Play Fair Statement on Mayor Adams’ FY’26 Executive Budget

May 2, 2025

The Executive Budget falls short of the investments New Yorkers are calling for to maintain our parks and green spaces after years of disinvestment, and we are disappointed the mayor chose not to prioritize this issue of major importance to the working families of NYC. To restore and strengthen our parks system and improve quality of life for New Yorkers, the FY26 budget must include $79.7M to reinstate 795 critical staff positions. This proposal leaves out most of these roles, from Park Enforcement Patrol officers who ensure our parks are safe, to the maintenance staff who keep our parks clean, to the neighborhood programming that brings communities together. And while the Mayor celebrated baselining positions in his speech, NYC parks were not included. The Mayor has voiced his support for parks before, and we look forward to working with his administration and the NYC Council to ensure the final FY26 budget includes this $79.7M as a baseline investment for the betterment of all New Yorkers.