Community

St. Vartan Park Conservancy recognizes that the park community extends beyond the footprint of the park, into surrounding areas in East Midtown Manhattan. The Conservancy works with organizations and individuals to help champion causes that make the community better for all.

Some of those the Conservancy works with appear below in alphabetical order with links to their online homes.

On October 24, 2025, near St. Vartan Park, community leaders gathered to announce the start of construction to transform space at 34th Street and the East River from a two-tiered outdoor parking facility to a public pocket park starting with a temporary build that includes ADA-accessible outdoor fitness equipment. At the session, (from left), St. Vartan Park Conservancy president Kevin O’Keefe stands alongside NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, near Waterside Plaza Tenants Association president Janet Handal, Manhattan Community Board 6 (CB6) chair and Alliance for Kips Bay leader Sandra McKee and CB6 district manager Jesus Perez. The space had been used for parking for more than 30 years.

Members of Cub Scouts Pack 422 participate in a community service session in the St. Vartan Park public garden hosted by St. Vartan Park Conservancy on October 26, 2024

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A segment of Second Avenue that passes the gold-topped St. Vartan Park Armenian Cathedral (background) and St. Vartan Park appears in the 1970 feature film ‘Love Story,’ with co-stars Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal in a 1945 MG TC black convertible (center)

This image of Second Avenue and East 35th Street across the street from St. Vartan Park is from an establishing shot in the 2000 film ‘Boiler Room’