Under twinkling May skies and the elegant canopy of the Marine Park Golf Course, at 2880 Flatbush Avenue, the Marine Park Alliance (MPA) hosted its second annual Garden of Giving Gala on Thursday, May 22nd — a spirited celebration of community, conservation and the Brooklyn green space that so many call their backyard.
Dozens of civic leaders, residents and green-space advocates gathered to honor two public servants: Assemblymember Jaime Williams of the 59th District and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers. Both were recognized for their steadfast commitment to preserving and uplifting Brooklyn’s largest park — Marine Park.
The night was filled with emotion and reflection. Peers was introduced by his daughter, Leslieann Peers-Roman, a junior at CUNY Brooklyn College studying political science with plans to enter environmental policy. Peers-Roman shared heartfelt memories, tracing the deep familial and civic roots her father planted in Brooklyn.
“My father chose to be my dad,” she said with beaming pride. “And just as he chose me, he has always chosen Brooklyn — its people, its parks, its promise.”
Peers, visibly moved, returned the sentiment with a speech that celebrated the democratic spirit of public parks.
“Everyone who walks into a park is equal,” he said. “It doesn’t matter your background. Parks are where we meet as neighbors, as friends, as equals. That’s the quiet power of places like Marine Park.”
Williams, introduced by MPA founder Maria Carro D’Alessandro, was lauded for her environmental advocacy, local leadership and unwavering accessibility. A longtime supporter of Marine Park and its surrounding ecosystems, Williams reminded guests of the irreplaceable value of green space amid rising development pressures.
“We are the suburban soul of New York City,” she said, emphasizing southern Brooklyn’s unique landscape. “Where others see real estate, we see marshlands, bird sanctuaries, fishing spots and open skies. And it’s our responsibility to protect them for our children, and theirs.”
The evening was not only about speeches; it was about celebration.
Attendees bid on silent auction items, enjoyed live music by Joe Pianos and browsed framed program calendars showcasing the Alliance’s past events and milestones. Local organizations and civic leaders mingled, including representatives from Community Boards 15 and 18, the Marine Park Community Association, the Kings Plaza-Canarsie Kiwanis Club and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
MPA Executive Director Scott Middleton, the Alliance’s first full-time employee, acknowledged the incredible effort of the volunteer board, noting that their work has transformed the park into “a living, breathing hub of culture, ecology and Brooklyn pride.”
Sponsors for the event included National Grid, Con Edison, the Carro-D’Alessandro Family, Ciardullo Architecture & Engineering, Voyager Acquisition Corp and the Marine Park Golf Course, which graciously hosted the gala.
A special thanks was given to Dr. Albert Duncan and the Marine Park Lions Club, a chapter of Lions Club International, whose members not only volunteer as stewards of the park but also made a generous financial donation in support of the Alliance’s programs.
Longtime Democrat leader Frank Seddio, representing the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, contributed a $1,000 donation in honor of the honorees, pledging continued annual support for the cause.
Board member Karen Ickel closed the evening with a poignant reminder that the work of the MPA is far from over.
“We’ve come a long way from Maria’s dining room table to tonight’s gala,” she said. “But there’s so much more to do. Marine Park is Brooklyn’s gem — it’s our job to make sure it shines for generations.”
Guests were encouraged to support the park through donations, volunteerism and continued community engagement. Attendees left with commemorative gifts from JoMart Chocolates and calendars listing upcoming events, including the Saturday, June 7thvolunteer day, where there’s a chance to earn a signature purple T-shirt and give back to the park that gives so much to Brooklyn.
As the stars rose over the golf course, it was clear: Marine Park is not just land. It’s legacy. And, thanks to the alliance of neighbors, leaders and dreamers who gathered that night, its future is greener than ever.
