POLL: Have You Noticed Overcrowding in City Parks?
One day in May last year, Washington Square Park had 54,000 visitors, more than enough to fill Yankee Stadium. Annual attendance at the High Line more than tripled to 7.6 million visitors last year from two million in 2010. And Central Park expects to break records this year with 42 million visits.
These statistics come from a New York Times article today that looks at how “more people than ever are jamming into the city’s public parks, pools and beaches, filling the most popular ones to bursting, creating noise and trash problems and making the experience altogether less enjoyable for those looking for a bit of serenity.” This overcrowding has led the city to spend $6 million this year hiring an additional 500 seasonal workers. They’re also extending beach and pool seasons past Labor Day and implementing more free programs like outdoor movies and yoga classes.
[Via NYT]
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Lead image via Sammy in the City
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Hmm… maybe this is a sign that NYC needs more public green spaces throughout the city? While I love areas like High Line and Central Park, there are so many city blocks that are deprived of parks and public spaces for respite. Investments should be made in improving these deserts rather than trying to accommodate the cramming of more folks into the same spaces.
On the positive side, I can remember when parks like Prospect Park were basically deserted most of the time because they were considered so dangerous. And Morningside Park was a no-go zone. So the fact that people now feel parks are save enough to use and enjoy is a positive thing. The upsurge in tourists also contributes to park-crowding.