Ella Parker
On September 7, 2025, the final section of the beloved East River Park closed to the public for demolition. This closing marked the beginning of the final phase of construction in a six-year coastal resiliency plan, scheduled to be completed in 2027 with a new park in its place.
This particular section, running from East Houston Street to East 10th Street along the western banks of the East River, held much more than a beloved track, ball fields, mature pin oak and London plane trees, and walking and running paths. It was a place populated by complex ecosystems, memories, moments of sensory bliss, and inspiration for the artistic community. A selection of 32 artworks inspired by the Park were collected in the following text, accompanied by words written by their makers.
This project was conceived in August 2025 by Ella Parker and published in January 2026 in a limited edition print-run of 58 copies. Each editioned copy features a different tree on its cover, captured on Polaroid, representing each of the 58 trees that remained in this final section of the Park. In a gesture toward those in communal grieving for the Park that was lost, each zine returns one tree to someone who cared for the space. The full collection of Polaroids can be viewed here.
- All artists retain full copyright privileges to the images reproduced above
Ella Parker (she/her) is an independent researcher interested in the fundraising methods used by cultural institutions. She is currently the Institutional Giving Manager at Public Art Fund, and has previously worked at the Jewish Museum, the Museum of Chinese in America, Firebird Community Arts, and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival.
She holds a B.A. in Art History and Economics from the University of Chicago.