Advocacy
St. Vartan Park Conservancy was launched in 2022 to act “on behalf of the public to improve St. Vartan Park and its surrounding community.” We are reflecting this mission by joining affiliate Manhattan East Community Association in leading or otherwise championing community advocacy campaigns.
Some of the campaigns have helped deliver wins for the community. Below are links to Conservancy newsletter items published about some of the still-ongoing campaigns.
The First Avenue MTA green triangular parcel appears on May 23, 2023
Open First Avenue MTA Triangular Green Space to Public
MTA Starts to Turn Green Space Across from Park Garden into Storage | April 3, 2026
Campaign to Unlock MTA Green Ready for Answers | June 25, 2025
MTA Green-Lights Next Step Toward Green Access | June 13, 2025
This Week Marks Deadline for MTA to Address Locked Green | June 9, 2025
Response Deadline Set for MTA on Green Space | May 27, 2025
Petition to Access, Beautify Green Opens Strong | May 16, 2025
Five Federal, State, City, Borough Elected Officials Issue Directive | May 8, 2025
Park Earth Day Brings Demand for Details About Locked Green Space | May 2. 2025
Lawmakers to Announce Green Community Action | April 25, 2025
Senator Gonzalez Named Event Co-Host | April 16, 2025
Documentary Extra Shows Local Open Space Plan | February 5, 2025
Day to Show Need for Green Access Near Park | April 3, 2024
Coalition Strengthens for First Avenue Green | November 10, 2023
Plan to Open and Steward MTA Parcel Expands | November 10, 2023
Senator Joins Conservancy to Hear Community | August 26, 2023
Conservancy Advocacy Campaigns Tracked | August 8, 2023
Senator and Conservancy Work to Access Green | July 14, 2023
Campaign to Open MTA Green Space Grows | March 15, 2023
Questions Rise After MTA Blocks Nature Access | February 3, 2023
Documentary Extra Shows Local Open Street Plan | February 5, 2025
Elected Officials Move to Open Green Near Park | January 9, 2023
Advocacy for Inclusivity and Equity to Hold Firm | December 22, 2022
Conservancy Gains Support to Open Green | October 6, 2022
As part of a successful Open Street trial, a Halloween party is held on the East 36th Stretch at the north side of St. Vartan Park between First Avenue and Tunnel Approach Street on October 31, 2021
Create More Community Space in and Alongside Park
Use of Popular Park Field to be Addressed at Public Meeting Tomorrow Evening | May 4, 2026
Conservancy Continues Public-Access Appeal | April 3, 2026
Garden Access Grows to Seven Days A Week, 10 Hours a Day During Playground Rebuild | March 26, 2026
Nearest Public Playground Equipped to0 St. Vartan Park Open at 29th and Second | March 17, 2026
MTA Green-Lights Next Step Toward Green Access | June 13, 2025
This Week Marks Deadline for MTA to Address Locked Green | June 9, 2025
1,000-Plus Signees Aboard Open-Space Campaign | May 27, 2025
Open Street Plan Advances to Next Step in Review | May 16, 2025
Park Open Street Proposal Reaches City Review Phase | April 16, 2025
Application to Request July 1 Open Street Launch | March 25, 2025
Open Street Petition Hits 500 Verified Signatures | March 11, 2025
Conservancy to Apply for Park Open Street | February 28, 2025
475 and Counting Stand Up for Open Street at Park | February 18, 2025
Documentary Extra Shows Local Open Street Plan | February 5, 2025
Open Street Petition Crosses 85 Percent of Goal | January 21, 2025
Conservancy Open Street Petition Tops U.S. List | January 16, 2025
Park Open Street Signatures Reach Toward 500 | December 31, 2024
Support of Park Open Street Continues Growth | December 19, 2024
Park Open Street Petition Passes 350 Signatures | December 2, 2024
Proposed Open Street at Park Gains More Ground | November 20, 2024
Community Shows More Love of Open Street Plan | November 5, 2024
265 and Counting Stand Up for Open Street at Park | October 10, 2024
Support Widens for Open Street Alongside Park | September 18, 2024
Conservancy Launches Petition for Open Street Block | August 25, 2024
Community Eyes Return of Open Street at Park | October 25, 2022
Keep Sunlight on Bellevue Gardens
Bellevue Publicly Codifies Daily Gardens Access | February 28, 2025
Bellevue Sobriety Garden Boosted by Resolution | September 18, 2024
Kips Bay Garden Sunlight Conversation Continues | January 31, 2024
MECA to Keep Shining Light on Health Towers Plan | November 20, 2023
Sunny Days Ahead for Bellevue Garden? | November 22, 2022
On May 18, 2023, at the Carlton Regency public arcade, arcade plans were addressed by resident manager Robert Holmes; Aubrey Phillibert, vice president of Carlton Regency management company FirstService Residential; AIP Committee chair and Carlton Regency board member Connie Miller; the Conservancy’s Kevin O'Keefe; and Murray Hill Neighborhood Association trustee and Carlton Regency resident Nancy Idaka Sheran
Transform Murray Hill Public Arcade
More Opportunity Seen for Local Open Spaces | April 3, 2024
Community Partner Revives Life Aboard Flight | October 20, 2024
Plan to Transform Community Space Advances | June 27, 2023
Land Use Group Supports Plan for Public Space | May 30, 2023
Community Team Aims to Revolutionize Public Space | May 19, 2023
