FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
CONTACT: press@ny4p.org
New Yorkers for Parks Kicks Off 24th Annual Daffodil Project With Series of Community Events in All Five Boroughs
Volunteers will receive local sustainable seeds from NYC Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery
Photos for use are available here. (CREDIT: New Yorkers for Parks)
August 27, 2025 (NEW YORK) – New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) today announced it is kicking off the 2025 Daffodil Project with community events in parks across the five boroughs. Every Saturday and Sunday in September, NY4P will distribute thousands of free daffodil bulbs to over TK volunteers. Due to high demand, registration is closed. However New Yorkers still wishing to participate in what has become the city’s largest volunteer initiative may join a waitlist here.
The first daffodil bulb distribution events are on September 6 in Soundview, Bronx and September 7 at Prospect Plaza in Brooklyn. All the community events will include family-friendly activities and opportunities to connect with local advocacy groups. To date, over 500,000 Daffodil Project volunteers have planted over 10 million bulbs in parks, tree pits, gardens, schools and more across the city.
“Every year we are inspired by New Yorkers coming together in support of parks and open spaces,” said New Yorkers for Parks Executive Director Adam Ganser. “As the Daffodil Project lives on, it reminds us not only of the power of parks to foster community and make our city a better place to live, but also the urgent need to reverse the cycle of disinvestment that has left our parks stewards without the resources to ensure everyone has access to clean, safe green spaces.”
“Ecologically appropriate plants and seeds are critical for the conservation of our city's 20,000 acres of green and blue spaces. In partnering with the Daffodil Project for the second year in a row now we are thrilled to be empowering park supporters and volunteers to make an even bigger impact in enhancing their community green spaces. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for fostering biodiversity and civic engagement on behalf of our parks across all five boroughs,” said Seth August, NYC Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery.
“The Daffodil Project and Pollinator Day is a great opportunity for our volunteers, youth leaders, and staff to connect with others dedicated to caring for Bronx green spaces. This long-standing initiative supports our mission of park revitalization—especially in areas that may not receive as much funding or attention. We’re excited to partner with NY4P again and support its work to build the native seed bank and add blooms to our communities!” said Ava Chow, Seasonal Environmental Program Coordinator, The Bronx is Blooming.
Established in 2001, NY4P’s Daffodil Project is the largest volunteer effort in New York City history. The initiative stands as a living memorial to victims of 9/11 and Covid-19, a celebration of the New Yorkers stewarding and championing parks and open spaces in their communities, and a catalyst for civic engagement advancing NY4P's “1% for Parks” campaign — which calls on the City to increase annual funding for NYC Parks from a meager 0.6% to at least 1% of a $115 billion budget.
For the second year in a row, NY4P is partnering with NYC Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery, a 13-acre plant and seed facility on Staten Island, to distribute native perennial pollinators to volunteers alongside daffodil bulbs. These locally sourced seeds support the restoration and enhancement of NYC's natural areas and green spaces. Participants receive seed packets including Monkeyflower, Foxglove beard-tongue, New England aster and Gray Golden Rod.
Below is a full schedule of upcoming Daffodil Project events in September (all between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.):
Week 1:
Saturday, September 6: The Bronx – Soundview Park
Sunday, September 7: Brooklyn – Prospect Park Plaza West
Week 2:
Saturday, September 13: Queens – 34th Ave Open Street (34th Ave between 93rd St and 94th St, Jackson Heights)
Sunday, September 14: Manhattan – Union Square North Plaza
Week 3:
Saturday, September 20: Harlem – A. Philip Randolph Square
Sunday, September 21: Staten Island – Willowbrook Park
Week 4:
Saturday, September 27: Far Rockaway – RISE Rockaway, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd
To learn more please visit ny4p.org/the-daffodil-project.
About New Yorkers for Parks
For over 100 years, New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) has built, protected, and promoted parks and open spaces in New York City. Today, NY4P is the citywide independent organization championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods. www.ny4p.org
About the Daffodil Project
NY4P’s Daffodil Project is the largest volunteer effort in NYC history. It is a platform for parks stewardship and civic engagement, a celebration of the New Yorkers championing parks equity in their communities, and a living memorial to the victims of September 11 and COVID-19. Established in 2001, the Daffodil Project is now in its 24th year.