Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Palisades Parks Conservancy

Welcome to the Palisades Parks Conservancy’s annual benefit to raise essential funds in support of preservation and programming efforts in the Palisades.

This year, we gather beneath the cliffs at Ross Dock in Fort Lee, NJ for a riverside soiree in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Palisades Parks Conservancy and the critical preservation of public land and history that it has fostered since its founding.

Please consider continuing your support of this work by making a donation.

Dear Friends,

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Palisades Parks Conservancy, a milestone that invites us to reflect on what a dedicated community of supporters, partners, and park lovers can accomplish together.

When the Conservancy was founded in 2001, the vision was simple but powerful: that a nonprofit partner could unlock essential private support for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and its network of parks, historic sites, and open spaces across New York and New Jersey. Twenty-five years later, that vision has grown into something remarkable.

We are honored to recognize Carol Ash, one of the Conservancy's founding visionaries. Carol's career has been defined by dedication to parks and open space in New York and especially the Hudson Valley — serving as Commissioner of New York State Parks, Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, board member of the Open Space Institute, and Board President of this very organization. She played central roles in protecting and acquiring Sterling Forest, Schunnemunk State Park, Fort Montgomery Battlefield, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. It was Carol who saw that the public-private partnerships transforming New York City parks could be mapped onto the Hudson Valley — and in the decades since, she has helped restore the Bear Mountain Carousel, reopen the Tower of Victory, and transform the Conservancy from an all-volunteer group into the professional organization it is today.

We are proud to honor Champlain Hudson Power Express, whose landmark renewable hydropower transmission project is powering up this summer. Crossing 17 New York counties and delivering clean energy to New York City, CHPE has been an exemplary model of modern infrastructure and a generous and respectful partner to parks, wildlands, and communities along the way.

Tonight we also celebrate the New Jersey Chapter of Achilles International, whose inspiring work brings athletes with disabilities into our parks, embodying the belief that these places belong to everyone.

As we celebrate our accomplishments, we look to the future with real excitement. This summer the new quarry pool swimming facility opens at Sojourner Truth State Park. Construction at Bear Mountain and Lake Sebago is progressing well, and next year we'll finally see the federally funded repairs to Dyckman Hill and Henry Hudson Drive completed at last. The Conservancy is gaining momentum, pursuing larger projects and partnerships that will deliver even greater benefits to park users of all kinds.

None of this is possible without you. Thank you for being here tonight, and for being part of the Conservancy's next 25 years.

Remy Schwartz, Executive Director
Elizabeth Greenstein, Board President

Program

  • 6:15 PM Registration opens

  • 6:30 - 7:15 PM Cocktail Hour / Mingling

  • 7:30 - 8:05 PM Speaking program

    • Palisades Parks Conservancy President Elizabeth Greenstein, Welcoming Remarks

    • Palisades Parks Conservancy Executive Director Remy Schwartz, Remarks & Honoring CHPE

    • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser & Palisades Interstate Park Commission Vice President Bryce O’Brien, Honoring Carol Ash

    • New Jersey State Senator Gordon Johnson & New Jersey Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Honoring Achilles NJ, Presenting NJ Proclamation

  • 8:00 - 8:45 PM Dinner Served 

  • 8:25 - 8:45 PM Paddle Raise, MC: Dan Fox

2026 Honorees

CHPE

Champlain Hudson Power Express, or CHPE, is a landmark clean energy infrastructure project delivering renewable hydropower from Quebec to New York City via a 339-mile underground and underwater transmission line crossing 17 New York counties. Developed by Transmission Developers Inc., CHPE represents one of the most significant investments in New York's clean energy future, projected to supply up to 20% of New York City's electricity from carbon-free sources. The project has been recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship, working respectfully alongside parks, wildlands, waterways, and communities throughout its construction. CHPE has been a generous partner to the Palisades Parks Conservancy, serving as title sponsor of the Palisades Half Marathon since its re-launch in 2024. As the transmission line powers up this summer, CHPE stands as a model for how major infrastructure projects can advance the clean energy transition while honoring the landscapes they directly affect.

Carol Ash

Carol Ash is one of the founding visionaries of the Palisades Parks Conservancy and a defining figure in New York land conservation. Over a distinguished career, she has served as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, New York Director of the Nature Conservancy, board member of the Open Space Institute, and Board President of the Palisades Parks Conservancy. She played instrumental roles in the protection and acquisition of Sterling Forest, Schunnemunk State Park, Fort Montgomery Battlefield, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Carol's extraordinary ability to mobilize people, institutions, and resources around shared conservation goals has left a lasting mark on the Hudson Valley and its ecosystem.

New Jersey Chapter of Achilles International

The New Jersey Chapter of Achilles International was founded by volunteer Joe Sorbinelli to address a pressing need in North Jersey: creating opportunities for people across the disability spectrum to connect and be active together in their own community. Achilles NJ has brought their community-building spirit to parks throughout New Jersey, fostering inclusive and accessible experiences in public spaces — including a new weekly run series this spring at Rockland Lake State Park spearheaded by Achilles athlete Katy Sanchez, with support from the Conservancy. Beyond local parks, Achilles NJ athletes and guides travel regularly to major marathons across the globe, raising funds to support athletes with disabilities. Through their dedication, Achilles New Jersey embodies the belief that our public lands belong to everyone — and their joyful, vibrant presence in our parks makes that belief a reality.

Gala Committee

Gigi & Averell Mortimer, Co-Chairs
Jeannette A. Redden, Co-Chair
Ross Barron, Jennifer Cunningham & Kim Elliman, Victor & Susan Del Rio, Max Mortimer

The Palisades Parks Conservancy is a non-profit supporting the Palisades Interstate Parks a network of 20 parks and 9 historic sites through partnerships with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) to protect the natural and historic resources of the 130,000-acre Palisades Interstate Park system.

Created as a “friends” group in 2001, today we are an independent 501(c)(3) that raises funds, undertakes capital projects, develops partnerships and programs to appeal to a wide range of visitors, and advocates to protect the park system. We are committed to preserving and protecting the rich history and biodiversity of America's first bi-state park system by connecting people, parks and history.

How We Do It:

  • We facilitate unique visitor experiences for people with disabilities by supporting weekly Achilles International meetups at Rockland Lake and hosting an annual Adaptive Outdoors Day during Disability Pride Month.

  • We remove transportation barriers to our parks by supporting Outdoor Promise's OP Adventure Bus, a regional transportation equity pilot connecting low-income, Spanish-speaking, and vehicle-less Newburgh residents to our parks.

  • We encourage community engagement, stewardship, and investment in our parks by partnering with Palisades MTB to clear and restore impassable trail at Sterling Forest State Park. This project will re-open a 4-mile stretch of multi-use trail for mountain bikes and hikers.

  • We provide all children at Camp Homeward Bound, a summer camp for unhoused NYC youth, with backpacks full of back-to-school supplies and necessities to start the school year. We also provide buses to the annual Harriman Group Camp Canoe Regatta at Lake Sebago for campers that cannot usually attend due to limited transportation.

  • The Palisades Half Marathon & Trail Run is the Conservancy’s competitive community running event along the NJ Palisades cliffs and the stunning banks of the Hudson River. The 2025 race culminated in a celebratory Finish Fest for 1,000+ runners, volunteers, and attendees. Our 2026 race will take place on Sunday, September 27th.

  • The First Day Hike is a free New Year’s Day hiking festival led by the Conservancy at Nyack Beach State Park. This year we brought together seven community partners and 350+ attendees to celebrate the first day of the year with music, food, crafts, and time outdoors.

Staff & Board

Remy Schwartz, Executive Director 
Emily Einhorn, Program & Development Manager
Michi Yoshikawa, Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Elizabeth Greenstein, President 
Carol Ash, Vice President
Victor Del Rio, Secretary 
Holly Leicht, Treasurer 
Ross Barron
Angela Cristini, Ph.D
Dani Dudek
Joshua E. Hyman, MD 
David Kupperman 
Erik S. Larsen, MD
Richard Ma 
Max Mortimer
Kevin Reymond

Event Vendors

Music
Peter Einhorn Trio

Food & Wine
In Thyme Catering

Photography
Patrick Leiphart