NYC to resume work on over 100 delayed parks projects this spring
All images courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr
Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday announced over 100 park projects halted due to the pandemic will resume work this spring. The city has invested $417 million in NYC Parks to break ground on the 104 projects, which is a 142 percent increase in new park projects compared to 2021. According to a press release, more than 86 percent of the new projects implement sustainable features like LED lighting, rain gardens, new trees, stormwater capture systems, and the use of recycled materials. Roughly 62 percent of these new projects are being installed in neighborhoods classified as underserved and are expected to be completed by the summer of 2023.
Adams stated: “New York City’s parks aren’t luxuries, but necessities — playing a critical role building community and nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional health.”
“Parks can be the great equalizers, which is why every New Yorker, regardless of zip code or color, deserves access to a park. This $417 million investment to revitalize over 100 parks, playgrounds, and greenspaces is a major milestone in our recovery that will pay dividends for generations to come.”
Adams made the announcement beside NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue at Saratoga Park Playground in Brooklyn, a cherished playground on the border of Brownsville and Bed-Stuy that is currently undergoing a $2.183 million redevelopment project. The park will receive new play equipment, a spray shower, lighting, and restoration of its lawn.
“The pandemic lockdown proved just how important parks and open spaces are to all New Yorkers and we couldn’t be happier to move forward on more than $417 million in capital projects that update, improve, and rethink our parks and playgrounds for the community members who rely on them,” Donoghue said. “There’s no better place to make this announcement than Saratoga Park in Brooklyn, where we are completely upgrading a neighborhood playground that hasn’t seen major improvements in more than 20 years.”
Early in February, NYC’s borough presidents called on Adams to fulfill his campaign promise of committing one percent of the city’s budget towards the Parks Department. Despite reiterating that he would fulfill his pledge, many were disappointed to find that the parks were only allocated half of that funding in Adam’s first budget plan at the end of February. According to the budget plan, the parks department budget will be cut compared to the current fiscal year.
Active projects currently underway can be found on the Park’s department website.
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