Parks Dept Launches NYC Water Safety Campaign for Beaches

The campaign was created after beaches have finally reopened for the summer. On July 9, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation announced a new NYC water safety campaign.  The campaign aims to inform New Yorkers about how quickly drownings can happen and remind beachgoers to only swim at designated beaches when lifeguards are on duty. The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation will also post signage and flags to identify areas where … <Read More>


UPDATED: Parks Department Closes Some Facilities, Mayor and Governor Announce Rule Changes in Coronavirus Response

Team sports are prohibited and recreation centers are currently closed to the public, but parks remain open. City and State governments continue the fight to control the spread of the coronavirus, instituting policies to encourage and enable as many people to stay at home as possible. Understanding the challenges of asking citizens to spend as much time as possible indoors as the weather continues to improve, the City aimed to keep City parks open as … <Read More>


Parks Department and Elected Officials Celebrate Reopening of Parque de los Niños in the Bronx

Reconstruction project cost $4.35 million and features a new track and ballfields. On August 13, 2019, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the reopening of Parque de los Ninos, located on the corner of Morrison Avenue and Watson Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, was joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York State Assembly Member Marcos A. Crespo, New York City Council Member … <Read More>


Anchor Parks Initiative Reconstruction Begins at Brownsville’s Betsy Head Park

The $30 million reconstruction project brings brand new amenities to the historically underserved Brownsville park. On March 19, 2019, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Brooklyn Community Board 16, and local students and residents broke ground on the reconstruction of Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Betsy Head Park’s reconstruction is one of the five projects of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Anchor Parks Initiative, a $150 million … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Parks’ Acquisition of Community Garden with Community Support

The City Planning Commission approved the acquisition of 6,000-square-foot community garden and passive recreation lot to place under jurisdiction of the Parks Department. On July 16, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on a joint application filed by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to acquire private property at 237 Maple Street in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn. The acquired property would be used … <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>