TD Bank Becomes First Long-Term Green Sponsor of the High Line
TD and Friends of the High Line announce a three-year partnership to operate and maintain the park
NEW YORKCITY – September 7, 2016 –TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, has entered into a three-year partnership with Friends of the High Line,the nonprofit organization that manages the park and provides 98 percent of its operating budget, to support the park's continued evolution, maintenance and operations.
The High Line is an oasis of biodiversity in Manhattan, featuring more than 450 species of grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees that grow along the 1.5-mile-long park. The horticulture emphasizes native, drought-tolerant and low-maintenance species, creating a well-adapted, sustainable landscape. Friends of the High Linepromotes sustainability in all of the park’s daily operations, including responsible watering, recycling, composting, snow removal and integrated pest management practices.
Friends of the High Line hasreceived many generous contributions from corporations over the last several years, but TD Bank is its first major long-termgreen corporate partner, according to the organization. The partnership will provide critical support for horticulture and sustainable operations initiatives over the next three years.
"Friends of the High Line organizes more than 400 free programs each year for our community, but our most important task is to maintain the beauty and integrity of the High Line for our 7.6 million annual visitors," said Friends of the High Line Co-Founder Executive Director Robert Hammond. “TD Bank’s commitment to our environmentallyfriendly horticulture and operations will help us keep our park extraordinary for years to come.”
As part of the sponsorship, TD Bank will provide a generous gift of $1million through June 2019.TDemployee volunteers will support horticulture and programming initiatives throughout the year.TD Bank will also spearhead a matching gift challenge as part of Friends of the High Line’s 2016 year-end fundraising appeal to keep the High Line beautiful, clean and welcoming for all.
"The High Line is a beautiful, unique urban green space in New York City that draws millions of visitors every year, from domestic and international visitors to local residents," Chris Giamo, Regional President for N.Y.C. and Metro New York at TD Bank, said. "Our partnership with Friends of the High Line demonstrates our commitment to making a positive, lasting impact in the communities in which we live, work and play, and this is part of what makes our bank different."
TD Bank’s partnership with Friends of the High Line is part of a long-standing commitment to expand and conserve green spaces through partnerships with environmental nonprofits. Going on its fourth year, the Rooted In NYC program – or #RootedInNYC – is helping TD Bank create a greener future for neighborhoods, communities, and cities.
As part of Friends of the High Line's month-long celebration of the Chelsea Grasslands – the area of the park inspired by the iconic American prairie – on Sunday, September 25,TD Bank will host apublic celebration at the High Line. It will be complete with music, guest speakers, food made with locally-grown produce by local chefs, and more. Friends of the High Line’smonth-long celebration will also feature an exclusive collaboration with artist Michael DeFeo and a panel discussion on September 26 with Piet Oudolf, the High Line’s planting designer, and Andi Pettis, the High Line's Director of Horticulture.
"We look forward to collaborating with Friends of the High Line to encourage our neighbors to value, share and celebrate green spaces, and to help make New Yorkgreener," Giamo said.
About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit Find TD Bank on Facebook at on Twitter at
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit
About the High Line and Friends of the High Line
Owned by the City of New York and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line, the High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. Founded by two community residents in 1999, Friends of the High Line is now the non-profit conservancy working in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to ensure that the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space for all visitors to enjoy. In addition to overseeing maintenance, operations, and public programming for the park, Friends of the High Line works to raise the essential private funds that support98percent of the park’s annual operating budget.
###
Media Contact:
Judith Schmidt, TD Bank
856-533-5357
Laura Bernstein, Prosek Partners for TD Bank
212-279-3115 x267
Cub Barrett, Friends of the High Line
646-774-2675
Internal