PTNY & Friends Gather to Honor a Legend
The room was packed, the drinks were flowing, the food was tasty, and treasured memories of Robin were shared with all.
If you joined us Tuesday, October 10th in NYC for our annual George W. Perkins Reception honoring Robin Dropkin, you know just how magical that room was. Friends—old and new, professional and volunteer, grassroots and statehouse, young and old—came together to celebrate PTNY’s former Executive Director and the outsized impact she’s had, and continues to have, for New York’s public lands.
Robin, who passed this February, was a leading light in the world of green space conservation and advocacy… even though (as former PTNY Board Chair Judy Mower pointed out) she always preferred to “lead from the back.” Robin’s approach of support—for grassroots activists and volunteers caring for public lands, for members of the PTNY Team and Board, for sibling organizations committed to caring for our public green spaces—was usually “show” instead of “tell.”
And wow, did she show. During Robin’s 3+ decades with PTNY, she was instrumental in formation of the Empire State Trail, led the charge that kept ALL of our State Parks open during the budgetary crisis of 2010, and ensured our parks would thrive for future generations with constant funding advocacy for our parks, trails, and public lands.
Honestly, if you knew her, you know there is so much more her tireless efforts contributed.
So it’s no surprise that some of New York’s premiere voices in green space conversation came together to honor her game-changing (green-changing?) work. Erik Kulleseid (NYS Parks Commissioner) and Carol Ash (Palisades Park Conservancy Board Chair) testified to Robin’s deep background work that led to the implementation of a close to $1bn investment in our parks system over 10 years. Judy Mower spoke to Robin’s humility: effecting change was enough for her. In fact, recognition made her uncomfortable. And bulwark of NY legislators’ support for public lands—Senator José Serrano—spoke to the importance of Robin’s work for communities across the state, especially youth who might not otherwise have access to the benefits of green space.
To honor Robin’s memory in perpetuity, PTNY has created the Robin Dropkin Legislative Leadership Award. Those receiving the award will be public servants who have gone above and beyond for New York’s expansive system of public lands and the communities who rely on them. The Parks & Trails New York Team knew the event honoring Robin was the perfect place to launch this annual award… and that the first ever needed to go to Senator Serrano.
To all who sent love, gathered with us, or offered support from further afield, THANK YOU. Robin and her work proved what we know to be true: we’re only as strong or effective as those we work for change with. Thank you for working with us.
If you were unable to attend or support, but you would like to, there is still time! Please click this link to make a donation in honor of Robin, her life, and her outsized impact on the public green spaces across our state