Mayor announces Community Parks Initiative at Queens Press Conference . Image Credit: Mayor’s Office.

$130 million secured to invest in 35 under-resourced parks throughout NYC. On October 7, 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver announced a $130 million investment in 35 community parks throughout the five boroughs. This is the first phase of a multi-faceted program to support investment in the most under-resourced parks and communities, known as the Community Parks Initiative. The Mayor’s capital budget raised $110 million of program financing. The City Council, Borough Presidents, and foundation grants cumulatively contributed another $20 million. (more…)

A Parks employee holds a small bag of mulch at a previous Mulchfest. Image Credit: Parks Dept.

On January 17, 2023, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the results of the most recent Mulchfest, where the agency collected live Christmas trees that were recycled into mulch to be used for mulching plant beds and community gardens across the city. According to the agency, 58,309 trees were collected for this year’s Mulchfest.  (more…)

A Parks employee holds a small bag of mulch at a previous Mulchfest. Image Credit: Parks Dept.

In 2020, the Parks Department broke a record with over 50,900 trees mulched. Today, December 26, 2022, the Parks Department launches this year’s “Mulchfest,” where New Yorkers can mulch their live Christmas trees at locations in all five boroughs. The mulch can be used for gardening and to improve soil fertility. The mulch helps retain moisture, adds nutrients, and keeps roots warm. The mulch Parks collects is used to help city trees and community gardens citywide. (more…)

St. John’s Recreation Center in Brooklyn. Image Credit: Google Maps.

On October 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced that nine recreation centers across the five boroughs expanded their operating hours. This increase was made possible with $7.1 million in funding by Mayor Adams in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. (more…)

Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

The entrances are part of a $40 million series of park improvement projects citywide. On January 27, 2021, the Parks Department cut the ribbon on two new completed entrances to Prospect Park along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The new entrances are the first additional entrances added to Prospect Park since the 1940’s. NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been, Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Council Member Brad Lander, NY State Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue were present.  (more…)