Washington Market Park is maintained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

Friends of Washington Market Park would like to recognize our Head Gardener Chris McCarthy, Crew Chief Liz Viera and Crew Member Mary Ramirez for the outstanding work they do to plan and maintain the plantings and structures that beautify our favorite park.  We personally thank them and the entire New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Be sure to say hello when you see them working their magic!

Chris McCarthy
Assistant Gardener
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Mr. McCarthy holds a bachelor’s degree from Albertus Magnus College as well as a certificate in secondary education from Pace University. He received his advanced master gardener certificate from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this fall, and he holds several licenses for the city Parks Department, including those that qualify him to work with fertilizers and pesticides. He is also a Parks Department instructor for small engines. He has managed several parks in District 1, and now serves as the head gardener for Washington Market Park.

Previously, Mr. McCarthy was the groundskeeper at Great River Golf Course in Milford, Conn., where he also maintained the irrigation system and directed tree pruning. Before that, as crew chief for Shoreline Landscaping, he maintained 109 residential and commercial properties, and was an expert in hedge and plant trimming and tree work.

Mr. McCarthy participated in the cooperative training program between the Central Park Conservancy and the Parks Department to improve historic Harlem parks. He was named New York City Parks & Recreation Employee of the Month in June 2010.

Liz Viera
Crew Chief for Washington Market Park
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Quote: “I love my park…this is my park!”

Ms. Viera has been a member of the Washington Market Park crew for seven years and now oversees a team of four charged with gardening and all aspects of maintenance in the park.  

Liz Viera (left) and Mary Ramirez

Mary Ramirez
Crew Team Member for Washington Market Park
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Quote: “The best part of my job? Having a clean park!”

Ms. Ramirez has been working to maintain and improve the park for the past four years. Prior to her time in Washington Market Park, she has crewed in 46 other parks in New York City.