On a crisp winter morning just last week, the steps of New York City Hall were filled with a passionate crowd advocating for increased city funding for the Parks Department. Their demand? A hefty $95 million to hire 1,000 additional workers in response to the mayor’s preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year starting on July 1.
Leading the charge was Daniel Abram, the director of policy and programs at New Yorkers for Parks. As the crowd chanted, “Parks are power, parks are key,” the urgency of their message reverberated through the city.
Advocates Rally for Park Funding Increase
The rally, organized by the Play Fair Coalition, an advocacy group with over 400 member organizations, aimed to push the city’s allocation for the Parks Department to 1 percent of the total budget. This policy aligns with Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign promises from 2021, underscoring the need for prioritizing green spaces in the urban landscape.
Despite the city’s current fiscal year budget of $112.43 billion, an increase of $5 billion from the previous year, the Parks Department received $20 million less than the preceding year, as reported by The City. The lack of sufficient funding has led to targeted staffing cuts, hiring freezes, and neglected spaces, echoing the sentiments shared by Abram: “Parks are essential to the health and well-being of every New Yorker.”
Challenges and Calls for Action
As the city grapples with historic disinvestment in its Parks Department, issues like invasive species, understaffing, and vulnerability to extreme weather events have come to the forefront. The impact of these challenges is evident in the neglect of wetlands, marshes, and forests, which make up a significant portion of the city’s parkland.
Emily Walker, the senior manager for external affairs at the Natural Areas Conservancy, highlighted the stark reality faced by the department, stating, “Our forests have 5 million of New York City’s 7 million trees, and we have a bare-bones staff to care for them.” The need for adequate resources to support the preservation of green spaces is indeed pressing.
In addition to environmental concerns, public safety in local parks is a growing issue. With only 260 on-site park enforcement patrol officers covering 30,000 acres of parkland, the need for additional support is evident. Adam Ganser, executive director of New Yorkers for Parks, emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating, “The Parks Department has not been restored. There are critical programs that are not funded.”
A Call for Action and Investment
As the advocacy for increased park funding gains momentum, the Play Fair Coalition is urging for a significant boost in the Parks Department’s budget. The proposed $95 million allocation to hire 1,000 positions across the department aims to address the longstanding issue of low staffing levels.
City Council members, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens are all rallying behind the cause, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing green spaces in the city’s budget. With climate change impacts looming large and the pressing need to maintain and enhance urban parks, the call for action is louder than ever.
In the words of city council member Justin Brannan, “We’re going to fight like hell to get this done because it’s the right thing to do.” The future of New York City’s parks hinges on the decisions made in the upcoming budget negotiations, and the voices of those advocating for their preservation and enhancement are echoing across the city.
As the city navigates the complexities of balancing budgetary constraints with the essential need for green space preservation, the impact of these decisions will reverberate for generations to come. The call for increased funding for NYC parks is not just a matter of policy—it’s a matter of ensuring the health, well-being, and resilience of the city’s residents and environment.
And as the city grapples with these critical decisions, the rallying cry of advocates and allies remains clear: parks are not just recreational spaces, but essential components of a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient urban landscape. The path forward will require bold action, strategic investments, and a collective commitment to safeguarding the green heart of New York City.
