Hudson River Park
Saluting Madelyn Wills, the strength behind
the development of Hudson River Park
BY HANNAH MALLARD
Madelyn Wils, president
and CEO of the Hudson
River Park Trust,
retired from her position on Feb.
5. Wils began her tenure at the
Trust in June of 2011, and over
the next decade, guided the
creation of one of the newest and
most beautiful public spaces in
Manhattan.
Wils has overseen the development
and funding of projects such
as Pier 55, Pier 57, Gansevoort
Peninsula, Pier 97 and Pier 26
— giving the people of New York
City brand new places to recreate
and enjoy the outdoors in the
heart of Manhattan. And there’s
more growth to come — the trust
currently has close to $1 billion
in private and public partnerships
that will fund the ongoing
construction and completion of
the park.
Under Wils’ leadership, the
park has been able to continue
construction throughout the
pandemic. She also helped the
trust weather other storms in its
history, such as Tropical Storm
Irene in 2011, Superstorm Sandy
the following year, and the 2017
Halloween terrorist attack.
The Trust’s acting vice-president,
Noreen Doyle, became
president and CEO after Wils’
departure.
Wils sent her letter of resignation
to NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC)
commissioner, Basil Seggos, and
Deputy Mayor of Housing and
Economic Development, Vicki
Been, among other leaders including
Governor Andrew Cuomo and
Mayor Bill De Blasio on Jan., 19.
“Together with your leadership,
we have been able to accomplish
so much over the last decade, and
we are well on our way towards
accomplishing our shared goals of
completing the Park’s construction
while ensuring it is also on
solid financial footing,” Wils
wrote. “Prior to the pandemic,
we were able to more than double
Madelyn Wils is the head of the staff at the Hudson River Park Trust, the state-city authority
that is building and operates the 4-mile-long waterfront park.
our revenues while improving
the range and levels of services
of all types for the public,” she
continued.
New York’s City and State leaders
and citizens alike are grateful
for Wils’ dedication to Hudson
River Park over the past decade.
Along with major park developmental
projects, Wils spearheaded
the Trust’s environmental
programs to reduce single-use
plastics and to expand its composting
efforts. Stewardship of
the Hudson River Sanctuary also
became a priority of the Trust
under Wils’s leadership.
“On behalf of New York State,
I thank Madelyn for her steadfast
leadership and dedication to the
Park over the last 10 years,” Seggos,
chair of the Hudson River
PHOTO COURTESY H.R.P.T.
Park Trust, wrote. “Every day,
millions of visitors to Hudson
River Park benefi t from the work
that she and the rest of the HRPT
team have done to provide New
Yorkers with vital open space and
recreational opportunities. With
Governor Cuomo’s support, we
will soon realize our shared goal
to complete Hudson River Park
for even more New Yorkers and
visitors to enjoy.”
Been, who serves as vicechair
of the Hudson River Park
Trust, responded with similar
sentiments. “For nearly a decade,
Madelyn has put her heart and
soul into building and caring for
Hudson River Park on behalf of
the millions who enjoy it. Her
leadership on projects like Little
Island, Pier 26, Pier 57, Gansevoort
Peninsula and Pier 97 has
helped turn the Park into one of
New York City’s iconic open spaces,”
she said. “We cannot thank
her enough for her commitment,
tenacity, vision and effectiveness.
The City looks forward to building
on her work and working
together with the surrounding
communities to ensure the fully
completed park is a treasure for
all New Yorkers.”
City Council Speaker Corey
Johnson also praised Wils’
accomplishments upon her announced
retirement: “It’s been
a true pleasure working with
Madelyn Wils over the years and
we’ve accomplished so much
together; from helping expand
organic waste collection program
for the community, to renovating
the children’s playground
area at Chelsea Waterside Park.
Generations of New Yorkers will
be able to enjoy Hudson River
Park thanks to Madelyn’s vision
and commitment to this amazing
park.”
Prior to serving as president
and CEO of the Trust, Wils was
the Executive Vice President of
the Planning, Development and
Maritime Division of NYC’s Economic
Development Corporation
(EDC). During her time at the
EDC, Wils compiled a portfolio
of over 100 projects including the
redevelopment of Coney Island,
Willets Point, East River Esplanade
and Hunters Point South.
From 2001 to 2005, as the
Chair of Community Board 1,
Wils played an integral role in the
rebuilding of Lower Manhattan
after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks.
10 March 4, 2021 Schneps Media