Please join Abingdon Square Conservancy for
Our Second Annual
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 4
7:00 - 8:00 pm
(rain or shine)
+ Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies
+ Caroling
+ Tree-lighting at 7:30 pm by our special guest Santa Claus
+ Photos with Santa (bring your camera)
Please share your photos of the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
with #abingdonsquare.
Thank you to all who carved jack-o'-lanterns and hauled them to a balmy Abingdon Square on Halloween night. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, adding to the fun and fright! You can view a slide show of the ghastly festivities.
We’re also grateful to D'Agostino's for donating a portion of the pumpkins and Li-Lac Chocolates for donating treats for the legions of costumed children and kids-at-heart that paraded through the Square. We hope you will be back next Halloween to bask in the glow and good cheer of the Conservancy’s 10th Annual Pumpkin Patch!
Please join us for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 4, 7-8 pm. Santa Claus will do the honors, and then he'll be available to visit with kids and take photos with them.
Thank you,
Jeanne Bucknam
Master of Scaremonies
Board Member, Events Committee Chair
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Pick Up Your Free Pumpkin Starting Next Friday at 10 am!
Our 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch gets off to a spooktacular start next Friday, October 23! We’ll have 150 pumpkins—courtesy of our local D’Agostinos—available first-come, first-served.
1. Come pick up your free pumpkin at A-BOO!-ngdon Square beginning next Friday at 10 am.
2. Take home your ghoulish gourd and carve a fangtastic masterpiece.
3. Bring your jack-o’-lantern back to the Square anytime on Halloween, Saturday, October 31 and we’ll bring it to life at sunset!
4. Join us in the Square on Halloween night from 6 to 10 pm for our famous fiendish fiery display. We'll be passing out devilishly delicious treats—courtesy of Li-Lac Chocilates—and having a frightfully good time with our neighbors in costumes and plain clothes!
5. Share your photos on social media at #abingdonsquare.
Wishing you a Haunting Halloween,
Jeanne Bucknam
Master of Scaremonies
Board Member, Events Committee Chair
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Please allow us to briefly intrude on your summer reverie with some highlights and good news of the Conservancy’s year-to-date.
Summer Planting & Tree Pruning. The annual summer planting and tree pruning were completed in May. Hundreds of flowering summer annuals were installed in the center island. More shrubs and perennials were added to the perimeter beds. Much-needed pruning was done of all understory and the London Plane trees. Compost, soil and fertilizer were added to all of the flowerbeds. Tending to plants: weeding, deadheading, pruning and replacement is on-going. Like all activities in the Square, our glorious annual summer flower and plant display is made possible by you, our donors.
New Major Donors. We are delighted to welcome the following who have joined the Abingdon Square Guardians, our circle of major donors, in the first half of 2015:
- Lynne Block
- Nancy and Steve Crown
- Ara Hovnanian
- Allison Sarofim
Thank you to these generous individuals for providing significant support to further the Conservancy's mission of maintaining and improving the Square. Our special thanks to Dan and Brooke Neidich, J. Bland and Michael Katovitz for helping expand our major donor program.
Adopt-A-Bed Donors. Thank you again to the following generous contributors who adopted one of the Square’s ten flowerbeds for one, two or all three growing seasons at the Tulip Celebration in April. Three Growing Seasons: Mark Kucharski & Todd Hittle. Two Growing Seasons: Kate Bostock; Joan Ellis; Stephen Foster & Russell Saray; Frank Schwarzer; Lois Teich. One Growing Season: Anonymous; Deirdre Barry; Susan Boland & Kelly Granat; Kaya Chwals; Amy & Roberto Finzi; Nian Fish; Stephen Klein; Kate Lavin; Julie Lerner, in honor of Dan & Lyn Lerner; Barbara Lorber; Jeff & Cynthia Penney; David Salvatore; Jo & Henry Strouss, in memory of Watty Strouss; Kathleen Welch.
Third Annual Tulip Celebration. The Third Annual Tulip Celebration on April 28 was an overwhelming success. More than 200 supporters were in attendance at a new venue, Industria Superstudio, and more than $25,000 was raised. Huge thanks to the event sponsors, Bakehouse, Diptyque, Imperial Vintner, Li-Lac Chocolates, Mole and Pizzeterria Brunetti.
We hope that the Square’s lush summer flower and plant display provided you with cool vibes during the recent heat wave. You can beat the heat and bring magic to your summer nights by visiting the Square at dusk to watch the twinkle of fireflies!
Today Abingdon Square Conservancy published Growing Together, its annual report to the community for 2014. The report provides information about the organization’s accomplishments, financials and donors in 2014, and its 2015 projected revenue and expenses.
The Square is solely dependent on private donations for its operation. To continue helping to maintain and improve our Square and our community, the Conservancy’s donors and volunteers, as well as countless other supporters, are absolutely vital to the Square’s well-being. Please see pages 20-24 of the annual report to view all of our supporters in 2014.
View or download the 2014 Annual Report.
About the Conservancy
Abingdon Square Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, receives no public funding and is solely dependent on private donations for its operations. Our mission is to maintain and enhance the Square as a scenic and historic landmark and as a friendly gathering place for all in the West Village, in all seasons. The Conservancy employs a horticulturalist to design and cultivate its plantings, and a groundskeeper to maintain the Square.
On Tuesday, Abingdon Square was full of activity and excitement as the annual summer planting and tree pruning were completed. You can view a slide show of the summer planting and tree pruning.
The plants were chosen based on their beauty and the Square's different site conditions. (Some areas are sunny while others have a lot of tree cover.) Other considerations such as bloom time and plant height are also factored in.
Like all activities in the Square, the annual summer planting and tree pruning are made possible by you, our donors. The West Village wouldn't be what it is without the Square. And the Square wouldn't be what it is without you!
We would like to specifically recognize this year's Adopt-A-Bed donors, whom are some of the Conservancy's most generous contributors, adopting one of the Square’s ten flowerbeds for one, two or all three growing seasons.
Three Growing Seasons
Mark Kucharski & Todd Hittle
Two Growing Seasons
Joan Ellis
Stephen Foster & Russell Saray
Frank Schwarzer
Lois Teich
One Growing Season
Anonymous
Deirdre Barry
Susan Boland & Kelly Granat
Kaya Chwals
Nian Fish
Stephen Klein
Kate Lavin
Julie Lerner, in honor of Dan & Lyn Lerner
Barbara Lorber
Jeff & Cynthia Penney
David Salvatore
Jo & Henry Strouss, in memory of Watty Strouss
Kathleen Welch
Learn more about or join the Adopt-A-Bed Program.
Thankfully our long, cold, snowy winter and chilly spring are now nothing more than a memory. While this year's beloved, but fleeting tulip display has come and gone, we trust that the summer flower and plant display will bring you lots of wonder and joy for the next four months.
Thank you again for your support!
About the Conservancy
Abingdon Square Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, receives no public funding and is solely dependent on private donations for its operations. Our mission is to maintain and enhance the Square as a scenic and historic landmark and as a friendly gathering place for all in the West Village, in all seasons. The Conservancy employs a horticulturalist to design and cultivate its plantings, and a groundskeeper to maintain the Square.
The Third Annual Tulip Celebration was an overwhelming success! On a spring-like evening with the tulips in full bloom just a couple of blocks away in Abingdon Square, more than 200 of your neighbors and other friends of the Square celebrated our park, our community....and the highly anticipated arrival of spring. You can view a slide show of the festivities.
Thanks to our generous donors, the event generated more than $25,000 in revenue for the Square. And we have some additional donations to our Adopt-A-Bed Program in the works. You can still join the Adopt-A-Bed Program and play a central role in the Square's blooming seasons.
Huge thanks to the event sponsors, Bakehouse, Diptyque, Imperial Vintner, Li-Lac Chocolates, Mole and Pizzeterria Brunetti for making the Tulip Celebration possible. Please show your appreciation for their commitment to our community by thanking them for serving as sponsors and by patronizing all of their businesses.
Kindly mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual Tulip Celebration on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
Best regards,
H. Todd Hittle
Chair
Board of Directors
Please join your neighbors for an evening of fun, fellowship, food and drink. Net proceeds will help keep your Square vibrant in all seasons.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 6 - 8 pm.
Where: Industria Superstudio, 775 Washington Street (between Jane and 12th Streets).
RSVP: Click here or call (914) 420-8084 by April 21.
Cost: $50 per person in advance, $60 at the door.
Sponsors: Bakehouse, Diptyque, Imperial Vintner, Li-Lac Chocolates, Mole, Pizzetteria Brunetti.
Can’t Attend? Please visit abingdonsquare.org to donate or learn more.
About the Conservancy
Abingdon Square Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, receives no public funding and is solely dependent on private donations for its operations. Our mission is to maintain and enhance the Square as a scenic and historic landmark and as a friendly gathering place for all in the West Village, in all seasons. The Conservancy employs a horticulturalist to design and cultivate its plantings, and a groundskeeper to maintain the Square.
Save the Date
Third Annual
Tulip Celebration
A Member Appreciation Event
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
6 - 8 pm
Industria Superstudio
775 Washington Street
Formal invitation to follow
Thank You.
As another year comes to an end and we look back, we want to thank each and every one of you for supporting Abingdon Square. You didn’t let torrential rain keep you from the 2nd annual Tulip Celebration in April. You made the Pumpkin Patch wonderful, funny and incredibly sweet with your inventive and whimsical carvings at Halloween. And rain and cold were no obstacles for you to welcome Santa at our inaugural holiday tree lighting ceremony earlier this month. You are the reason that our all-volunteer board of directors, the members of our advisory board and numerous other tireless, unpaid stewards of the Square work hard to make every experience that you have with your Square, in every season, an enjoyable one.
Wishing you and yours a 2015 full of good health and joy!
Best regards,
H. Todd Hittle
Chair, Board of Directors
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Dear Neighbor,
Happy holidays! The Conservancy raises the entire annual operating budget for the Square, so we need your help to continue maintaining and improving the Square. Together let’s make the town square of the West Village even cleaner, greener and more vibrant in 2015.
If you haven’t done so already, please make a tax-deductible, year-end donation today.
Thank you for your support,
H. Todd Hittle
Chair, Board of Directors
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Dear Neighbor,
Did you know that Abingdon Square Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization, raises the entire annual operating budget for Abingdon Square? It is only through private donations that we are able to keep our beloved Square beautiful, clean and vibrant.
The Square’s lush lawn, seasonally changing flower displays and clean bluestone paths provide a serene escape to West Villagers every day all year round. So many of your neighbors get so much from the Square—whether enjoying the magnificent tulip display every April or catching up with a friend over a cup of coffee on a sunny park bench.
Click here now to help keep your Square beautiful and clean in 2015 and beyond by making your year-end 100% tax-deductible donation! And please know that every contribution helps, no matter the amount.
My thanks, in advance, and warm wishes for a year of good health and happiness for you and yours.
Best regards,
H. Todd Hittle
Chair, Board of Directors
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Dear Neighbor,
This time of year, as I reflect on those things for which I’m grateful, I think about how glad I am to have settled in the West Village a dozen years ago, and how relieved I am to finally have our neighborhood back today. After two years of construction to upgrade the Eighth Avenue water main, the road crews and chain-link are gone, trees freed from their cages, and Belgian block cobblestones returned to West 12th Street. A sense of peace and tranquility has been restored to the neighborhood around Abingdon Square.
Now it’s time to build on the progress we’ve made toward upgrading the Square.
In 2014, thanks to the generosity of our donors, Abingdon Square Conservancy was able to implement its most significant horticultural programming ever, including expanded plantings in the East and West perimeter beds. Hundreds of annuals and perennials, flowering shrubs, and evergreens were installed, adding to the lushness of the Square. A record number of bulbs—over 9,600—were planted this fall and will burst into bloom next spring.
But there’s still more to do.
The Conservancy has increased its budgetary goal for 2015 in order to further improve the seasonal plantings in the Square, including increasing plantings in the northern perimeter beds and adding a colorful fall display. The Conservancy also seeks to maintain a higher level of maintenance in 2015, which now includes a part-time groundskeeper who assures that trash is collected twice daily and the bluestone paths are swept daily and washed weekly during our busiest time from April to November. We are are also seeking to establish our first reserve fund, which would be monies set aside for operating expenses in the event of a financial emergency or for specific capital projects and improvements in the future.
We need your help to maintain, as well as improve, the Square. Because the operations of the Square are dependent on private donations, its improving condition is possible only because of the generosity of neighbors like you.
Membership in the Conservancy begins at $50, which includes an invitation to our annual membership appreciation event, our Third Annual Tulip Celebration on April 29, 2015.
A Conservancy membership also makes a marvelous holiday gift!
So many of your friends and neighbors get so much from the Square—whether catching up at the Saturday farmers’ market, snapping photos of the Halloween pumpkins or enjoying the Times over a cup of coffee on a sunny park bench. Won’t you please remember your Square and its importance to our community during this season of good cheer and gratitude?
Click here to help keep Abingdon Square beautiful and clean in 2015 by making your tax-deductible donation before December 31!
My thanks, in advance, and warm wishes for a year of good health and happiness for you and yours.
H. Todd Hittle
Chair, Board of Directors
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Over one hundred children and children-at-heart celebrated the holiday season at Abingdon Square, the town square of the West Village, on Friday night. Joyous and wet Villagers drank hot chocolate and ate cookies donated by Mole Restaurant, sang carols, enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus and watched the lighting of the 18-foot-tall Frazier fir tree in the center of the Square. The crowd included a couple that came down from Inwood, saying, "This is way more fun than the mob scene at Rockefeller Center!"
Special thanks to Mole Restaurant and to all of the volunteers for their hard work in organizing this first-ever event, which we hope will become a West Village tradition.
Adair Mueller, Jeanne Bucknam and Jane Stouffer
Co-Chairs, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Event Committee
About the Conservancy
Abingdon Square is dependent on private donations for its operations and maintenance. The Conservancy receives no public funding. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the Square as a scenic and historic landmark and as a friendly gathering place for local residents—young and old. The Conservancy employs a horticulturalist to design and maintain its plantings, and a groundskeeper to keep the Square clean.
Support Your Square
Help us maintain your Square as a vibrant part of our shared community. The Conservancy is a non-profit public charity exempt from federal income tax. Your donation is 100% tax deductible. Please donate and learn more atabingdonsquare.org.
Please join Abingdon Square Conservancy
for its inaugural
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 5
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies
Caroling
Tree-lighting at 7:30pm by our special guest Santa Claus
Photos with Santa (bring your camera)
Abingdon Square is dependent on
private donations for its operations.
Please support your Square by visiting
and making a donation.
Thank you to all who carved pumpkins and hauled them to a chilly Abingdon Square on Halloween night. Thank you to everyone that stopped by, adding to the fright and fun!
To view a slide show of the festivities, please click here.
We’re also grateful to D'Agostino's for donating pumpkins and Li-Lac Chocolates for donating treats for the legions of girls and boys that paraded through the Square.
We hope that all of you will be back next Halloween to bask in the glow and good cheer of the Conservancy’s 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch!
Thank you,
Jeanne Bucknam
Master of Scaremonies
Board Member, Events Committee Chair
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Be forewarned! If our terrifying tradition holds true, tonight, tens of Jack-O'-Lanterns will mysteriously appear in Abingdon Square!
Do you dare bring the kids? Is it safe to stop by and take photos?
Those brave souls and scaredy-cats that dare to venture onto the haunted grounds of the Square from 6:00 - 10:00 pm will receive a treat from Conservancy board members and volunteers!
Happy Halloween!!
Jeanne Bucknam
Master of Scaremonies
Board Member, Events Committee Chair
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Dear Neighbors,
Happy fall from Abingdon Square Conservancy! As we approach the end of the new Conservancy’s second full year of operations and put the gardens to bed for the winter, we'd like to provide an update on our progress and say thank you very much to all our donors for gifts both large and small. Because the operations and maintenance of the Square are dependent on private donations, its improving condition is only possible because of the generosity of people like you.
Update
As part of our efforts to make the Square more beautiful and welcoming in all seasons, the Conservancy has embarked upon a multi-year project to increase the variety, density and health of the plantings. We are also focused on the cleanliness and improved overall maintenance of the Square.
Plantings & Gardening
Susan Sipos, principal of Gardens of Distinction, serves as the Square's Horticulturalist and Landscape Designer. The following horticultural tasks were completed in 2014:
Groundskeeping & Maintenance
The Conservancy employs Ramon Valdez as the Square's part-time groundskeeper. In addition to the City's trash collection, Ramon and his crew haul out garbage and sweep in the Square once or twice daily during "high season" from April 1 to November 30, and provide other maintenance as needed, including:
Special Thanks
Residential Buildings
A few buildings near the Square, recognizing the value to residents of having a beautiful and well-maintained park nearby, have contributed to Abingdon Square annually for several years, providing a critical foundation of support and continuity. This year, our newest neighbor The Abingdon has joined in support:
Adopt-A-Bed Donors
The following individual donors made significant contributions, adopting one of the Square’s ten flowerbeds for part or all of the three growing seasons in 2014.
Three Growing Seasons
Two Growing Seasons
One Growing Season
Advisory Board
Founded in February 2014, the Advisory Board is composed of leading members of the West Village community who have made an extraordinary commitment to the Conservancy's mission of restoring, enhancing, and maintaining the Square. The Advisory Board’s current membership is as follows:
And finally, thank you to the local businesses and each and every one of the hundreds of individuals who have contributed to our Conservancy's efforts this year (See ASC’s 2014 Annual Report for a complete list of donors). Thanks to you, 2015 will be our best year ever. See you in the Square!
Best Regards,
H. Todd Hittle
Chair, Board of Directors
Abingdon Square Conservancy
Starts Friday at 10 am!
Our 8th Annual Pumpkin Patch gets off to a spooktacular start this Friday, October 24! We’ll have 80 pumpkins—courtesy of our local D’Agostinos—available first-come, first-served.
1. Come pick up your free pumpkin at A-BOO!-ngdon Square beginning Friday at 10 am.
2. Take home your ghoulish gourd and carve a fangtastic masterpiece.
3. Bring your jack-o’-lantern back to the Square anytime on Halloween, Friday, October 31 and we’ll bring it to life at sunset!
Wishing you a Haunting Halloween,
Jeanne Bucknam
Master of Scaremonies
Board Member, Events Committee Chair
Abingdon Square Conservancy
