Adrian Benepe
Senior Vice President and Director of City Park Development
Serving as New York City Park Commissioner for the last ten and a half years, Adrian Benepe oversaw a major expansion of New York City’s parks system. During his tenure, he restored historic parks such as Central Park and Battery Park, added 730 acres of new parkland including Manhattan’s Highline, and laid the groundwork for an additional 2,000 park acres within the city.
Adrian Benepe’s career with the New York City Parks Department stretches back almost forty years. Prior to serving as Commissioner, Benepe worked as the Manhattan Borough Commissioner from 1996 to 2002. In addition, he has held the positions of Director of Art and Antiquities, Director of Natural Resources and Horticulture, Operations Coordinator, and Director of Public Information.
Benepe is also the former Vice President for Issues and Public Affairs at the Municipal Art Society and the Director of the Annual Fund and Major Gifts for the New York Botanical Garden.
