its education programs," said Peter Meyer. "At TD Bank, supporting the communities and organizations where our customers and employees live and work is a priority. It is an honor to be recognized by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy."

"Brooklyn Bridge Park is not just reclaiming the waterfront, but transforming the borough by reviving long dormant connections between Lower Manhattan, Governors Island, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights," said Paul Goodman. "It’s a tremendous honor to be associated with the Park and the great work of the Conservancy."

"Sunset is always a special evening for park friends and supporters. This year's Bhangra theme is sure to be a crowd pleaser for our partners at the Conservancy," said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. "We congratulate honorees Peter Meyer, Paul Goodman, and William Wachtel, and are grateful to everyone at TD Bank and the East River Ferry for their commitment to the Conservancy and Brooklyn Bridge Park."

"Brooklyn Bridge Park is a spectacular new waterfront landscape and a paragon of 21st century park design," said New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “With summer waiting in the wings, Sunset Bhangra will transform Pier I for an evening into a small slice of India, and is a great opportunity to celebrate the programming and advocacy efforts of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Congratulations as well to the evening’s honorees who have worked so hard to bring the park to life."

"The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s annual Sunset fundraiser is always one of Brooklyn’s hottest events," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "This year’s Sunset Bhangra will celebrate our very own ‘Eden on the East River’ and one of the best views – and sunsets – anywhere in the world. Congratulations to Peter Meyer of TD Bank and the Conservancy board of directors and Paul Goodman and William Wachtel of East River Ferry for their outstanding contributions to the world-class Brooklyn Bridge Park, which under Conservancy executive director Nancy Webster and Park President Regina Myer continues to transform into a crown jewel – an ‘urban emerald’ – in our city’s park system."

"Brooklyn Bridge Park gives us a whole lot to celebrate, all year," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "I look forward to celebrating at Sunset and honoring Peter Meyer, Paul Goodman, and William Wachtel for everything they've done to help make the park a reality."

"Congratulations to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and their outstanding honorees: Peter M. Meyer, Paul Goodman, and William Wachtel," said State Assemblywoman Joan Millman. "These individuals have helped transform our Brooklyn waterfront into a true urban treasure. Each and every day more and more visitors come to enjoy the many unique features the park has to offer. Finally, I would like to wish the Conservancy another extremely successful year."

“I am looking forward to getting the summer started on June 7th at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy's Sunset fundraiser," said City Council Member Stephen Levin. "Brooklyn Bridge Park is at the heart of our community and we are lucky to have a group like the Conservancy to advocate for this waterfront gem. Board members like Peter Meyer have demonstrated true dedication to the park and its visitors by supporting programming for tens of thousands of park visitors. And the entire Brooklyn waterfront has been vastly improved by Paul Goodman and William Wachtel of East River Ferry. The ferry has connected more of New York City directly to the Brooklyn waterfront and Brooklyn Bridge Park."

Sunset Bhangra will bring a piece of India to Pier 1 with music and dancing alongside spectacular views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor. Ditch Plains by Benchmarc Events will be serving hors d’oeuvres with a Bhangra kick and scrumptious specialty cocktails inspired by Eastern flavors will be featured. Beer is lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery. Music for the evening will be provided by DJ Rekha, who has been called "Bhangra’s Ambassador" by The New York Times. DJ Rekha has been a curator of South Asian events for SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Museum. She will be joined on stage by members of the Dhoonya Dance group, who will lead high-energy lessons for all. Henna painting will be offered, and activities and entertainment will be provided for the youngest partygoers by Half Pint Citizens. One of the highlights of the evening will be the silent auction, with special items donated by organizations and friends of the Conservancy around New York. Auction items will include vacation homes, dinner packages, sports and theater tickets, and photography sessions.

"Sunset is a great kickoff to a summer of fun in Brooklyn Bridge Park," said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. "Thank you to our honorees Peter Meyer and TD Bank, and Paul Goodman and William Wachtel of the East River Ferry, and thank you to all our supporters who help the Conservancy bring movies, fitness, boating, theater, education programs – and this year swimming – to Brooklyn Bridge Park."

"What better way to celebrate and support Brooklyn Bridge Park? A beautiful sunset, family fun and, sizzling Bhangra energy," said Nancy Bowe, Chair of the Conservancy’s board. "We hope that the families we see at Pier 6, the sunbathers and visitors we see at Pier 1, and the joggers, bikers and walkers we see between the two will join us for a festive waterfront celebration as we honor Peter Meyer's, Paul Goodman's, and William Wachtel's many accomplishments."

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class 85-acre sustainable park. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the park features expansive lawns, waterfront promenades, playgrounds, a greenway, dog runs, and numerous concessions. More of the park is coming on-line this year, including a Pop-Up Pool at Pier 2 that will be in operation for the next five summers. The five-acre Pier 5, including three artificial turf soccer fields and adjacent picnic peninsula, will open in the late fall. The Squibb Park Bridge, which will provide an additional pedestrian entrance to the park from Brooklyn Heights, will also open in the late fall. 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.

Sunset is a key annual fundraiser for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization created over 25 years ago to advocate for a park along the downtown Brooklyn waterfront. Working in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and numerous community groups, the Conservancy has facilitated free public programming enjoyed by more than 700,000 visitors since 2000 in the beginnings of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

This year the Conservancy is working with Brooklyn Bridge Park to provide a rich series of free public programs in the park including the Thursday night Syfy Movies With A View series, the new Pop-Up Pool at Pier 2, outdoor fitness programs, kayaking and boating, children’s theater and other cultural events, and an extensive series of public and school-based educational programs.

Tickets to Sunset Bhangra begin at $125, with children's tickets for $25. Tickets are available online at www.brooklynbridgepark.org or by calling Richard Loyd at 718 802-0603. Proceeds support the Conservancy’s free public programming in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

The Conservancy has worked for more than 25 years to ensure the creation, adequate funding, proper maintenance, public support, and citizen enjoyment of Brooklyn Bridge Park through partnership with the public sector, development of program­ming, and active promotion of the needs of the park and its constituents. Since 2000, more than 700,000 visitors have enjoyed the Conservancy’s free, public programs in the beginnings of Brooklyn Bridge Park. For more information, visit www.brooklynbridgepark.org.

About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 7.8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business, and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,280 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas, and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized wealth management services through TD Wealth, and insurance products and services through TD Insurance, Inc. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., and Portland, Maine. To learn more, find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDMoneyLoungeUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US, or visit www.tdbank.com.

About East River Ferry

NY Waterway's East River Ferry features frequent, reliable service that connects Manhattan with various destinations in Brooklyn and Queens. The robust nature of the service and the ever increasing popularity of Brooklyn and Long Island City make this an attractive option for commuters, leisure travelers, and tourists alike. The East River Ferry connects east Midtown at 34th Street in Manhattan with Long Island City in Queens; Greenpoint, North and South Williamsburg, and DUMBO in Brooklyn; South Manhattan at Wall Street / Pier 11; and, in the months that it is open, Governors Island. The East River Ferry features double-decker catamaran vessels capable of transporting 149 passengers with on-boat bike racks to transport a small number of bicycles along with their riders (small surcharge for bike-on-boat riders). For more information, please visit www.eastriverferry.com.