FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 12
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press@ny4p.org
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Play Fair for Parks Coalition Responds to Mayor Mamdani’s FY27 Executive Budget for NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
New York, NY — New York, NY — The Play Fair for Parks Coalition (Play Fair) today responded to Mayor Mamdani’s FY27 Executive Budget. Coalition leaders applauded the administration’s addition of $15 million in baselined annual investments for the Parks Department, while noting the continued need for additional funding to cover the extremity of staffing losses under the previous administration.
Statement from Play Fair Co-Founders, New Yorkers for Parks Executive Director Adam Ganser and New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe:
"The Play Fair Coalition applauds Mayor Mamdani for recognizing the importance of investing in New York City’s parks system in his executive budget. This $15 million commitment of permanent funding for NYC Parks workers is a meaningful step toward reversing years of underinvestment and following through on the mayor's pledge to increase Parks Department spending to 1% of the City budget by the end of his term. It reflects real progress towards a more livable city for all New Yorkers where parks are prioritized as essential, affordable infrastructure. That said, given the severity of staffing losses under the previous administration, we also continue to call on the mayor to make additional urgent investments and baseline 100 Parks Enforcement Patrol and GreenThumb staff who will lose their jobs at the end of June. We look forward to working with the administration and City Council to ensure sustained support for our parks workforce and the resources needed to maintain safe, clean, and accessible green spaces in every neighborhood across the five boroughs.”
About New Yorkers for Parks
New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) is the citywide independent organization championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods. For over a century, NY4P has led the movement to protect, invest in, and celebrate New York City’s parks.
About Play Fair Coalition
Play Fair for Parks is an advocacy campaign and 400+ member coalition calling for #1Percent4Parks and elevating parks issues citywide. New Yorkers for Parks co-founded Play Fair along with the New York League of Conservation Voters and District Council 37, the NYC Parks workers’ union.