Image credit: New York City Council.
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 resulting smoke spread up a stairwell after the self-closing door failed to contain the smoke within the unit. All seventeen deaths were from smoke inhalation. After the fire, the Committee on Twin Parks Citywide Taskforce on Fire Prevention was formed by the City Council as a response to the tragedy, and Council Members worked to propose various legislation to improve fire safety. (more…)
Image credit: New York City Council.
On May 5, 2022, the City Council voted to pass Int. 173-A, a bill aimed to improve parks and playgrounds through better standards for quality inspections and provide more transparency about what playgrounds and parks require improvements. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee. (more…)
Happy Earth Day! Image Credit: CityLand.
Today, April 22, 2022 is Earth Day, and the Parks Department is celebrating with a series of events for New Yorkers citywide. Between today and May 1st, these events focus on sustainability and encourage New Yorkers to get outdoors. (more…)
Mayor Eric Adams and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announce over 100 parks improvement projects set to start construction this spring. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.
On March 13, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that 104 park projects that were previously paused due to the pandemic will break ground this spring. The shift marks a 142 percent increase in parks construction projects over 2021.
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Mayor Adams with incoming Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and Incoming First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
On February 4, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced his appointments to lead the Department of Parks and Recreation. The appointments are Susan M. Donoghue as Commissioner of the Parks Department, and Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as First Deputy Commissioner. The appointments are the latest in Mayor Adams’ new administration. (more…)
