BY KEITH FOX | Re “St. Vincent’s and AIDS: What’s in a (park) name” (news article, May 12):
I’d like to share some insights regarding the public design process, the New York City AIDS Memorial and the naming of the park.
I am the chairperson of the New York City AIDS Memorial organization and I both live and work in the neighborhood.
It’s worth noting that throughout The Villager article, there are references to “community members” versus “supporters of the AIDS Memorial project,” as if they are two distinct and separate groups. The vast majority of our contributors and strongest supporters live in the Village and are active members of the community.
We are parents, artists, business owners, and, yes, activists. We represent a broad and diverse cross-section of the Village.
There will always be divergent opinions, especially regarding our shared public spaces, but we are equally invested in the community and the park.
Your article also neglects to mention that our organization has raised more than $6 million to build and maintain the New York City AIDS Memorial. We have endowed a maintenance fund and continue to raise additional funds to create valuable public programming to highlight the community history we are dedicated to preserving.
Our contribution to the park, surrounding neighborhood and broader community is substantial and enhances the park’s aesthetic and functionality.
The park itself was designed through a public process and there were ample opportunities to memorialize St. Vincent’s Hospital through the park’s design. The broadly supported final park design incorporates the five inlaid medallions.
We have repeatedly expressed that we welcome additional historical signage in the park highlighting the role and history of St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Sisters of Charity.
Our process for designing the New York City AIDS Memorial was equally open to the community. We worked closely with all stakeholders, including those quoted in your article, to fully integrate the memorial design with the park and neighborhood.
Through three design meetings run by Community Board 2, we presented plans, took feedback, and ultimately presented a design that was approved by the community board, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Public Design Commission.
We engaged the neighborhood, listened to concerns, modified our plans, and from that process created a memorial that enhances our neighborhood, improves the park and acknowledges our mutual shared history of more than 100,000 New Yorkers, many from our neighborhood, who died of AIDS and the incredible activism that sprouted from our streets.
Regarding the park’s name, we were asked to participate in a community board meeting that was abruptly canceled and never rescheduled. Like other public meetings, we had a strong point of view and were ready to actively engage in the process.
However, the Parks Department commissioner ultimately names parks. After hearing from the community, public officials who are in close touch with their constituents and stakeholders, Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver named the park the New York City AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle. We think it’s an appropriate name that acknowledges both histories.
While St. Vincent’s Hospital is gone, there is still an opportunity to archive its history, contributions and legacy with the right commitment, funding and leadership from those in the neighborhood who have that desire.
The AIDS epidemic, unfortunately, lives on. Like St. Vincent’s, the AIDS Memorial will help save lives by teaching our history and through educational programming.
We look forward to enjoying, maintaining and celebrating our community park with everyone in the neighborhood.
Fox is chairperson, New York City AIDS Memorial
