Celebrating 30 years of transformation: Bette Midler and the New York Restoration Project

by David Evans Shaw

Last week, New York City came alive with creativity, color, and purpose at the annual Hulaween Gala—a signature celebration of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), founded by my remarkable friend Bette Midler.  It was a night that sparkled with the display of NYRP values  including imagination, creativity, community spirit, generosity, compassion, collaboration, impact, and love of the natural world.     

This year’s event carried special significance.  We gathered to celebrate thirty years of extraordinary work by NYRP, transforming underserved New York City public spaces into cherished community hubs.

NYRP has revitalized parks, gardens, and neighborhoods including restoration of over 300 acres of parkland. It has planted more than 200,000 trees, engaged nearly 150,000 volunteers, removed greater than 6 million pounds of trash, and more.   Since its founding in 1995, NYRP has done far more than plant trees and clean up lots.  It has restored hope, community spirit, and connection to nature in neighborhoods hungry for beauty, belonging, and inspiration.   A 30-year anniversary video tells the story.

It’s a great credit to the insight and hard work of Bette and the NYRP team that this opportunity was recognized, took root and flourished so successfully over three decades.    It’s a movement rooted in the belief that every New Yorker deserves beauty, access to nature, and a safe, vibrant place to gather and grow.

I’ve had the happy and fulfilling experience of being part of the NYRP journey over many years, and was honored at Hulaween 2017 in a gala that raised more than $2 million for this worthy cause.  

Congratulations to Bette, to the NYRP family, and to all the dreamers and doers who have made this 30-year journey possible. You’ve proven that when we care for our shared spaces, we care for one another—and that’s how real change takes root.   

Here’s to thirty years of transformation—and to the next thirty years of making waves for hope, beauty, and renewal still to come.

A donation to this great cause supports equal access to nature for all New Yorkers.