NY4P collaborates with a multitude of organizations every year, from NYC Parks to corporate professionals to grassroots community groups. 

As the citywide champion for open spaces, we strive to regularly bring people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds together to discuss the issues that impact our parks and open spaces in New York City. 

We facilitate discussions and utilize our network to connect individuals and organizations together in order to better build on each other’s work, provide advice and expertise, and join together for a common purpose.

 

Vishaan Chakrabarti and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) hosted NY4P, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, and a diverse array of parks advocates including foundation leaders, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood parks stewards for a deep dive into the proposed FY24 budget for NYC Parks.

A crucial question served as a jumping off point: Why are we operating from a place of scarcity? Attendees discussed the unequal impact of parks disinvestment in disadvantaged neighborhoods, the need to fund full-time parks worker positions for both career development and improved parks maintenance, and parks as critical infrastructure in the fight against climate change and the movement for safer communities.

The New-York Historical Society hosted NY4P's Daniel Abram, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, and historian Russell Shorto for a Climate Lab panel about NY4P's 1% for Parks Impact Report, which builds on Mayor Adams' commitment to allocate 1% of NYC’s operating budget for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Abram, Shorto, and Krishnan discussed the impact this transformative investment would have on the quality of our parks system, municipal jobs, and the lives of New Yorkers.

The Open Space Dialogues panel series, produced by New Yorkers for Parks and New York Law School, features panel discussions with experts from various industries that dive into the value, development, design, and delivery of open space in NYC.

Leaders of New York City’s public realm present and respond to ideas about the spaces we hold in common, and answer questions posed by an engaged and energetic audience of park advocates, lawyers, civil servants, and civic-minded individuals. 

New Yorkers for Parks is the city’s independent advocates for parks and open spaces; New York Law School is an incubator for ideas, actions, and leadership in its role as “New York’s law school.” The Open Space Dialogues elevates public conversations about New York City’s vital infrastructure of parks and green spaces.

Learn more about the Open Space Dialogues here and see recordings from past panel discussions.

The Boro x Boro series consisted of annual meetings in each borough with community groups, open space advocates, and people passionate about parks to focus on turning ideas into action steps, networking, sharing best practices, and creating plans to work together to create maximum impact.

Our 2018 Boro x Boro At-A-Glance report has key takeaways from our meetings with 190+ community groups and individuals representing every corner of the city. The main recurring concern was the lack of adequate funding for parks maintenance and operations.

Past Boro x Boro meetings

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Queens: Thursday, March 1, 2018
Flushing Quaker Meeting House
137-16 Northern Blvd., Queens, NY 11354 

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Bronx: Thursday, March 15, 2018
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center
3225 Reservoir Oval, East Bronx, NY 10467 

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Manhattan: Monday, March 26, 2018
The Jackie Robinson Recreation Center
85 Bradhurst Ave, New York, NY 10039 

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Staten Island: Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building P Staten Island, NY 10301 

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Brooklyn: Monday, April 16, 2018
Brooklyn Borough Hall - Courtroom 209
Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 

NY4P: Boro x Boro, Citywide Meeting: Tuesday, May 1, 2018
LMHQ
150 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10038