Breakfast Archive: Adrian Benepe and City Parks

On July 6, 2015 the Appellate Division, First Department voted unanimously to enjoin construction of a shopping mall and movie theater on the site of the former Shea Stadium in Willets Point, Queens.  The suit was brought in part by advocates of New York City’s parks, the latest in a long history of actions by New Yorkers to represent their valued open spaces.  On October 21, 2005 Adrian Benepe, then Commissioner of the Department of … <Read More>


City Announces Investment of New Skate Parks for City’s Youth

On April 30, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced a partnership with The Skatepark Project and an investment of $24.8 million in skate parks in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The Skatepark Project is a nonprofit organization with a goal of providing safe and inclusive public skateparks for the youth and the City’s partnership with them will be in furtherance of Mayor Adams’ … <Read More>


City Council Votes for Three Parks Bills to Improve Capital Project Transparency, Build Green Micro-spaces

On December 21, 2022, the City Council voted to approve three bills that would improve transparency with the Parks Department’s capital projects process and utilize small or micro spaces that can be used for beneficial green space. All three bills were sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Chair of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation.


City Council Passes Package of Fire Safety Related Bills in Response to Twin Parks Fire

The bills aim to prevent the circumstances that took 17 lives from occurring again in the future. On May 19, 2022, the City Council voted to approve a package of five bills to improve fire safety and prevention measures in residences as part of the City’s response to the tragic Twin Parks high-rise fire which killed 17 people in the Bronx this past January. The fire was a result of a space heater, and the <Read More>



Parks Department Celebrates Holiday Season With Light Displays Across City

The light displays offer local options for those who can’t or choose not to see typically more crowded options like the Rockefeller Center tree. On December 11, 2020, the Parks Department announced that this holiday season, New Yorkers can enjoy local light displays at Parks administrative buildings and parks around the city. This season, Parks will host over 80 lighting displays across the City.