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162master vision163public artDuring the month of February, most of the horse drawn carriages that operate in Central Park suspend their business. During The Gates, all were in operation and report that they were fully booked for rides. One operator, Central Park Carriages, reports a 200% increase in the amount of tours given during this period. The Central Park Zoo reported a 26% increase in attendance compared to the same period last year. The Zoo also reported that gift shop sales were up ap- proximately 140% from the same two weeks last year. The Central Park Conservancy provided a number of services during The Gates. Visitor centers and kiosks throughout the Park provided information and souvenir products such as posters, T-shirts, and caps. To date, the Conservancy has sold approximately $4 million in Gates mer- chandise and $70,000 in other merchandise that it offers. During a typical February, the Con- servancy sells approximately $15,000 in merchandise. All proceeds from The Gates merchan- dise benefit nurture new york’s nature Inc., a nonprofit supporting art and the environment, Central Park and other new york City parks. Merchandise continues to be available at The Dairy visitor center and on the Conservancy’s website: www.centralparknyc.org. The Conser- vancy also offered trolley tours of the Park for over 10,000 people and walking tours throughout The Gates. These tours raised $158,760 to benefit Central Park. Other Businesses Retail business and businesses that cater to tourism in the city saw dramatic increases as well. The Shops at Columbus Circle at the Time Warner Center, which include Borders Books & Music, Cole Haan, J. Crew and Whole Foods, experienced an estimated 100,000 more visitors each weekend. Some shops saw a 30% to 90% increase in traffic compared to the same two- week period in January. Some merchants beat their plans by over 20%. new york Helicopter, which offers rides over Central Park, reported that business has been up between 35 and 40%. School Tours Beyond the economic impact, New Yorkers, young and old, shared an experience during The Gates. new york City school students of all ages visited The Gates, many through free tours offered through the Mayor’s Office. The Museum of the City of new york provided an area for nearly 600 students from schools across the City to convene, where they could be greeted by volunteer tour guides. The Department of Education also disseminated an instructional guide to The Gates for students and teachers. The Central Park Conservancy is currently working closely with over 300 workers, employed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, to ensure the safe removal of The Gates from the Park, which is expected to be complete by March 15, weather permitting. Christo and Jeanne-Claude financed the entire cost of The Gates and do not accept any forms of sponsorship. The artists, who do not accept volunteer support, provided paid employment for 1,100 workers - including nearly 700 new york City residents - for the assembly, installation, maintenance, security, and removal of the work of art. They also donated $3 million to the City for programs and operations both in Central Park and other City parks. For more information visit: www.nyc.gov/thegates and www.christojeanneclaude.net.8.A. - Page 87