Public Employee Press

Green architect wins Sloan Award

Local 375 member Emmanuel Thingue, a Landscape Architect 3 with 20 years experience at the Parks Dept., was among six city workers who received prestigious Sloan Public Service Awards in March.

The Sloan Foundation called Thingue "a Renaissance man whose ability to transform space is one reason New York has great parks and a green future."

A native of Haiti, Thingue immigrated to New York City with his family as a junior high school student, and he earned his bachelor's degree in architecture at City College.

Thingue said he takes special care to create inviting settings - using ornamental walls, playgrounds and water showers - and works with communities for his designs to reflect their cultural ambiance. A senior designer with the Parks Dept.'s Brooklyn team, he has designed over 30 city parks.

"Emmanuel Thingue has transformed the landscape of New York City with elegant, thoughtful and environmentally sustainable designs," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe at the awards ceremony.

"It's great to be recognized," Thingue said. "I am so happy, but there are a lot of other people who also could have gotten this honor."