The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Mount Morris Park Fire Watchtower, October 26, 2019. Image Credit: Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

The Fire Watchtower is the only one remaining of its kind in New York City. On October 28, 2019, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver was joined by elected officials and members of the community to cut the ribbon on the renovated Mount Morris Fire Watchtower at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Comptroller Scott Stringer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Inez Dickens, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member Bill Perkins, Community Board 11 Chair Nilsa Orama, Marcus Garvey Park Alliance President Connie Lee, Mt. Morris Park Community Improvement Association Former President Syderia Asberry-Chresfield were present. (read more…)

Image Credit: NYC Parks Department.

The Playground received $2.9 million in improvements. On July 17, 2019, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver joined City Council Member Brad Lander and local community members to officially reopen Ennis Playground in Brooklyn. The project was funded by a $1.85 million allocation from Council Member Lander, $650,000 from Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and $484,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio. With nearly $3 million in upgrades, the new and improved Ennis Playground now features basketball courts, spray showers, new playground equipment, and a multi-purpose synthetic turf field which can accommodate free play, toss sports, picnics and more. (read more…)

Image Credit: NYC Parks Department.

The $1 million project is the latest in a series of renovations of the Triborough Bridge Playgrounds. On July 16, 2019, the Parks Department announced the completion and opening of a new dog run and revamped basketball courts at Astoria’s Triborough Bridge Playground C with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Triborough Playground C is one of six in a family of playgrounds, located on Hoyt Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue South between 21st and 26th Streets, that provide the neighborhood with a variety of athletic and recreational spaces. Playground C is the latest to receive attention, with Playground A having debuted a new soccer field and adult playground two summers ago and Playground B getting a similarly refurbished basketball court in Winter 2018 as the result of a partnership between Parks and the Big Ten Network. (read more…)

Seizure of three taxis without warrant was unlawful. Image credit: Manuel Martin.

A Segway user claimed he had a medical condition requiring the use of a Segway. On June 9, 2017, Parks charged Christopher Harrison with operating a Segway on Department of Parks and Recreation property in violation of Parks’ prohibition against the use of motor scooters in parks. Harrison defended by contending that a Segway was a permitted personal assistance mobility device which Harrison needed because his medical condition prohibited him from walking long distances. Harrison testified that he would eventually need bilateral knee surgery, and submitted a doctor’s note as evidence of his medical condition. Harrison later claimed that he had contacted the Mayor’s office when Parks began cracking down on the use of motor scooters in the parks and was advised that his use would be legal if he told officers that the Segway was a personal assistance mobility device. (read more…)

Street Trees in Brooklyn.  Image credit: thecityatlas.org

Trees are planted right into the backdrop of New York City. While there are only about 600,000 trees in the City, many of them occupy the sidewalks and streets in front of our homes. Given the dense population of the City, apartment buildings and houses are built right on top of each other. The trees planted on City streets and sidewalks need to be cared for otherwise, they can cause damage and problems for the surrounding residents and property owners. The Department of Parks and Recreation has procedures and guidelines for the care and maintenance of City trees. (read more…)