Hunters Point Parks Conservancy

What Hunters Point Parks Conservancy does

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), legally Friends of Gantry Plaza State Park, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Long Island City, Queens, New York. The organization operates as the official partner organization for both Hunter's Point South Park (managed in conjunction with NYC Parks) and Gantry Plaza State Park (under a Memorandum of Agreement with NYS Parks since 1998), with operations centered on the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center that opened in October 2023. HPPC delivers over 200 free community programs annually — including fitness classes, Summer Kids programming, environmental education field trips, public paddling, and arts programming — serving more than 21,620 attendees in 2024 across a Long Island City population situated in one of NYC's most park-poor community districts (ranked 57th of 59 in green space per capita).

HPPC's business model is a donation- and sponsorship-funded nonprofit with no commercial pricing. Revenue derives from three principal streams: individual donations (with a Green Guardians tier at $150+ one-time or $15+/month recurring), corporate sponsorships (program-level sponsorships for Summer Kids, fitness, environmental education, and the annual LIC Waterfront 5K, plus $1,500-minimum corporate gardening volunteer days), and event fundraising (the LIC Waterfront 5K, which raised over $150,000 in 2025, and the Waterfront Gala, which raised over $20,000 in 2025). Major corporate sponsors include TF Cornerstone, Hunter's Point South Living, and ConEdison, and the organization partners with the Newtown Creek Alliance, North Brooklyn Community Boathouse, and Gotham Point LIC on the Boathouse. Customer segments span families and children, fitness and wellness seekers, schools and educational groups from across NYC, corporate volunteer groups, and Long Island City / Western Queens residents.

The organization runs on a lean two-person full-time staff (Executive Director Jessica Sechrist and Programming & Communications Coordinator Serina Griffin), supported by a board of directors and a network of over 1,000 annual volunteers who contributed 2,200+ bags of weed removal and 600+ plantings in 2024. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard nonprofit SaaS tools (Eventbrite, Network for Good, Constant Contact, Signup.com) and on grassroots community-led go-to-market through Instagram, email, word-of-mouth, and community partner networks. The parks under HPPC's stewardship have collectively received at least 15 design and architecture awards, including national Honor Awards from ASLA and the International Waterfront Center.

Name

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy

Legal name

Friends of Gantry Plaza State Park, Inc.

Website

https://hunterspointparks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that operates, programs, and advocates for Hunter's Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, Queens, delivering over 200 free community programs and environmental education annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parks & Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Parks conservancy services
• Waterfront park management
• Environmental education programs
• Community recreation programs
• Nonprofit park stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Long Island City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals at various levels. Donors contributing $150 or more or monthly pledges of $15+ become Green Guardians program members with exclusive event access.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages for programs including Summer Kids, Fitness, Environmental Education, and the annual LIC Waterfront 5K event. Corporate gardening group donations also accepted at minimum $1,500.
3. Event Revenue: Fundraising events including the Waterfront Gala and LIC Waterfront 5K generate revenue through participant registrations and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy operates, enhances, and advocates for the Hunter's Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park waterfront parks in Long Island City, Queens. It runs over 200 free community programs per year including fitness classes, kids programming, art classes, and movie nights, and delivers water-based recreation, environmental education, and paddle programming through the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center. All programs are free to the public and funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

Hunters Point Parks Conservancy operates as a single unified nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of park management, community programming, and environmental education services. The core offering centers on operating and enhancing Hunter's Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, Queens. Key products and services include the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center (launched October 2023) providing recreational water access and environmental education; over 200 free public programs annually including fitness classes, kids programming, art programs, and movie nights; the annual LIC Waterfront 5K and Waterfront Gala as flagship fundraising events; environmental education programming including school field trips and nature walks; community advocacy for park expansion; and resilient park design features including tidal marshes and bioswales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center A boathouse and environmental education center at the confluence of the East River and Newtown Creek providing recreational boating programs for youths and adults, year-round events, and educational programming centered on environmental sustainability for community members, school groups, and summer camps.
• Free Public Programs Over 200 free community programs annually including yoga and fitness sessions, kids programs, movie nights, and art classes hosted in Hunter's Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park for Long Island City residents and visitors.
• Summer Kids Six weeks of free programs for children ages 0-10 held daily at 10am at the turf oval in Hunter's Point South Park or at the picnic tables by the Ranger Station in Gantry Plaza State Park, featuring music, movement, art, science, and STEAM programs for local families.
• LIC Waterfront 5K Annual fundraising race through the streets and waterfront parks of Long Island City, drawing nearly 2,000 runners and walkers, with proceeds supporting HPPC parks and free community events.
• Waterfront Gala Annual fundraising gala supporting HPPC's work in the parks, raising over $20,000 in 2025, attended by community supporters, corporate sponsors, and board members.
• Environmental Education Environmental education programs from the Queens Landing Boathouse including school field trips, nature walks, nature journaling, and educational aquariums showcasing local marine wildlife for school groups, families, and community members.
• Volunteer Programs Community volunteer programs including corporate gardening days (minimum $1,500 donation) and individual volunteer sessions supporting park maintenance, weeding, planting, and ecological restoration across Hunter's Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 21,620 people attended 226 free programs in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Newtown Creek AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Primary partner in operating the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center. Provides STEM-based, interactive environmental programs including Marine Ecology Investigation and Civic Engagement on the Creek field trips. Runs programs from Queens Landing for school groups, clubs, and summer camps.
• North Brooklyn Community BoathousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opening and operating Queens Landing Boathouse. Runs member trips to help people get familiar with the water and be trained to help with public programming, and free boating safety classes in the off season.
• Gotham Point LICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opening the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center.
• Woodside-Sunnyside RunnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner in organizing the LIC Waterfront 5K, a flagship fundraising event for the conservancy.
• Run LICcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner in organizing the LIC Waterfront 5K running event.
• TF CornerstonemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer program sponsor supporting fitness and kids programming at the waterfront parks.
• Hunter's Point South LivingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer program sponsor supporting waterfront programming.
• ConEdisonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for summer programs and Bulbfest annual event.
• NYC Green FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter of the annual Bulbfest bulb planting event.
• Van ZyverdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates bulbs for the annual Bulbfest community planting event.
• NYC Department of Parks & RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner organization managing Hunter's Point South Park. The conservancy works with NYC Parks to fund park improvements and advocate for policies supporting the parks.
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner organization managing Gantry Plaza State Park. The conservancy operates under a Memorandum of Agreement with NYS Parks since 1998.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Friends of the High Line: NYC nonprofit conservancy managing the High Line elevated park. Comparable mission in park stewardship, public programming, fundraising events, and government partnership model with NYC Parks.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy: NYC waterfront parks conservancy operating Brooklyn Bridge Park on the East River. Direct peer in waterfront park management, free public programming, environmental education, and corporate fundraising — highly analogous operating model to HPPC.
• Riverside Park Conservancy: NYC nonprofit conservancy managing Riverside Park along the Hudson. Similar partnership with NYC Parks, volunteer-driven stewardship model, and free public programming focus comparable to HPPC.
• Battery Conservancy: NYC nonprofit conservancy managing Battery Park at Manhattan's southern tip. Comparable waterfront park stewardship model, free public programming, and fundraising approach via corporate sponsorships and events.
• Bryant Park Corporation: Nonprofit managing Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan. Highly comparable as HPPC's Executive Director Jessica Sechrist began her career supporting Bryant Park programs. Same nonprofit park management model with free public programming.

Broad incumbents

• Central Park Conservancy: Largest NYC parks conservancy, managing Central Park in partnership with NYC Parks. Highly comparable 501(c)(3) nonprofit model focused on park maintenance, programming, and fundraising, though operating at vastly greater scale than HPPC.
• Prospect Park Alliance: Nonprofit managing Prospect Park in partnership with NYC Parks. Similar nonprofit conservancy model focused on park maintenance, free public programming, environmental education, and donor/corporate fundraising.
• Hudson River Park Trust: Public benefit corporation managing NYC's Hudson River Park waterfront. Comparable in waterfront park management, environmental education, and community programming, but operates as a state-city entity rather than a private nonprofit.

Emerging players

• North Brooklyn Community Boathouse: Volunteer-led NYC nonprofit providing free public boating programs and partner in Queens Landing Boathouse. Comparable in free public boating safety classes, recreational water access, and volunteer-driven community programming model.
• Newtown Creek Alliance: NYC nonprofit and HPPC's core partner operating the Queens Landing Boathouse. Comparable in environmental education programming, Newtown Creek stewardship, and school field trip operations, with overlapping programming focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/licwaterfront
• Facebookfacebook.com/hunterspointparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hunters-point-parks-conservancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hunters Point Parks Conservancy