Mayor de Blasio has upset Upper East Siders again by inadvertently canceling a Central Park fund-raiser and its accompanying fireworks show to usher in spring with a bang — because he hasn’t yet chosen his new parks commissioner.
A well-heeled group was planning the annual Cocktails on the Park event April 9 to benefit the Central Park Conservancy. It includes bashes in “buildings all along the perimeter” of the park to “show its residents’ combined support,” followed by a grand fireworks display.
Last year, 80 parties were hosted by residents. In 2003, the event celebrated the park’s 150th anniversary and drew 1,500 guests — including Katie Couric, Candice Bergen and Sarah Jessica Parker — to parties hosted by the likes of Sherry Bronfman and Eleanor Kennedy.
But this year, “The fireworks were canceled, so were the parties, and everyone is disappointed,” said a source.
“They’re waiting until de Blasio names a new parks commissioner. Because it’s a fund-raiser, they thought it best to cancel.”
De Blasio’s rep did not respond.
A Central Park Conservancy rep said: “[The event] is a celebration of the park as well as our partnership with the city… We look forward to celebrating in 2015 with the next parks commissioner.”