How a Friend of the High Line Spends His Sundays
Alan van Capelle spends a lot of time trying to foster equality and a sense of belonging as the executive director of Friends of the High Line, the nonprofit that oversees the park’s operations. “There are very few places in the city where everyone can be surrounded by museum quality art, botanical gardens and performance space, regardless of their economic means,” said Mr.
van Capelle, 48, who is responsible for raising $20 million annually so that more than seven million people can visit the 1 ½ mile-long West Side public parkeach year, free of charge.
He grew up on Commack, Long Island, and is now living a life he never thought possible as a Jewish, biracial, gay man. “You either died early of AIDS or were alone, abandoned by family,” he said. “I’m living the dream because I never knew I could have a husband and two kids.” Mr.
van Capelle was one of the lead architects of the marriage equality campaign in New York, and is married to Matthew Morningstar, 48, an executive vice president at LPL Financial, a financial services firm in Manhattan.
