The Brooke Astor Award for Outstanding Contributions to Urban Gardens was established by Jefferson Market Garden to honor leaders and visionaries who make our city more livable and beautiful by encouraging and creating welcoming environmentally friendly places for us all to enjoy.
In 2010 the Garden bestowed the Brooke Astor Award to world-renowned landscape designer Lynden Miller who along with many local leaders and neighbors attended the Garden’s 40th Anniversary celebration on September 9th to congratulate this year’s Brooke Astor Award recipients, Barry Benepe and Adrian Benepe.
Almost four decades ago Barry Benepe, an urban environment visionary, brought new life to NYC by founding the Green Farmers Market movement. Today there are 50 Farmers Markets throughout the five boroughs, a testament to Barry’s contribution to the quality of urban life connecting farm to city, bringing the fresh bounty of farms to our tables. A resident of Greenwich Village, Barry remains an advocate and inspiration for preservation and the environment.
Adrian Benepe is the next generation of Benepe’s leading in the greening, preservation and beautification of urban spaces. Adrian served as New York City Commissioner of Parks for over a decade during which he improved and added 730 acres of new parkland, creating green spaces across the city. In his current role with The Trust for Public Land Adrian continues to study, preserve and improve not only our city parks, but has expanded his reach to parks throughout the U.S.
By honoring these leaders, Jefferson Market Garden celebrates its 40 years in Greenwich Village along with the ongoing work of those greening our city and our country, and thanks those who visit, volunteer and support the Garden to keep it blooming.
—Mary Vanderwoude
