Lynn Kelly was CEO of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 83 acres on Staten Island with several museums, a theater, music hall and garden. In 2016, Lynn resigned leaving Snug Harbor on stable financial footing and with widespread name recognition.
She became head of New Yorkers For Parks and it was in recognition of her work in that position that she was chosen to be awarded the Medal of Honor. For over 100 years New Yorkers for Parks has protected and promoted open spaces across the city, advocated for policies that enhance the city’s vast network of parks, and ensures adequate and equitable distribution of resources to all neighborhoods. NY4P builds and maintains strategic partnerships with government officials and agencies, local parks groups and conservancies, and academic institutions. A signature public program, The Daffodil Project, planted over 7 million bulbs across the city as a living memorial to the victims on 9/11. Today NY4P is the only independent non-profit organization championing quality open spaces for all New Yorkers.
Lynn Kelly is now executive director of the New York Restoration Project.