
Coney Island, along with the City’s other public beaches, opens for Memorial Day weekend. Image Credit: NYC Parks/ Malcolm Pinckney
This past weekend, City beaches opened for swimming for the summer. From May 27 to September 10, 2023, swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM, and prohibited when lifeguards are off duty. All beaches are free and open to the public. (more…)

Rendering of the Bronx Animal Care Center. Image Credit: DDC.
On May 18, 2023, Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley, Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, and Animal Care Centers of NYC Chief Executive Officer Risa Weinstock joined community members and advocates to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Animal Care Center at 2050 Bartow Avenue in the Baychester section of the Bronx. The Animal Care Centers are overseen by the Department of Health and operated by Animal Care Centers of NYC. The new animal care center is part of the city’s efforts to help maintain a full-service animal shelter in each borough. (more…)

Mayor Adams announces the expansion of the Harlem River Greenway. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.
On March 22, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan to expand the Harlem River Greenway to the Bronx. Greenways are linear open spaces on public land available for pedestrian and cycling use and provide communities access to greenery. The expanded route will provide communities in the west Bronx with access to the waterfront via off-street paths and on-street bike facilities. The route will expand to seven miles, connecting Randall’s Island to Van Cortlandt Park. (more…)

The expansion of the “Big Apple Connect” program brings free internet and cable TV to thousands of NYCHA residents. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
On March 23, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced the expansion of the “Big Apple Connect,” the nation’s largest municipal broadband program that provides free internet and basic cable TV service to NYCHA developments. The program, launched last fall, is designed to help bridge the “digital divide”; according to cable service providers, between 30 to 40 percent of NYCHA residents are not subscribed to a broadband service. (more…)

A map of current FRESH supermarkets. Image Credit: NYC DCP.
On February 1, 2023, the Department of City Planning updated the progress of the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health program with a new report, “FRESH By the Numbers.”. The Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (“FRESH”) program gives property owners the ability to construct slightly larger buildings in certain districts if the building includes a FRESH supermarket. The program targets neighborhoods that often lack access to fresh produce and other groceries, which can result in inequities and worse health outcomes for local residents. (more…)