UPDATED: Playgrounds Reopen as Part of Phase 2

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 <Read More>


Mayor de Blasio Closes Beaches for Swimming

“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 … <Read More>


City Council Holds Another Hearing on the Parks Capital Process

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 … <Read More>


COMPLETE VIDEO: Open Space Dialogues – Neighborhoods Facing Change

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.”


EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT – Open Space Dialogues: Neighborhoods Facing Change, Monday Nov. 25th at 6 pm

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 … <Read More>