JENNIFER HOPPA is NYC Parks' Chief Strategy Officer, working on the development of a vision plan and related strategic initiatives that advance the agency's mission to grow, maintain and program a world-class park system prioritizing equity, access, safety and nature.
She previously served as the Administrator for Northern Manhattan Parks and the Executive Director of the Fort Tryon Park Trust for close to 17 years. In these roles, Jennifer executed strategic planning, partnership development, community engagement, fundraising and put on more than 300 special events and public programs to enhance uptown’s 600 acres of parkland, including Inwood Hill Park. Jennifer helped oversee the public input, design, and execution of over $199M in capital projects for uptown's parks. In 2011, working with the Planning Division she developed the Northern Manhattan Parks Master Plan, and in 2017 collaborated with NYC Parks' Capital Division on the Highbridge Park Anchor Parks Master Plan and its $30M in priority implementation projects. Jennifer oversaw the reinvigoration of Fort Tryon Park’s 3-acre Heather Garden and directed $500,000 in private funding to transform it into a year-round horticultural destination. She enhanced uptown’s open spaces to strengthen parks by building bridges with the diverse communities that surround them.
She began her Parks career in 2003 as the Deputy Director of the Planning Division. In that role, she served on the High Line Development Team; helped to develop the Lower Manhattan Open Space Plan post 9/11; implemented Mayor Bloomberg’s Manhattan Waterfront Greenway plan; and secured $13M in federal transportation funding to extend the City’s greenway network in Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. In 2007 she received the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes prize in recognition of public service.
Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Public Policy from Trinity College, a Master of Urban Planning degree from Hunter College, where she was awarded the Robert C. Weinberg award and holds an Essentials in Urban Park Management Certificate from the Central Park Conservancy Institute/CUNY.
Jennifer and her husband Jeff settled in Washington Heights over 21 years ago and along with their two sons, love hiking in Inwood Hill's forest, playing on its ballfields, and relaxing along its waterfront.
