On April 19, 2021 New Yorkers for Parks and the Play Fair Coalition hosted a conversation with New York City Mayoral Candidates about the future of NYC parks and open spaces and what policies need to be created for a 21st century, equitable system. (read more…)
Playgrounds have been closed since April 1st, but are now allowed to reopen as the City moves into Phase 2. Image Credit: CityLand
Over 1000 playgrounds will be reopened and cleaned, but equipment will not be sanitized. On June 18, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that playgrounds would be reopened as part of Phase 2, which began Monday, June 22nd. While NYC parks generally remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities within parks were closed and restrictions were placed to limit the activity allowed in parks in an effort to stop overcrowding and the spread of COVID-19. On April 1, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced the closure of all NYC playgrounds, as the density within them was too high. For CityLand’s prior coverage of park closings, click here. (read more…)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing beaches will be closed for swimming Memorial Day Weekend Image Credit: Mayor’s Office
“No swimming, no parties, no sports, no gatherings.” On May 17, 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City will not open its beaches for swimming on Memorial Day weekend or in the foreseeable future. The Mayor explained during a press conference that despite this decision, people will be permitted to walk the beach so as long as they do not congregate. This weekend and going forward, beach patrons can expect a NYPD and Parks Department presence to enforce these measures. Closed sections of the beach will also be marked with signs and red flags.
Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver Image Credit: John McCarten
Other agencies still missing from Council’s hearing on Park’s capital process. On November 12, 2019, the City Council’s Committee on Parks, Committee on Contracts, and Subcommittee on Capital Budget held a joint oversight hearing titled “Improving the Efficiency of Parks Department Capital Projects.” The hearing was chaired respectively by Council Members Peter Koo, Ben Kallos and Vanessa L. Gibson. This hearing was held in order to create a dialogue about the state of the capital process. In Fiscal 2020, the Parks Department has 619 active capital projects and anticipates spending almost $2.7 billion. These numbers have steadily increased since Fiscal 2016.
On November 25, 2019, the Center for New York City Law welcomed New Yorkers for Parks back to New York Law School for another installment of Open Space Dialogues. The event was kicked off by Executive Director of new Yorkers for Parks Lynn B. Kelly, with welcoming remarks by Center for New York City Law’s Associate Director Brian J. Kaszuba, Esq. The topic of the evening was “Neighborhoods Facing Change.”
Open Space Dialogues: Neighborhoods Facing Change
Join New Yorkers for Parks for a conversation among key stakeholders focusing on neighborhoods throughout the City that depend on open space as their critical infrastructure. Celebrating NY4P’s new Open Space Index reports on Long Island City, the Bay Street Corridor, and Bushwick, the evening will begin with a look into recent research and findings on these three neighborhoods. The discussion will shift to consider the future of these communities, with stakeholders and advocates from the three neighborhoods speaking about open space priorities, challenges, and opportunities. (read more…)
