Council’s park benefit raises $250K

The Washington Square Park Council reports that last weeks’ Under the Arch fundraiser for the renovation of Washington Sq. Park was extremely successful, raising close to $250,000. Matt Bardin, one of the new co-chairpersons of the group, along with Sara Goodman and Clayton Boushong, said the event “went very well. We’re excited to be doing our part for the park.” They sold 200 cocktail tickets at $200 apiece and 200 dinner tickets at $1,000 each. There was also an auction. Restaurateur Mario Batali, owner of Babbo, Otto and Lupa restaurants and a member of the council’s board of directors, donated and cooked the food for the event, for which he was a co-host, along with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Parker begged off, however, at the last minute, still basking in the blow of having won an Emmy the previous night. Sponsors included the Corcoran Group, Starbucks, Nanette Lapore, Kate Spade — which donated canvas, arch-emblazoned tote bags — and others. At the benefit, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe introduced Paola Zanzo, who will be the administrator for the park’s renovation project.