PARKS
There has been much good news about our parks for New York City residents in
recent years. There are now over 27,000 acres of parkland in New York, the
most of any city in the nation. Most of these parks are lovely and safe. Our
precious parks, however, are constantly under threat. In recent years, our
parklands have steadily increased but the Parks Department has to work with
a smaller budget than it had in the 1970’s and half the full-time staff.
The maintenance of our green spaces, by city workers and thousands of volunteers,
is a constant game of shuffling resources and recruiting money and patrons.
In the years ahead, let’s make sure that our parks are preserved and
handed down to future generations in even better condition than we found them.
Continue to Increase Parks Acreage
NYC may have bragging rights for the most acreage, but, unfortunately, have
the least amount of green space per person of any other major U.S. city.
As Manhattan Borough President, I will encourage commercial development
that includes park spaces, adding to our overall inventory of acreage.
Maintain Community Gardens
The city has over 750 community gardens. In some poor and minority neighborhoods,
these gardens are the only green spaces available for relaxation away from
the noise and stress of the sidewalks and streets. As Manhattan Borough
President, I will work with the Mayor’s office and with developers
to make sure that these gardens continue to thrive and are not sold out
from under neighborhoods.
Private/Public Partnerships
Nowhere has the mix of private and public effort been more visible and beneficial
than with our city’s parks. Great organizations like Partnership
for Parks and City Parks Foundation have worked in conjunction with the
NYC Department of Parks to form valuable coalitions. These coalitions have
organized tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers for trash pick-up,
painting, planting, and other parks restoration. As Manhattan Borough President,
I will be deeply involved with the process of expanding these existing
programs, and devising ways to recruit even more Manhattan residents to
get out and volunteer to keep Manhattan green.
Beautification of Green Public Spaces
The green way movement is growing in New York. I wholeheartedly support
recent beautification and conversion projects such as the Hudson River waterfront
and the Uniting Neighborhoods to Revitalize Allen & Pike Street’s
plans to transform Allen Street in to a vibrant boulevard for pedestrians
and artisans. As Manhattan Borough President I will help seek out opportunities
for communities and businesses to join together in building public spaces,
bike lanes and open air activities.
Neighborhood Parks Groups
As Manhattan Borough President, my office will work in conjunction with private
non-profits around the city to expand and start community-based parks associations.
These have proven very effective in the preserving the beauty and safety
of our parks in recent years, and are more important than ever with the
current budget crisis.
