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 … <Read More>

On December 13, 2022, agency and elected officials gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Orchard Beach Pavilion restoration project in the Bronx. The pavilion supports the 1.1 mile-long beach, which contains a hexagonal-block promenade, snack bars and food carts, souvenir stands, playgrounds, picnic areas, sports courts, changing areas and showers, and a parking lot. The promenade was designated as a city landmark in 2006.

On November 29, 2022, officials from the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Design and Construction and NYC Economic Development Corporation joined elected officials and community representatives to celebrate the opening of the new recreational deck at Pier 42 in the Lower East Side. Pier 42 is located off the East River Greenway and is located near the intersection of South Street and Jackson Street. The deck sits on a former industrial maritime site and parking … <Read More>

The project will be the first “design-build” project for the Parks Department. On November 23, 2022, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Design and Construction announced the design for the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island. The recreation center will be located adjacent to the Lyons Pools and across from the site of the former Cromwell Center, the area’s previous recreation center which closed after a structural collapse … <Read More>

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.

On August 19, 2022, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue cut the ribbon on a $6.74 million renovation of La Guardia Playground, at 252 S 4th St., in South Williamsburg. She was joined by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, and community members and representatives from the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance and El Puente. The new developments are funded by NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative (CPI), which targets high-density, low-income spaces for green … <Read More>