Van Cortlandt Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, April 18, 2013

Knick Greats Help Plant 1,000 Trees In Van Cortlandt Park

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Playoffs and last week, the Knick organization teamed up with MillionTreesNYC and PwC US to plant 1,000 trees and 340 shrubs in Van Cortlandt Park.

As part of the “Trees for Threes” program, PwC will donate one tree for every three-pointer made during the Knicks’ home games in conjunction with the MillionTreesNYC planting program. Through 39 home games at the time of last week's event, the Knicks had connected on 453 three-pointers. PwC more than doubled that number, planting 1,000 trees.

Knicks greats John Starks and Larry Johnson, Liberty Legend Kym Hampton, and the Knicks City Dancers were all on hand for the event. The trees were planted by Knicks employees, PwC professionals and volunteers from the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and MillionTreesNYC.

“The Knicks and PwC understand the importance of adding trees to NYC’s ecosystem and how valuable care and stewardship is to the health of young trees on the streets and in our parks,” said MillionTreesNYC Director Morgan Monaco. “We are so happy to be a part of their “Trees for Threes” program and will be watching all their home games and rooting for three-pointers!”

"This was a great event to be a part of -- planting 1,000 trees goes a long way towards preserving the parks for everyone to enjoy,” said Larry Johnson, Basketball Business Operations Representative for the Knicks. “It is always a lot of fun to get out in the community and help any way we can.”

“PwC is thrilled to support the New York Knicks and MillionTreesNYC with the ‘Trees for Threes’ program,” said Brendan Dougher, PwC's New York Managing Partner. “We have deep roots in the New York community and are committed to enriching the areas where our people and clients live and work. We’ll be cheering for the Knicks this season and hope to contribute to a healthier environment.”

“The Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy’s mission includes enhancing the park’s natural landscape so it was great to see John, Larry, Kym and the PwC team dig in and get their hands dirty helping to plant reforestation trees,” said Van Cortlandt Park Administrator and Conservancy President Margot Perron. “We are so appreciative of their help in adding new trees to one of the most treasured spots in the Bronx.”