New York City - In the Hamptons, grass, trees, flowers, and plants are a given. In Manhattan, amid the canyons of steel, they are a rarity, except for the 843 acres, which are known as Central Park. They add so much to the quality of New York City life. And, Central Park owes its existence to the Central Park Conservancy, the women's committee and their supporters.

Sigourney Weaver.

On May 5, the Central Park Conservancy's Women's Committee held their annual luncheon in the six-acre Conservatory Garden, the Park's only formal garden. By all accounts, it was the most successful ever. What began 28 years ago as 75 concerned women meeting at Tavern on the Green to find a way to rehabilitate a neglected Central Park has blossomed in a landmark event.

Women's Committee President Gillian Miniter and FLO Co-Chairs Noreen Buckfire, Anne Harrison, Marcia Mishaan and Sarah Robertson formed a receiving line on the Conservatory Garden steps where they greeted over 1,200 supporters.

Most of guests wore hats, from delicate and beautiful to large and extravagant. That is why the event has been nicknamed "The Hat Luncheon." Looking from above, it was a sea of color. "Other than the Kentucky Derby, it's the premiere hat event in this country," Marshall Heyman quoted hat designer Eric Javits.

Miniter opened the Awards program, welcoming everyone, then acknowledged Norma Dana and Jean Clark, two of the four Women's Committee founders; Tom Kempner, current Chairman of the Board of Trustees; the Conservancy's founder Betsy Barlow Rogers; and Douglas Blonsky, President of the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator, who is celebrating his 25th year with the organization. The Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 to restore Central Park, after it had fallen into a serious state of disrepair

Martha Stewart.

Honorees of this year's event included Corporate Chairman Tom Glocer, Thomson Reuters CEO, who has raised vital funds for the Conservancy. The Frederick Law Olmsted Award, given to individuals whose remarkable leadership contribute to the Park's lasting health, was presented to Betsy Messerschmitt, past president of the Women's Committee. The Award was also presented to Patsy and Jeff Tarr, longtime supporters of Women's Committee initiatives. The Tarrs recently funded the renovation of the Park's West 100th Street Playground, renamed the Tarr Family Playground.

The Women's Committee thanked Evelyn Lauder, Richard Mishaan and Thorunn Wathne for their in-kind contributions. Also Abigail Kirsch Catering and Andrew Pascoe Flowers.

Leading the applause were Sigourney Weaver, Martha Stewart, Michelle Paige Paterson, Silda Wall Spitzer, Hilary Geary Ross, Deputy Mayor Patti Harris, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Karen LeFrak, Fe Fendi, Allison Rockefeller, Tara Rockefeller, Blaine Trump, Susan Rudin, Fiona and Eric Rudin, Suzanne Johnson, Alexandra Lebenthal, Susan Fales-Hill, Amy Fine Collins, Eric Javits, Michelle Smith, Wendy Carduner, Eleanora Kennedy, Sheila Labrecque, Gail Hilson, Jessie Araskog, Kamie Lightburn, Lally Weymouth, Marlene Hess and Muffy Miller.

Evelyn Lauder, Karen LeFrak, and Gillian Miniter.

The Conservancy provides 85 percent of the Park's annual $26 million operating budget and is responsible for all its basic care. Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City, over its 30 years existence, the Conservancy has invested more than $530 million into the Park.

For more information go to www.centralparknyc.org.