City Parks Foundation Unveils Foundation Dinner & Concert Benefit Honorees

City Parks Foundation unveils its 2023 benefit fundraiser, which will take place on Sept. 28 in New York City’s Central Park. The dinner and concert benefit will be held at the SummerStage venue, with this year’s SummerStage Icon Award being received by Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer and President of National Programming for iHeartMedia. Devon Eisenberg, Co-Founder and Principal of the Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx, will be honored with the People & Parks Award.

“We are excited to announce Tom Poleman and Devon Eisenberg as this year’s honorees for the annual City Parks Foundation benefit fundraiser,” Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, said in a statement. “Our honorees share an exceptional dedication to building and enriching our city, be it through educating the next generation of leaders or nurturing the careers of talented performing artists. We are proud to be able to recognize and highlight their distinguished accomplishments.”

Performers for the upcoming benefit will be announced later on. A cocktail reception and dinner will take place from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., with the awards show and concert starting at 8:30 p.m.

“New York City continues to thrive thanks to the dedication and strong efforts of City Parks Foundation, which has reinvigorated our parks and contributed to the wellbeing and vibrancy of our communities through arts, sports and education programs,” Poleman said in a statement. “Having a sense of community is important; it builds local connection and encourages comradery. I’m humbled and honored for this recognition from City Parks Foundation, an organization that shares a common commitment to the community.”

The City Parks Foundation’s Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Festival serves as one of the largest presenters of free arts and cultural programs in New York City parks. More than 275,000 New Yorkers participate each year through their various arts, education, sports and community-building initiatives.

“I am beyond thrilled to receive the People & Parks Award this year,” Eisenberg said in a statement. “Partnering with City Parks Foundation is synergy in action for our students and those who enjoy our city’s parks; working with Seeds to Trees nurtures and grows both our students’ emerging leadership skills and the park itself.”

Tables and tickets for the event are now available via City Parks Foundation’s official website.