Two major wins for New York’s parks and open spaces
NY4P has had a banner year. In addition to his repeated (yet still unfulfilled) commitments to fund parks at 1% of the city budget, Mayor Adams announced last week the creation of a Director of the Public Realm. A pillar of NY4P's Five Point Plan for Park Equity, this position will foster coordination and collaboration between city agencies and set the agenda for access, safety and connectivity throughout New York’s varied public spaces. We commend this decision, and we're proud to have advocated for this issue alongside the Municipal Art Society, Open Plans, and AIA New York.
In addition, the New York City Council passed foundational legislation to reform New York’s inefficient capital process. The two bills, which require NYC Parks to create a blueprint to reduce project durations by 25% and expand its online capital tracker, are the result of Build Back Faster, our ongoing campaign in partnership with Council Member Shekar Krishnan and the Center for an Urban Future. They set an important precedent for pending legislation requiring all capital-involved city agencies to streamline project timelines. NY4P and Play Fair held a rally in support of these comprehensive reforms, which CUF research shows could save the city $800 million over the next five years.
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Celebrating parks champions at our 2022 Benefit—Thank You! |
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Thank you to everyone who joined NY4P at The Loeb Boathouse for our 2022 Signature Benefit! Your support enables our research and coalition-building efforts and advances our 113-year-old mission advocating for safe and accessible parks and open spaces for all. |
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Thank you to Mistress of Ceremonies Melva M. Miller, keynote speaker Vishaan Chakrabarti, and benefit co-chairs Betsy Smith and Alan Steel. And a special thanks and congratulations to our honorees—Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Madelyn Wils, and Jamie Torres Springer.
We’re so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, including Citi, Con Edison, Central Park Conservancy, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Greenberg Traurig, National Grid, Javits Center, Two Trees Management, IAC, Related, PowerMarket, Delta, RXR, AECOM, and HR&A Advisors. |
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Welcoming new Board Member Jonathan Meyers |
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We’re excited to welcome Jonathan Meyers to NY4P’s Board of Directors! Jon is a partner at HR&A with deep experience advising public and private sector clients on the financing and implementation of complex real estate projects.
Following 9/11, Jon managed HR&A’s work to support recovery efforts with the Alliance for Lower Manhattan. He was later instrumental in creating an economic rationale for the re-use of the High Line, leading the firm’s efforts to estimate the impact of saving the historic structure as a public open space as an alternative to demolition.
Jon also spent ten years in the public sector, including as Chief Operating Officer at the Trust for Governors Island. We look forward to continuing the longstanding partnership between HR&A and NY4P! |
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Volunteers beautify Queens District 25 at two Daffodil Project events |
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Two recent planting events in District 25 embodied the Daffodil Project’s spirit of civic engagement. In Elmhurst, we planted bulbs with the students and faculty of PS/IS 102 and accepted generous funding from Council Member Shekar Krishnan for district-wide bulb distributions and plantings. And in Jackson Heights, community members came together in the cold to plant along the 34th Avenue Open Street. Thanks to all who participated. We can’t wait to see these beautiful yellow blooms come spring!
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Join the movement for parks |
| Parks deserve 1% of the city budget |
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{{Disclaimer}} New Yorkers for Parks
55 Broad Street
Floor 11
New York, NY 10004
United States |
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