BIENNIAL REPORT
July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2021 Connecting people and nature
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Dear Friends of Mill River Park, You never know how precious something is until you lose it. That’s how I have felt for the last 18 months or so as COVID-19 took over our lives and a lot of our freedoms. At the same time, we have also come to appreciate more than ever what we can count on. During this pandemic era, the people of Stamford came to fully realize what they could count on, indeed rely on—Mill River Park. When you felt so confined and pent up that you could barely breathe, you could still take a stroll or a jog in Mill River Park. The fresh air, the sounds of the river, and the sight of a cherry blossom could revive us and recharge us for another round of confinement. Mill River Park broke all its old records for attendance. We were there for you and brought new resonance to our motto: Connecting People and Nature. We were there for front-line workers as well. We turned the Carousel Pavilion into a day care center for some Stamford Hospital workers’ children. When 2
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we could, we restarted our outdoor exercise classes so that the community could get outside and exercise. All in all, we were there for you. As we prayerfully come out of this trying time in our lives, Mill River Park Collaborative isn’t standing still. Our Middle Corridor project (east of the river between Tresser Boulevard and Richmond Hill Avenue) is well on its way to completion with new trails, trees, and horseshoe pits. In 2022, the Greenway will go north from Broad Street to Scalzi Park. It’s all part of our vision to create a 3-mile greenway from Scalzi to Stamford Harbor. With luck we’ll see the creation of a new pedestrian bridge connecting Main Street in downtown with the west side. Most significantly, the Whittingham Discovery Center will open next summer with state-of the-art environmental classrooms and exhibits, a café and outdoor dining patio, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Park. It is tragic that Andrew and Michael Whittingham, the brothers whose vision and extraordinary generosity inspired the construction of the Center, did not live to see their vision realized. Both passed away in the last 18 months.
Very sadly, last May I added the title of acting CEO to my Chairman role with the untimely and tragic passing of CEO Dudley Williams. Dudley was an inspirational leader whose love of education guided the Collaborative to even more focus on educational programs for the city’s children, especially underserved children. Dudley’s infectious good humor and huge laugh kept our staff motivated, and his memory has pushed all of us to do better; to be better. I will very gladly be giving up my acting CEO title to Nette Compton, who will join us on January 3, 2022. Nette is a landscape architect by training and comes to us from the Trust for Public Land where she was most recently head of strategic planning. I am excited to have Nette join the team, and I anticipate she will lead us to an even higher level of programming and service to the community. Thank you.
Arthur Selkowitz, Chairman Connecting people and nature
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Connecting people and nature Community programs While some things looked a bit different during COVID-19, Mill River Park still provided opportunities for the community to gather, exercise, connect with nature, relax, celebrate, learn, and have fun! The Park continued to flourish, while expanding infrastructure to engage the community and connect visitors with nature. The Collaborative organized fun, educational, and safe events throughout 2019 and 2020!
Collaborative sponsored events Outdoor summer fitness programs Mill River Park Collaborative provides a scenic escape for all Stamford residents to exercise while connecting with nature. Our free summer Fit Club programs typically run from mid-May through mid-September.
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Cornhole Our diverse classes provide an opportunity for all fitness levels to move with fellow community members in the open space of the Park. Classes include: Rhythmic Yoga with Live Drumming, BollyFit, Zumba, Senior Gold Fitness, World of Dance, Sunrise Yoga and more. In 2019, we were proud to offer five classes per week, serving 2,320 fit seekers. Although some classes made adjustments in 2020, we continued to offer safe summer Fit Club programs in 2020, adhering to all state and city COVID-19 protocols. Our unique outdoor venue became a vital outlet for many to safely de-stress during the pandemic. We even added one additional class per week, hosting six classes per week, serving 3,441 park fitness participants. All Fit Club classes are FREE and open to the public.
Every spring and fall, Stamford residents look forward to competing for the title of Mill River Park’s ultimate cornhole champions! This highly popular adult league meets weekly to unwind with some friendly competition in the Park. In 2019, we hosted 20 teams over six weeks. Because of the need to physically distance due to COVID-19, we were not able to hold the league in 2020.
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Halloween Halloween is one of our favorite times in the Park. The occasion brings together many Stamford-area families of all ages. In 2019, we hosted about 2,000 children for our annual Spooktacular party, which included dozens of activities like pick-your-own pumpkin patch in the meadows, free games, a bounce amusement zone, and creepy crafts. In 2020, we provided the community with an opportunity to safely celebrate Halloween by creatively pivoting to a socially distanced Halloween Scavenger Hunt! Families visiting the Park could download a scavenger hunt app to complete fun tasks and earn treats. We are proud that Mill River Park’s Halloween traditions remained as a constant part of the Stamford community. Even during the pandemic, the Park provided Halloween fun for close to 500 children.
“Of course I love the native plants, but they also have great programming for kids.” — Karen R. (via Facebook)
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Winter fun at Mill River Park Every November, Mill River Park kicks off the holiday season by welcoming the community to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center! Opened in 2018, the ice rink features 9,000 square feet of ice dedicated to recreational skating. 2019 was a stellar season, as the rink hosted 12,272 guests between November and mid-February. In 2020, we redesigned the rink for a safer experience by limiting capacity and enforcing face mask usage. Unfortunately, the rink had a very short season due to a state-mandated pandemic closure. In our abbreviated three-week season, we hosted 2,520 happy skaters.
“Awesome for the Stamford area.... Great activities to meet new people and stay healthy.” — Val J. (via Facebook)
On December 6, 2019, we held the inaugural lighting of our 20-foot tree at the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center. The event also included a performance by two local figure skaters: 10-year-old, 2020 New England Regional medalist and 2020 Juvenile Eastern Sectional competitor, Lillian Valiquette, and 8-year-old, 2020 New England Regional competitor, Victoria Valiquette.
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Throughout December 2019 and into 2020, hundreds of visitors delighted in Mill River Park’s horse and carriage rides, in partnership with Allegra Farm.
New Year: Skating with UConn and lessons We continued the time-honored ice skating tradition in 2019, hosting visitors of all ages and skill levels. The rink welcomed many area skaters, including many University of Connecticut–Stamford students. We also hosted several lessons for community members. 10
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In December 2019, Mill River Park Collaborative partnered with Half Full Brewery to bring a Winter Beer Garden to the Park. The event ran every Friday to Sunday throughout the month of December and included highlights such as a holiday movie marathon, a silent disco party, and ice sculptures. 12
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Community partnership events Mill River Park’s Karp Family Great Lawn is a popular destination for large community events. Each year the Collaborative partners with community organizations to host events for all ages.
Hey Stamford! In the Summer of 2019, Mill River Park Collaborative hosted the 3rd Annual Hey Stamford! Food Festival. Celebrating food, culture and community over two days, the Hey Stamford! Food Festival featured almost 50 of the area’s most delectable food trucks and vendors. The Blind Rhino Beer Garden served up cold craft beers and specialty drinks, plus provided a full main-stage concert experience. The event was, once again, a huge success, drawing over 10,000 attendees. Due to COVID-19, this event was not held in 2020.
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“Mill River Park is an awesome addition to the city of Stamford!! Beautiful park setting with fun events for all ages. Concerts, cornhole league and activities for kids and much more. Thank you and keep it coming!!” — Beth D. (via Facebook)
Country Rocks the Park Mill River Park hosted Country Rocks the Park, a live music festival weekend. The two-day, all ages, country music event featured live performances on the Stamford Ford Lincoln Mainstage by Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., Willie Jones, Seaforth, and more. Regional performance highlights included Houston Bernard Band and Jump The Gunn. The event also included over 20 of Stamford’s best BBQ restaurants, food trucks, and craft beer vendors. Due to COVID-19, this event was not held in 2020.
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Brownstein Selkowitz Carousel Pavilion: Fun for all ages The Brownstein | Selkowitz Carousel Pavilion has become a highly sought-after spot for celebration in the Stamford community. From toddlers to seniors, we’ve hosted parties and fun for all ages. During the pandemic, we hosted a weekly Carousel Story Time (via Zoom), with sing-a-longs and dances to preschool children’s favorite tunes. Once pandemic rules began to lessen and gatherings were allowed, the Carousel Pavilion became a popular destination for corporate and social gatherings.
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Thanks to our volunteers Our dedicated volunteers help keep Mill River Park safe, clean, and beautiful. Our volunteers include corporate partners, community members, and civic groups dedicated to the Park and our community. Volunteers learn the significance of each project and leave with a sense of purpose for not only helping the environment, but also for being an integral part of shaping the larger, ongoing conservation management of the Park.
2019 22 GROUPS 1,105 VOLUNTEERS 5,642 HOURS
2020 13 GROUPS 338 VOLUNTEERS 1,078 HOURS
Some of our major volunteer projects have included: invasive plant species removal; garden plantings; weeding gardens, paths, and other hardscapes; playground washing; litter cleanup; sapling tree removal; lawn care; meadow plant transplanting; riverbank stabilization; riverbank debris removal; and more. In fiscal year 2019, we hosted 22 volunteer groups, providing 5,642 hours of service by 1,105 individuals. Despite the limitations of COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020, our volunteers came out to aid the Park: 13 groups, encompassing 338 individuals, provided 1,078 hours of service. 20 millriverpark.org
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Volunteer groups
Indeed
Ernst & Young
FY19 Volunteer groups
Sacred Heart Med Students
Community Day
Solebury Trout
UConn Service Club
Marriott
UBS
UBS (via Jersey Cares) YMCA Campers Diageo AIFS Stantec
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KPMG Interns Morgan Stanley Deloitte
Ernst & Young
FY20 Volunteer groups
UConn Freshman
Deloitte
Allergan
Grant Thornton
Castleton Commodities International
YMCA Middle School
Synchrony Financial
UBS (via Jersey Cares)
UConn Service Club
Greenwich Apple Store
KPMG
Robert Half
Apple
DWR
XL Catlin
Henkel
Viacom
UConn Freshman
“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” — Native American proverb
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that one of the most important things the Park has to offer is the park itself. Many people found themselves growing restless at home, stuck behind virtual offices and schools, or emotionally and physically exhausted from serving on the front lines. The Park became a place of respite for the community and it experienced a marked—and welcomed—increase in foot traffic throughout the pandemic. We are thrilled to provide a space for friends and neighbors to safely congregate, as well as alcoves of natural beauty for individuals to escape and relax. We were reminded once again of the significant role Mill River Park plays as an urban greenspace for Stamford and the surrounding areas.
COVID-19 community programs In March of 2020, Mill River Park—along with much of the world—entered a shelter-in-place order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Park never closed, this meant that some of our public programs came to an immediate halt, as we reconsidered how to safely serve our community during an uncertain time. We were able to meet some immediate needs like child care and food distribution, however we soon learned 24
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“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” — John Burroughs
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converted the Brownstein I Selkowitz Carousel Pavilion into an emergency child care facility for essential workers, from healthcare workers to hospital cleaning staff to pharmacy workers, providing full day child care services for elementary school-aged children.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Lamont closed all Connecticut schools in March 2020. Local agencies like child care facilities, libraries, youth centers, and other regional programs also closed or significantly reduced their services. These widespread, necessary closures left essential workers scrambling to find child care so they could continue to go to the jobs that kept our community functioning and safe. In response to this urgent need, Mill River Park partnered with the State of Connecticut, Stamford Hospital, and Dalio Philanthropies’ Project 26 Initiative to launch an emergency child care program. Mill River Park quickly 26
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Additionally, Mill River Park launched an emergency food program during COVID-19 to feed families struggling to fill the weekend food gap. With schools closed, many children lost their subsidized breakfast and lunch. During the early onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Mill River Park distributed “lunch and learning” packs to low-income community members to help keep kids’ bellies full while providing engaging family learning materials. In partnership with the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, we were able to fill the weekend food gap for 310 area residents.
“Great place to relax any time or day of the week.” — Jason J. (via Facebook)
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Connecting Stamford-area youth with nature
“Walks in nature can improve cognitive brain function.” — USDA
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Our environmental education programs offer direct experiences with nature that classroom learning cannot provide. Experiential learning is at the core of our programs, as we strive to uniquely engage Stamford youth, setting them up for a lifetime of environmental stewardship and an appreciation for their local community. We evaluate our programs to ensure that students reach certain benchmarks for each program and that programs reach students who are historically excluded from environmental enrichment.
environmental science in their own neighborhood. In 2020, we pivoted to a virtual platform and delivered an adapted version of the fourth grade enrichment program. We held the program via Zoom for 15 classes from 4 different schools, which were very highly received by students and teachers.
Fourth Grade Program In 2019, the Collaborative’s Fourth Grade Program offered science enrichment to six elementary schools in the Stamford district. The program was a threepart enrichment program that reached over 600 fourth grade students, exposing them to hands-on 29
to introduce Henkel Researchers’ World in the region. Researchers’ World is a global out-of-school educational initiative designed by Henkel to introduce children, ages 8–10, to the fascinating world of science. Using scientific methods, critical testing, analysis, and data interpretation and creativity, children gain insight into the wonders of science. Since its inauguration in April 2011, Researchers’ World has served more than 62,000 children around the world. The Collaborative successfully adapted Researchers’ World lessons to provide an engaging and educational experience using the natural resources found in the Park.
Henkel Researchers’ World at Mill River Park In the fall of 2020, Mill River Park Collaborative had the exciting opportunity to partner with Henkel Corporation to launch Henkel Researchers’ World in North America. Henkel, a leading global consumer goods company with its North American Consumer Goods Headquarters in downtown Stamford, worked with the Collaborative
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Due to COVID-19, this pilot program consisted of a hybrid in-person and at-home STEM education curriculum for Stamford students. Eventually, we pivoted the program to be fully remote, for a total of seven student lessons. Approximately 30 students participated in Researchers’ World from November to December in 2020. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Henkel and expanding this exciting program in 2021!
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Stewards The Mill River Stewards High School Internship Program introduces Stamford high school students to careers in environmental conservation and stewardship, and provides them with the “soft skills” necessary to successfully navigate work environments. The Stewards program is a paid internship for Stamford teens with a focus on increasing Stewards’ environmental literacy and awareness. The Stewards engage in projects, enriching field trips, and careerreadiness workshops during their internship. Since its launch in December 2010, the Mill River Stewards Program has served more than 100 teens between the ages of 15 and 18. In 2019, the Stewards Program served 10. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the 2020 Mill River Park Stewards High School Internship Program was highly successful, hosting 12 students. Highlights include delivering our typical summer curriculum—environmental education, career skills workshops, and lots of conservation work in the field. In 2020, students went hiking at Hook Mountain in Rockland, New York, and attended the reopening of the New York Botanical Garden. The most significant undertaking this summer was fundraising for the Food 32
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Forest project. Using the Sustainable CT platform, Stewards raised almost $8,000 in donations, which was then matched to bring the total over $15,000. Although we’ve had to make some adjustments to the program to account for everyone’s safety, the Stewards Program remains an important outreach to high school students. One of the most important goals of the Stewards Program is for Stewards to have an increased awareness of their surroundings and the role greenspace plays in cities, as well as an understanding Connecting people and nature
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of climate change, over-consumption, resiliency, sustainability, and environmental conservation. We also ensure that Stewards have the skills and information necessary to pursue future job, internship opportunities, and environmental training at the collegiate level. Through career readiness workshops, Stewards refine resume and cover letter writing skills, and conduct mock interviews to practice real world skills and assess their performance.
“Nature makes you more creative. Experiencing the wonder of nature can inspire people to solve problems more cooperatively and creatively.” — National Park Service
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In 2019, we hosted a total of 146 children during Vacation Camps and 39 unique campers during Summer Camp. Thanks to generous donors, we were able to provide financial assistance to 23% of our campers. In 2020, we hosted a total of 23 children during Vacation Camps and 27 unique campers during the summer. One third of campers received financial aid in fiscal year 2020. Mill River Park Collaborative is committed to ensuring that all Stamford children have access to the highquality programming at Mill River Summer and Vacation Camps.
Summer and Vacation Camps Mill River Vacation and Summer Camps are the only camps that blend traditional camp activities with environmental education and recreation in the heart of Stamford. Our highly popular Vacation Camp offers children full-day camp when school is out of session, all year long. Our Summer Camp, which launched in 2019, focuses on urban environmental education during the summer months. Our camps incorporate adventure, arts, recreation, stewardship, cultural & diversity awareness, teamwork, and most of all fun!
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Using lessons learned from our inaugural year, the Collaborative aims to see a 10% growth in our Summer Camp attendance. The Collaborative intends to maintain its commitment to provide financial assistance for those who need it.
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Tribute to Dudley N. Williams Jr. In May 2021, we lost Dudley Williams Jr., the President and CEO of the Park from August 2017 until his very untimely death. An extraordinarily successful businessman and community leader, Dudley first connected with Mill River Park in the early days of the Park’s development. As Director of Corporate Citizenship & Diversity at GE Asset Management, Dudley was highly instrumental in persuading the corporate leaders of that company to support the Park when it was just a vision in the eyes of a few community and city government individuals. He led GE to make the largest corporate gift to Mill River Park in its history. The Grand Steps were named in GE’s honor as a result.
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Later, as a member of Stamford’s Board of Finance, Dudley was a consistent cheerleader for the Park’s development and the city’s support of it. Dudley was a steadfast advocate of the Park. In 2017, Dudley accepted the call of duty when he agreed to become CEO of the Park after his retirement from GE. From that perch, Dudley nourished staff development and brought new focus to that part of the Park’s mission that uses the Park as a catalyst for greater environmental awareness and education among the young. For all these reasons and just for the wonderful smile and big laughter he brought to work every day, he will be sorely missed.
“There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm.” — Theodore Roosevelt
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Tribute to Andrew and Michael Whittingham Sadly, in 2020 both Whittingham brothers, Michael and then Andrew, passed away. Andrew and Michael Whittingham were already leading philanthropists in the fields of healthcare and the arts when they became acquainted with Mill River Park. Their interest in the Park stemmed initially from Michael’s goal of improving educational opportunities for under-served children. He saw the Park as a vehicle for experiential learning, which he knew was a particularly effective way to get children involved in learning. He admired the Collaborative’s school program that brought kids into the Park to learn science and raise environmental awareness.
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He served on the Board of the Collaborative from March 2016 until his passing. Andrew quickly signed on to the Collaborative’s mission as well, as they both felt that the Park’s proximity to the west side would significantly benefit that under-served community. Their commitment translated into the Whittingham Discovery Center, now under construction in the Park, which will be a focus of environmental awareness and education. Very sadly, Andrew and Michael will not be with us when the Whittingham Discovery Center opens in late summer, 2022, but their vision and demonstrated support will enrich the lives of Stamford’s school children for generations to come.
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Mill River Park continues to grow to serve the community We are proud to share that the Whittingham Discovery Center is in active construction and is anticipated to open in the summer of 2022. It is a state-of-the-art building on the east side of the Park, committed to environmental education and fun! With close to 11,000 square feet, the Discovery Center will be a hub of free recreational and environmental educational opportunities in Stamford. Its construction will add to the activation of the Park, with year-round programs and services. The Discovery Center will be the largest building in the Park and will serve as the hub for operations, recreational and educational programs, and public services. The Discovery Center will house an amphitheater; an environmental exhibition space, complete with fish and other living park wonders; three Urban Ecology Classrooms (UEC); a café; a rooftop garden observation deck; and outdoor patios and sitting areas.
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The Discovery Center will also feature an Environmental Learning Lab that will serve as a designated space for adults and children alike to engage in hands-on environmental studies. The Environmental Learning Lab will contain equipment and resources for: •
Water and soil testing
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ippowam River ecology and terrestrial R listening station
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Analysis of mapping and remote sensing data
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ocal bird identification by sight and sound L and plant identification and analysis
In addition, strategically placed Environmental Monitoring Stations will afford students the chance to assess the ecology of the area, document any environmental changes, and take samples—which can be further evaluated and studied in the Discovery Center. The findings from the Stations will inform a deeper understanding of the Rippowam River watershed ecology and provide a unique and innovative learning experience for Stamford residents. We expect that the Whittingham Discovery Center will be fully open in the summer of 2022.
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Playground renovation We had planned to demolish the playground originally constructed in 2006 by a team of volunteers and rebuild a new playground and splash pad in 2020. Because of the pandemic, we were forced to put our grand plans on hold for a bit. During that time, we’ve listened to input from the community, and our new plans consist of more swings, greater activities for toddlers, an extraordinary art deco climbing tree, and more. We are now back on track and expect to be totally renovated and ready for play in time for summer 2022!
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What’s next
“Access to parks is a social equalizer, addressing health disparities and benefiting people’s health and well-being.” — National Park Service
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Mill River Square
Dog Park
Planning is beginning for the creation of Mill River Square, a public gathering spot along Washington Boulevard that is sure to become Stamford’s town square. The site, often referred to as Archstone, was temporarily set up a few years ago as the Mill River Park Back Porch, complete with bocce court, garden seating, and a picnic area. Long-term plans for this site include a permanent location for performances and other large events as well as a new formal entrance to the Park on Washington Avenue.
In 2018, with the help of a generous corporate donor, we created the temporary Mill River Dog Park along Washington Boulevard. It only took hours for this to become one of the Park’s most popular features. We are now exploring locations for a permanent, larger, and more expansive dog park. We will ensure this world-class dog park is worthy of Stamford-area canines, by providing a large area to run, designated sections for large and small dogs, as well as benches and shade for dogs and their human friends.
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Middle Corridor West The Middle Corridor of Mill River Park is part of our Phase II expansion. It stretches from Tresser Boulevard to Richmond Hill Avenue, and it is divided by the river into an east and west section. Construction is currently underway for the west section of the Middle Corridor, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. This project is partially funded through a grant with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the City of Stamford and a generous private donor. In the very near future, there will be walking paths; thousands of new native perennials, shrubs and trees; benches; and horseshoe pits. The Middle Corridor is an important next step in our efforts to extend Mill River Park south to Long Island Sound.
Ways you can help As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on our donors to maintain, program, and build the Park. There are many ways to support the Park:
Make a piece of the Park yours. Consider a naming opportunity by making a piece of the Park yours. You will be leaving a living legacy to the community.
Become a member. By becoming a Collaborative member, you can help preserve this vital community resource and natural ecosystem in the heart of Stamford. Plus, join other dedicated supporters for exclusive members-only events.
Make the Park part of your estate planning. Ensure your impact by including Mill River Park Collaborative in your planned giving. Options include making a bequest to the Park, and naming the Park on your life insurance policy or charitable trust. Tax advantages associated with each option vary, so we recommend you consult with your tax advisor prior to making a giving plan.
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2013
2022
More growth. More Park. 2022
As we look toward the future, the Greenway will continue north from Broad Street to Scalzi Park and south to the Harbor. It’s all part of our vision to create a 3-mile greenway from Scalzi Park to Stamford Harbor.
creation of the 2006 | The Mill River Park Playground restoration 2009 | The of Mill River The creation of 12 acres
2013 | of beautiful landscape in the heart of Stamford
2009
Brownstein | Selkowitz 2017 | The Carousel Pavilion Steven & Alexandra Cohen 2018 | The Skating Center and Fountain opening of 2022 | Projected Whittingham Discovery Center
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2006 2018
2022
opening of 2022 | Projected Middle Corridor West
S
re-opening of the 2022 | Projected Mill River Park Playground
W
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Mill River Park’s 2020 financials Corporate & Foundation Sponsorship 18.5%
Fee-for-Programming/Service
Fundraising Events
9.3%
TOTAL REVENUE $2,407,286
8.3%
8.3%
Individual Donations
Fiscal year 2020 operating revenue City of Stamford Operations Grant Operations Tax Incremental Funding Total City of Stamford Investment Income Individual Donations Fundraising Events Fee-for-Programming/Service Corporate and Foundation Sponsorship TOTAL REVENUE
Fiscal year 2020 operating expenses $662,000 $675,000 $1,337,000 $637 $199,800 $200,743 $222,966 $446,140
Administration Fundraising Program Expenditure
$244,877 $177,965 $2,063,899
TOTAL EXPENSES
$2,486,741
9.8%
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,486,741
7.2%
City of Stamford
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Fundraising
$2,407,286 83%
Investment Income
Administration
Program Expenditure
<.5% 55.5%
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Mill River Park’s 2021 financials Fiscal year 2021 operating revenue
Corporate & Foundation Sponsorship 14.9%
12.5%
Paycheck Forgiveness Loan*
Fee-for-Programming/Service
Fundraising Events Investment Income Individual Donations City of Stamford
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TOTAL REVENUE $2,249,730
5.2%
7.5% <.5%
City of Stamford Operations Grant Operations Tax Incremental Funding Total City of Stamford Investment Income Individual Donations Fundraising Events Fee-for-Programming/Service Paycheck Forgiveness Loan Corporate and Foundation Sponsorship TOTAL REVENUE
9.4%
Fiscal year 2021 operating expenses $562,000 $570,449 $1,132,449 $648 $212,533 $169,805 $118,082 $280,600 $335,613
Administration Fundraising Program Expenditure
$235,219 $177,898 $1,869,427
TOTAL EXPENSES
$2,282,544
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,282,544
10.3%
Administration
7.8%
Fundraising
$2,249,730 81.9%
Program Expenditure
50.3%
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A special thank you to Steven Osman
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Steven Osman, a founding member of the Mill River Park Collaborative, retired from the Board of Directors in September. As Chairman of the city’s Urban Redevelopment Commission, Steve was a key figure in establishing the legal structure that set up the Mill River Corridor Plan, the guiding vision for what has become Mill River Park. He was one of the first members of a task force that became the precursor for the Collaborative and became a member of its Board of Directors when the Collaborative was officially established in 2003. He was honored by the Collaborative at its annual gala in 2014. Steve and his wife Harley are generous supporters of Mill River Park, especially of the annual children’s Halloween parade, and the south patio of the Whittingham Discovery Center is being named in their honor. Arthur Selkowitz, Collaborative Chairman, said: “Steve has been an indispensable counsel through all of the Park’s life, and one of its biggest boosters. I will miss him on the Board but know I can always count on him for his advice and support and Harley’s as well.”
“Land really is the best art.” — Andy Warhol
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Mill River Park Collaborative supporters Legacy Grove
Cherry Blossom Society
Special thanks to the donors who have given or pledged over one million dollars in the Collaborative’s history
Special thanks to the donors who have given or pledged $225,000 to $750,000 in the Collaborative’s history.
Don & Lisa Brownstein City of Stamford Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation General Electric (GE) National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Selkowitz Family Foundation
Marilyn Clements Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
The Overbrook Foundation Robin & Julie Graham Robert & Patricia Phillips
$99,999 to $50,000 First County Bank Dean & Laura Godown The Rich Family Foundation Selkowitz Family Foundation
$750,000 to $100,000
Purdue Pharma, Inc.
$49,999 to $25,000
Charter Communications City of Stamford
Dean & Laura Godown
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
Across the Globe Children’s Foundation Fund
Marilyn Clements
Diageo North America, Inc.
Karp Family Foundation
The Rich Family Foundation
The Stamford Partnership, Inc.
Vince & Linda McMahon Family Foundation, Inc.
Charles & Deborah Royce
John & Paula Todd
The Edith & Herbert Lehman Foundation
First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation, Inc.
State of Connecticut John & Paula Todd
David & Miriam Nissen
Structured Portfolio Management
Andrew Whittingham & family
Stephen & Harley Osman
Thomson Reuters
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We want to acknowledge and thank all of our generous Park supporters who gave from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021.
Brownstein Family Foundation
Nestlé Waters North America, Inc.
Michael Whittingham & family
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Charitable contributions
UBS
The Whittingham Family Foundation
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
George & Patricia Sarner
Grant Street Foundation
Stamford URBY Stamford Building 1 LLC
Half Full Brewery
Velaj Foundation
Peter & Isabel Malkin
$24,999 to $10,000
NBC Sports Group Pitney Bowes, Inc.
Richard & Cynthia Blumenthal
Carl Shanahan
Boehm Family Foundation
Stamford Hospital Foundation
Don & Lisa Brownstein
Stamford Rotary Club
Carmody, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessey
Trafigura Trading, LLC
Castleton Commodities International
David & Patricia Watkins
Thomas Tryforos
ConnectiCare, Inc.
Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP
Harry Day
Fabrizio & Barbara Zichichi
The Day Family Foundation
Douglas & Sharon Karp
General Reinsurance Corporation
Robert Phillips
Frank & Lori Mercede
Accurate Lock and Hardware
Henkel Corporation Harley & Stephen Osman
Horizon Foundation, Inc.
Robin & Julie Graham
Connecting people and nature 59
$9,999 to $5,000
$4,999 to $1,000
Gigi Aron
Stephne & Kerrin Behrend
Claire L. Helsing Foundation
Bills Refrigeration
Mimi Cohen
Bloomberg
Jamie Delaney
Kara & Bill Bohnsack
Lizanne Galbreath
George Boyce
Grade A ShopRite
Building and Land Technology
Stephen & Dale Hoffman
Brooke Call
Lapine Company Thomas & Elizabeth Mantione
Stewart Casper & Victoria DeToledo
Vince & Linda McMahon
CBRE, Inc.
Jack & Jill of America
NBC Universal
Centerbrook Architects and Planners
Elliot & Roslyn Jaffe
Irwin &Arlene Ettinger Jay & Esta Feinsod
Nestlé Waters North America Inc.
Edward & Donna Fuhrman
Newman’s Own Foundation
Sandy & Robert Goldstein
Shelly Nichani
Bob & Mary Granata
Alan & Lynn Pearce
Leonard & Judith Haber
Pooja Hospitality LLC; DBA Super 8 Stamford
Celeste Hart Bill & Jevera Hennessey David Hoffman Glen & Lynn Lurato
Prior Family Foundation Risa & Steven Raich Claire Redniss Ray Redniss Tom Rich
Stephen & Lynn Cohen Jeffrey & Marty Cokin
Peter & Betsy Kempner
Inny Roven
Dianne & Robert Colgan
David & Jessica Kooris
Robert & Deborah Salomon
Craver Family Fund
Noah & Holly Lapine
Adam & Laurie Selkowitz
Susan Cullman
James & Ellen Levenson
Andrew & Andrea Shantz
Cummings & Lockwood, LLC
Christopher Linen
Marsha Shendell
Barbara Dalio
Norman & Nina Lotstein
Ian Shrank
Stamford Downtown Special Services District
Leonard D’Andrea
Lovesac
Mark & Heidi Silverstein
Ira & Gari Dansky
Diane Matt
Thomson Reuters
Harriet & Frederic Dulaney
Fatima & Amin Mawji
Stamford Automotive Partners, LLC dba Toyota of Stamford
UBS
Eastern Land Management
Joel & Ellen Mellis
Empire State Realty Trust
Montagno Construction
Adam Epstein
NAGI Jewelers
Purdue Pharma L.P. Charles & Deborah Royce Jed & Alana Selkowitz JJ Sendelbach James Shapiro The Simmons Family Foundation
60 millriverpark.org
Alexanda & Daniel Krauss
Synchrony Financial
Eric Lotstein
Bill & Lisa Tyson
William & Jill Lovers
Richard & Pam Vogel
Eleanor & Morton Lowenthal
The Whitmyer Family
Paul & Darlene McDowell
Terran & Michael Whittingham
Mark McGrath
Dudley Williams Jr. & Juanita James
Bart & Kate Osman
Paul Young
Barbara & Gordon Russell
The Rapoport Family
The James L. & Susan G. Winter Foundation
People’s United Bank
Elise Swanton
Christian Roth
Janice Steif & Terry Adams Judith Steinberg Louise Stern Kristen Stops
Henry & Linda Rubinstein Ryan Salvatore
$499 to $250 Stephen & Jane Alpert Jim Arata Avram & Rhoda Freedberg Fund Diane Bertrand Ellen Bromley & Tom Gizicki Michael & Maureen Cacace Ina Cameron-Winn Linda Chapman
Randie & Lawrence Katz Alice Knapp & Walt Young David & Lorraine Kweskin Martin & Andrea Levine Judith Liebeskind Stephen & Meena Lynch Mactivity Fitness LLC Stamford Harbor Point Jose Maldonado David Martin
Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz
The Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear Family Foundation, Inc. c/o Chase Enterprises
Susan Benthall
Douglas Sharp
David Cohen
James Millar
Kathy Bloomfield
Noreen Shortway
David DeBenedictis
Lisa Musilli
Joe Cingari
Camille & Charles Spaulding
Tom Deloach
Jean Pack
David Cingari
Philip & Patricia Swan
Cody Dolly
Pathways, Inc.
David & Linda Cunn
Steven & Eileen Swerdlick
Susan Fisher
Marianne Pollak
Nicola & Denise Doria
Tauck Family Foundation
Frances & Gerry Ginsburg
Jerry & Michelle Pusser
Vagn & May Fausing
Scott & Tanya Therrien
Ronald & Anna Gold
Mary Lou Rinaldi
Avram & Rhoda Freedberg
Elliot & Emily Turner
Stephen Gramps
Mark Riser
Neal & Diane Warner
Catherine & Ivan Harper
Remi Rosenberg
Elizabeth & Wilson Williams
$999 to $500 Ronald & June Ahrens
David Genovese & Camilla Herrera
Brian & Monica Sciacca
Kay Maxwell Martin & Kathryn McGrath
Richard Harper
Bridget Ryan Berman
Joel & Bonnie Glasky
David & Eileen Heckerling
Peter & Andrea Scheyhing
Emily & Sam Gordon
Bruce Heller
Hill Family Fund
Robert & Barbara Karp
Jill Sendor-Laychak & Douglas Laychak
Kaye and Hennessey, LLC
Mitchell & Anne Katcher
Theodore Sergi
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Service Master of Westport
Guy Bailey & Kathy King
Peter & Gail Carriero
Edward & Ronnie Fein
Lindsay Jamison
Jennifer Matheny
Marianne Pollak
Stephen Sherman
Jami Sherwood
John Barnes
James & Violet Coats
Gregg Ferguson
Jeffrey & Sheila Katz
Carol Mawhinney
Michael Pollard
Howard & Carol Shiffman
Jerry & Bracha Silber
Eucaris and Norberto Barroso
Raiford Cockfield
Lee Anne Fernandez
John & Cecelia Keller
Mavra Mccann
James & Florine Popper
The Shippan Point Garden Club
Robin & Silvia Stein
Alexandra Belluzzi
Lester & Madeline Cohn
Matt Fleury
Karen Kelly
Terrence & Lucille McDonough
Dan Powers
Frederick & Carolyn Shulman
Turhan Tirana & Denise Marcil
Ellsworth & Joanne Benson
Salvatore & Linda Colucci
Madhu Ganapathy
Edith Khayatt
Jennifer McMonagle
Dan Puffer
Marjorie Shyavitz
Johnna Torsone & John McKeon
Steve Berni & Elaine Rubinson
Gary & Sue Conte
Michelle & Henry Gasiorowski
Bruce & Linda Koe
Elizabeth Mercede
Susan Putney
Henry & Meryl Silverstein
Mike & Kathryn Totilo
Carrie Bernier & Norwalk Community College
Thomas Conway & Madeline Weisberg
Leslie Gavin
Dan Kohn
Robert & Jean Meyer
Kerri Rak
Jim & Lynn Simpson
Gary Gepner & Susan Baldin
Roy & Gillian Korins
Kathryn Meyers
Richard & Claudia Recker
Andrew Sklover
T.T. & Anita Bhat
Laura Copeland
Robert & Nancy Gerry
KPMG, LLP
Eric Milkie
Skye Reiner
Cody Smith
Daniel Bilenko
Robert & Randy Costagliola
Joseph Giancola
Alex Krauss
Barbara Miller
Michael Rinaldi
James Sobieski
Catherine Bischoff
Suzanne Coyne
Mary Krayeske
Len & Catherine Miller
Janet Roemer
Sandy & Steve Soule
Mark & Charlotte Bishop
Harry & Jane Cuthbertson
The Girlfriends Inc Fairfield County Chapter
Ruth Kwartin
Philip Miller
Sheila Romanowitz
Speed Printing & Graphics, Inc.
John & Mary Kay Bittner
Gail Gleason
Nick & Rebecca Lai
Stanford Miller
Rosemary & Don Rullman
Eric & Laura Spichiger
Anna Bjorkman
The Daniel & Betty Roberts Family Foundation
Irving & Marilyn Goldblum
Joe DiVestea
David Langston
Stanley & Bette Mocarski
James & Michelle Sabia
Larry & Barbara Stein
Wendy Block
Edward & Susan Greenberg
Beverly Stein
Camille Guthrie
John Layseca
Tristan Mogollon & Friends of Zumba with Tristan Anthony
Michael & Sharon Sabia
Richard & Susan Blomberg
Bart Donahoe & Cathellen Donnelly
Gary & Sharon Larsen
Paul & Lizabeth Sachs
Elisabeth Steinberg
Edward & Barbara Guttman
Michael & Micki Lemieux
Joan Montello
Gunnar Sahlin
Judy & Carl Stewart
Barry Hersh
Lorraine Leonard
Patrice Moore
Ryan & Mary Salvatore
Matthew Stockel
Fiona Hodgson
Carol Levine
Bob & Polly Morrow
Everett & Sally Schenk
Marc & Caroline Teichman
Burton & Carol Hoffman
Wendy Lewis
Yogesh & Sushil Nehra
George Schott
Gillian Thompson
Gail & Richard Hofmann
Nancy Lewittes
Courtney & Judy Nelthropp
Nolan & Barbara Schwartz
Jessica & Briggs Tobin
Dianne & Malcolm Houtz
Carol Luders
Merritt & Roslyn Nesin
Zoe & Daniel Schwartz
Harold Todman
Bruce & Connie Hubbard
Hernando & Carolyn Madero
Patrick O’Keefe
Ann Seidel
Michael & Camille Tomasello
Bruce & Elizabeth Huffine
William Malloy
Craig & Suzanne Olin
Pamela Shadford
Rhaiza Torres
Annie Hughes
Gary Mansfield
Michael O’Rourke
Eugene & Frieda Shapiro
Thien Tran
Grace Markovits
Kurt & Susan Ostheimer
Elaine Sharlach
Stephen & Gail Trell
Christel Truglia Mirellise Vazquez Carl & Dana Weinberg David & Paula Weinstein Waleska Williams Jon Winkel Steven & Lisa Wise Carl Zuckerberg
$249 to $100 Tim & Mary Abbazia Stuart & Marilyn Adelberg Elvira Albert Merlin Alper Lorraine & Curt Anastasio Jacquelyn Anderson Mark & Jeri Appel Jonathan Bacco
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Nick Bochicchio Merle Bogin Gregory Bomash Kathleen Bordelon Lauren Boswell Sarah Boyle Mark & Carolyn Browning Sharon Broza-Stone Margitta Brunner Amy Carriello
Martin & Helen Donner Christelle Dorcil Felipe & Kathy Dossou Milton & Marion Drexler Marilyn Ducksworth-Davis Joseph & Bette Epstein Rosarii Falvey Donna & Jeffrey Farber Phil & Carolyn Farin Mary Fedeli
Nia & Tunde Jackson
Connecting people and nature 63
Melanie & David Turner Peter & Janet Vanderwaart Robert Vendig Nancy von Euler Mary Vos Robert & Pam Waldman Josh Warner Lloyd Weinstein Alicia & Bruce Wettenstein Andrew Whittingham Robert Wieser Gloria Wilson Erin Wilson Steve Wolfe Mary Woods John & Priscilla Woyke Elaine Wright Ari Yasgur Kimberly Zaccagnino Steve & Dorothy Zeide Mattias & Irinia Zhabinskiy Joan Zooper
64 millriverpark.org
Up to $99
Michael Cairl
Sarah Davidson
Sonia Gidwani
Vonick Jean-Guillaume
Prasad & Anika Kulkarni
Harvey & Arline Melzer
Jackie Pioli
Michael Caminiti
Alice Decossard
Rob & Jennifer Godzeno
Nicolas Jean-Guillaume
Jodi Kupersmith
Hunter Memale
Luke & Mary Jo Pittoni
Douglas Campbell
Ryan DeLuca
Natasha Gold
George & Karen Johns
Dorothy & Robert Landress
Ingrid Menendez
Juan Porro
Patrick Carino
Valerie DeVito
Wanda Gomez
Joseph Golia Services, Inc.
Peter & Flavia Lasalandra
Neil & Deborah Metviner
Vienna Prado
Peter Carriero
Arnold Diaz
Jessica Granda-Guevara
Paul & Susan Josephson
Cynthia Lashley
Margaret & Alan Metwally
Aksana Prakapenka
Dawnya Carson
Robert & Frances Dorf
Charles Guinta
Just Giving
Steven Lavietes
Benjamin Mickelson
Robert Prier
Christopher Carson
Pierre Douyon
Carlos Gutierrez
Karen Juul
Elizabeth Lebo
Joseph Miller
Matthew Quinones
Steven Carter
Yuliia Drebit
John Gwardyak
Andree Kaminsky
Leslie Lee
Oksana Mindin
Lalatiana Randretsanilo
Mary Cattan
Evan & Mary Ann Dunnell
Joanna Gwozdziowski
Isabel Katz
Sheldon & Gloria Levine
Joseph Moccia
Rim Raslan
Jack & Lynne Chnowski
Regino & Aurea Elgarico
Sviatlana Habis
Mark & Geraldine Katz
M. Catherine Lynch
Michael Moi
Pauline Rauh
Laurie Cingari
Michael Farewell
Lynn & Thomas Hamm
Joy & Larry Katz
Beverly Magida
Adriana Molina
Nicolas & Maria Reusche
Robert & Marsha Cohen
Michael Feighan
Stephen Hannis
Mark Kaufman
Joanna Maier
Blasina Molina
John Rhodes
Raquel Coliaza
Vito Ferrucci
Annelise Hansen
Sylvia Kaye
Ellen Malasky
Rashida Morisset
Kimberly & Robert Rogers
Dennis & M’Liss Conetta
Lewis & Laurie Finkel
Ingrid Haughton
Kevin Kelly
Johnnie & Shaun Malloy
Garry Morton
Patricia Romano
Joanne Conetta
Richard & Rosalea Fisher
Laurence Henry
PJ Kennedy
Howard & Barbara Malloy
Millary Morton
Allen & Sherri Rosenthal
Barbara Conetta
Amy Fishkow
Martin & Kathleen Heslin
Alena Kerins
Sheeree Mallozzi
Melissa Mulrooney
Anne Rosivach
Corti Cooper & Carlos Esteves
Penelope Fishman
Dana Hill
Ken & Harriette Ketover
Avery & Pamela Manchester
Rashmi Mysore Shivanna
Jordan Royster
Dennis Fleischmann
Michael Hoherchak
Sam Kies
Roselyn Mangot
Richard Olson
Emily Rudolph
Yessica Cortez
Jonathan Foster
Peter Hohmeister
Melanie Kieval
Jill Margolis
Juan Ospina
Eleanor & Patrick Ryan
Justin Cosell
James & Christie Fountain
Lena Howansky
Morton & Barbara Klein
Alon Marom
Michele Pacheco
Allan & Sally Sacks
MA Guadalupe Briones
Charles & Margaret Costello
Nancy Furnas
Jen Humphries
Mariana Kniffin
Ashley Martinez
Amy Pagnani
Heather & John Salerno
Robert Brown
Colleen Costello
David Jerome Gay
Nichole Hylton
Elizabeth Knudsen
Ari & Heidi Maunula
Carol & Stelios Paraskevas
Daisy Salort
Rohan Brown
Martine Curto
Lewis Gediman
Holly Hyman
John Kopko
Jodi Maxner
Bruce & Martha Patterson
Monika Samelko
Barrett Burns
Natalie Dademo
Audrey Iscaro
Anne-J Paul
Trent McCann
Alex Perimenis
Mary Lee Santoro & Dennis Palumbo
John Darosa
Stephen Jablonsky
Thomas Krempecki & Margaret Dahlem
Madison McCann
Lisa Buzin
Antoine & Christine Geffrard
Kate Jackson
Nicole Krize
Lisa McComb-Williams
Michelle Phillips
Jessica Saturne
Giuseppina Abbazia Julie Abbett Melissa Acevedo Shivani Agrawal Lee Allen Amazon Smile Melissa Arnold Linda and Joe Avellar Thomas Bartram John Bautista Myrna Baye Mary Bellavia James & Amy Benjamin Wendy Bennett Jennifer Bernardelli Eve & Daniel Block Walter & Marilyn Block Roberta Bosanko Cindy & Junau Boucard
Ghislaine Germain
Connecting people and nature 65
Gifts in kind
Mica Saturne
Joanny Vega
Frank & Lolita Savage
Audrey Velaj
Ann & David Scheps
Susana Vidan
New England Investment Partners
Lawrence & Ruth Schmidt
Dana Anne Visi
Shipman & Goodwin
Edward & Lois Scofield
Amy Vitale
Elise & Jerry Sehulster
Sara Jane von Trapp
Kimberly Senecal
Dianne Walker
Sarah Sherwood Carol Shwidock
Waterford Group Charitable Foundation
Steven & Ronnie Sichel
Lida Watson
Diane & Ted Sierpina
Nancy Webber
Keith & Claudia Silver
Barbara & Robert Wechsler
Jane Silverman
Aulene Wessel
Richard & Patti Slavin
David Wiesenfeld
Stephen Smegal
Dudley Williams III
Edward & Edith Smith
Phyllis Wilson
John & Judith Stoddard
Dorothy Wilson
Eric & Lisa Strom
Annbeth Winters
William Tague
Syma Wolf
Jenna Temple
Margot & Bill Zales
Shyvette Thompson
Karen & John Zambelli-Gwardyak
James & Gail Todd Sheila Toner Nikki Tsairis Ellen Tuckett
Garden volunteers Khaleel Alexander Laura Godown Eve Lapine Sondra Limeburner Vickie Ruehl
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.” — Charles Dickens
Lisa Tyson
Joanne Zammit Kenneth & Coralee Zarrilli Nate Zubal
Andrea & Marcella Valerio 66 millriverpark.org
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67
Mill River Park Collaborative members Architect ($1,000)
Patron ($100)
Susan Cullman
Merlin & Elaine Alper
Elliot & Roslyn Jaffe
Stephen & Jane Alpert
Robert & Patricia Phillips
Lorraine & Curt Anastasio
Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz
Mark & Jeri Appel
Paul Young
John Barnes Ellsworth & Joanne Benson
Designer ($500) David Hoffman Janice Stief & Terry Adams Elise Swanton
Steve Berni & Elaine Rubinson Mark & Charlotte Bishop Richard & Susan Blomberg Merle Bogin Ellen Bromley & Tom Gizicki
Steward ($250) Susan Benthall Edward & Donna Fuhrman Henry & Linda Rubinstein Jami Sherwood Scott & Tanya Therrien Mike & Kathryn Totilo 68 millriverpark.org
Mark & Carolyn Browning Michael & Maureen Cacace Peter & Gail Carriero Joe Cingari James & Violet Coats Jeffrey & Marty Cokin Dianne & Robert Colgan
Eugene & Frieda Shapiro
Dennis & M’Liss Conetta
Paul & Lizabeth Sachs
Sheldon & Gloria Levine
Marsha Shendell
Gary & Sue Conte
Monika Samelko
Howard & Barbara Malloy
Howard & Carol Shiffman
Justin Cosell
Jerry & Bracha Silber
Robert & Jean Meyer
Michael & Camille Tomasello
Arnold Diaz
Henry & Meryl Silverstein
Amy Pagnani
Johnna Torsone & John McKeon
Gregg Ferguson
Bruce & Martha Patterson
Christel Truglia
Vito Ferrucci
Mirellise Vazquez & Thomas Birmingham
Dennis Fleischmann
Audrey Velaj
Marianne Pollak Jerry & Michelle Pusser Anne Rosivach
Luke & Mary Jo Pittoni
Salvatore & Linda Colucci
James & Ellen Levenson
Robert Vendig
Robert & Randy Costagliola
Martin & Andrea Levine
Mary Vos
Rob & Jennifer Godzeno
David & Paula Weinstein
Martin & Helen Donner
Wendy Lewis
Robert & Pam Waldman
Wanda Gomez
Aulene Wessel
Christelle Dorcil
Judith Liebeskind
Neal & Diane Warner
Jessica Granda-Guevara
Felipe & Kathy Dossou
Norman & Nina Lotstein
Carl & Dana Weinberg
Edward & Barbara Guttman
Supporter ($50)
Marilyn Ducksworth-Davis
Carol Luders
Andrew Whittingham
Michael Hoherchak
Jim Arata
Elaine Sharlach
Joseph & Bette Epstein
Hernando & Carolyn Madero
Kimberly Zaccagnino
Nichole Hylton
James & Amy Benjamin
Marjorie Shyavitz
Rosarii Falvey
William Malloy
Steve & Dorothy Zeide
Vonick Jean-Guillaume
Eve & Daniel Block
Louise Stern
George & Karen Johns
Sarah Boyle
Marc & Caroline Teichman
Paul & Susan Josephson
Margitta Brunner
Peter & Janet Vanderwaart
Randie Katz & Lawrence Cryer
Ina Cameron-Winn
Karen Zambelli-Gwardyak
Sam Kies
Patrick Carino
Mariana Kniffin Prasad & Anika Kulkarni
Bart Donahoe & Cathleen Donnelly
Friend ($25)
Gary & Sharon Larsen
Joseph & Janice Giancola
Linda & Joe Avellar
Sheeree Mallozzi
Richard Harper
Myrna Baye
Elizabeth Mercede
Holly Hyman
Mary Bellavia
Oksana Mindin
John Keller & Cecelia Barnett
Walter & Marilyn Block
Nicholas & Maria Reusche
Ken & Harriette Ketover
Douglas Campbell
Allen & Sherri Rosenthal
Carol Levine
Peter Carriero
Michelle & Henry Gasiorowski
Kay Maxwell
Frances & Gerry Ginsburg
Kathryn Meyers
Family ($75)
Emily & Sam Gordon
Barbara Miller
Julie Abbett
Barry Hersh
Michael O’Rourke
Ronald & June Ahrens
Burton & Carol Hoffman
Kurt & Susan Ostheimer
Scott Arvoy
Bob & Barbara Karp
Susan Putney
Manolo Avila
Jeffrey & Sheila Katz
Richard Recker & Claudia Poccia
Eucaris & Norberto Barroso
Karen Kelly
Mary Lou Rinaldi
Cindy & Junau Boucard
Alice Knapp & Walt Young
Janet Roemer
Hsiao Chen
Alex Krauss
Sheila Romanowitz
Lester & Madeline Cohn
David & Lorraine Kweskin
George Schott
Raquel Coliaza
Michael & Micki Lemieux
Zoe & Daniel Schwartz
Michael & Sharon Sabia Ann Scheps & David Hoskins
Connecting people and nature 69
Jack & Lynne Chnowski
Dorothy & Robert Landress
Andrea & Marcella Valerio
Laurie Cingari
Leslie Lee
Phyllis Wilson
Robert & Marsha Cohen
Nancy Lewittes
Annbeth Winters
Barbara Conetta
Ellen Malasky
Syma Wolf
Charles & Margaret Costello
Roselyn Mangot
Kenneth & Coralee Zarrilli
Martine Curto
Carol Mawhinney
Harry & Jane Cuthbertson
Terrence & Lucille McDonough
Sarah Davidson
Harvey & Arline Melzer
Marion & Milton Drexler
Margaret & Alan Metwally
Across the Globe Children’s Foundation Fund
Harriet & Frederic Dulaney
Joseph Moccia
Boehm Family Foundation
Phil Farin & Carolyn Nadel-Farin
Richard Olson
Brownstein Family Foundation
Michael Feighan
Juan Porro
Claire L. Helsing Foundation
Nancy Furnas
Pauline Rauh
Day Family Foundation
David Jerome Gay
John Rhodes
Edith & Herbert Lehman Foundation
Lewis Gediman
Lawrence & Ruth Schmidt
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Antoine & Christine Geffrard
Edward & Lois Scofield
First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
Charles Guinta
Elise & Jerry Sehulster
Grant Street Foundation
Lynn & Thomas Hamm
Steven & Ronnie Sichel
Horizon Foundation, Inc.
Stephen Hannis
Keith & Claudia Silver
Rich Family Foundation
Martin & Kathleen Heslin
Jane Silverman
Selkowitz Family Foundation
Peter Hohmeister
Carl & Judy Stewart
Simmons Family Foundation
Audrey Iscaro
John & Judith Stoddard
Stamford Hospital Foundation
Isabel Katz & Daniel Thompson
Jenna Temple
Velaj Foundation
Joy Katz
Gillian Thompson
Sylvia Kaye
James & Gail Todd
Alena Kerins
Nikki Tsairis
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If any names are omitted or misspelled, we apologize and ask that you contact us with corrections.
A special thank you to our foundation donors from July 2019–June 2021
“Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.” — National Park Service
Whittingham Family Foundation
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A special thank you to our corporate donors from July 2019–June 2021
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Thank you to our board members (as of November 1, 2021)
Mill River Park Collaborative staff
Arthur Selkowitz, Chairman and acting CEO
(as of November 1, 2021)
Arnold M. Karp, Vice Chair Fatima Mawji, MD, Vice Chair Robert Granata, Treasurer Don Brownstein, Secretary
Dianne Houtz Director of Administration
Ralph Blessing George Boyce Sandy Goldstein Emily M. Gordon Robin Graham Conor Horigan David Kooris Noah Lapine
Thomas Madden Mark McGrath Frank Mercede Shelly Nichani Michael Pollard Matt Quinones Ryan Salvatore J.J. Sendelbach Jim Shapiro Camille S. Spaulding Jon Winkel Jennifer Young Nate Zubal
Kristia Janowski Director of Environmental Education & Sustainability Kevin Kelly Director of Business Operations Mike Stake Director of Capital Planning & Building Alicia Wettenstein Director of Development
Mackenzie Coughlin Event Marketing & Membership Coordinator Brandon Forlenzo Landcare Technician Vincent Piselli Manager, Landcare Mark Pruzsko Park Ambassador Marlie Reid Manager, Private Events & Carousel Operations Kristy Schutzman Horticulture Specialist Alex Smith Landcare Technician
Connecting people and nature
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Tiffany Wilson Manager, Youth & Family Programs 74
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75
COLLABORATIVE
Mill River Park Collaborative 1010 Washington Boulevard Stamford, CT 06901 millriverpark.org 203.989.0321