The Play Fair Coalition Welcomes Councilmembers Koo, Adams and Rivera to the
City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation
New members bring greater gender representation, strong leadership to the Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2019
CONTACT: Megan Douglas 212-838-9410 ex.310 / mdouglas@ny4p.org
June 13, 2019, 2019 (New York, NY) – Today the Play Fair Coalition issued the following statement regarding the new members of the City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation:
The Play Fair Coalition welcomes Councilmember Peter Koo as the new Chair of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation. Councilmember Koo’s district includes Kissena Park, Kissena Corridor Park, and a key stretch of the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway, and is adjacent to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the largest park in Queens and the fourth largest in the city. Parks are clearly very important to the Councilmember and his constituents, and the Coalition looks forward to working with him to ensure that all open spaces across the city are well-maintained, well-funded, and equitable.
The Coalition is also excited to see Councilmembers Adrienne Adams and Carlina Rivera join the Committee. The Play Fair Coalition is made up of over 140 parks organizations from across the city, the vast majority of which are led by women. Councilmembers Rivera’s and Adams’ presence on the Committee makes it more reflective of the City’s parks leader and users, and the Coalition couldn’t be more delighted. The Coalition thanks Council Speaker Corey Johnson for bringing three strong parks leaders to the Committee.
“The Play Fair Coalition is largely women-led, and New York City parks groups both large and small are overwhelmingly run by women,” said Lynn Kelly, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks. “We are very happy to see Councilmembers Adams and Rivera on the Council Committee of Parks and Recreation, as we continue to strengthen the relationship between parks groups across the city and the City Council. We look forward to working with them, and with Council Member Koo, who we know will be a strong advocate for parks.”
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "Parks are one of New York City's most valuable environmental assets and the City Council Parks Committee plays an important leadership role in maintaining the vital role that parks play in New Yorker's lives. We congratulate Council Member Koo for being named Chair, and thank Speaker Johnson for adding women's voices to the Parks Committee with the addition of Council Members Rivera and Adams. As founding members of the Play Fair coalition, we look forward to working with the Committee to keep the Parks Department a top priority during budget negotiations and ensure that parks have the funding they need."
The Play Fair Coalition represents supporters of the Play Fair campaign, a multi-year parks campaign leading up to the 2021 mayoral election. Founded in February 2019 by New Yorkers for Parks, New York League of Conservation Voters and District Council 37, the Coalition now includes over 140 parks groups for across the city. In its first year the campaign is focusing on an increase of $100 million to the NYC Parks budget.
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About New Yorkers for Parks:
For over 100 years New Yorkers for Parks has been the independent champion for quality parks and open space for all New Yorkers. Through our research, advocacy, and the Daffodil Project, we work with communities and elected officials to promote and preserve quality open space across the city. Learn more: www.ny4p.org or www.playfair.nyc.
About The New York League of Conservation Voters:
The New York League of Conservation Voters is the only non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that takes a pragmatic approach to fighting for clean water, healthy air, renewable energy, and open space. For more information, visit www.nylcv.org.