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>
Search Results for: Parks
Mayor Announces Citywide Community Parks Initiative
$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 … <Read More>
Parks contests audit findings
Parks agreed to implement only some of the Comptroller’s 22 recommendations. The City’s Department of Parks and Recreation solicits and awards concessions to operate golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants, and food carts on City parkland. Parks oversees about 500 concessions, and generally follows the competitive sealed bids and competitive sealed proposals processes. Revenue from these concessions equal more than half of Parks’ budget for Parks programs and services. Concession revenues in Fiscal Years 2008, 2009, … <Read More>
Sale of 4 closed FDNY firehouses sparks controversy
Mayor’s Office agrees to create community committees to find new users. On April 9, 2007, the Planning Commission approved four applications by DCAS to sell four closed firehouses in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The plan sparked controversy with residents, community boards, Borough Presidents Scott Stringer and Marty Markowitz, and Council Members Bill de Blasio and David Yassky, who argued that their districts needed increased FDNY services and, if the firehouses remained closed, only a community … <Read More>
City Celebrates Restoration of Four Sparrow Marsh in Brooklyn
On July 31, 2025, the New York City Department of environmental protection joined the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Design and Construction to announce the completion of a $7 million restoration project for almost three acres of wetlands in Four Sparrow Marsh, in Mill Basin, Brooklyn.
Mayor Vetoes Council Rejection of Bronx Casino Project
On July 30, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the City Council’s disapproval of the land use application for a bid to build a casino and entertainment complex at the current Bally’s Golf Links site at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
In 2013, the state’s constitution was amended to allow for up to seven commercial casinos statewide. Commercial casinos are separate from Native American casinos and do not include a race track. Four casinos have already … <Read More>