NYC Parks are Critical Infrastructure for Public Health and Safety
Testimony & Public Comments
May 20, 2024
On Monday, May 20, Policy and Advocacy Associate Jenny Veloz submitted testimony to the FY25 Executive Budget Hearing for the NYC Council Committee on Parks. On behalf of CCC, the testimony urges the City Council to reject proposed budget cuts to Parks services, especially in light of years of underfunding continuing to exacerbate staffing issues. As a member of the Fair Play Coalition, CCC maintains that parks are critical infrastructure for public health and safety and are drivers of social equity, and they should be funded as such.
Read the testimony here.
Testimony of Jenny Veloz, Policy and Advocacy Associate
Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York
Submitted to New York City Council Committee on Parks, Committee on Finance -FY25 Executive Budget Hearing
Monday, May 20, 2024
Since 1944, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York has served as an independent, multi-issue child advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring every New York child is healthy, housed, educated, and safe. CCC does not accept or receive public resources, provide direct services, or represent a sector or workforce; our priority is improving outcomes for children and families through civic engagement, research, and advocacy. We document the facts, engage, and mobilize New Yorkers, and advocate for solutions to ensure the wellbeing of New York’s children, families, and communities.
As a member of the Fair Play Coalition, which includes over 400 organizations from across the five boroughs, we would like to thank the Chair Brannan, Chair Krishnan, and all the members of the New York City Council Finance and Parks Committee for holding this hearing.
The pandemic elevated the importance of city parks, particularly as families sought safe and public opportunities to engage children.[i] Parks provide a vital service for families and children, helping promote play, exercise, and positive mental health. Children explore and learn in playgrounds and natural areas. In a city where few residents have access to a backyard, parks are an invaluable resource that foster physical and mental health, provide spaces for social interaction, and mitigate climate crisis.
The budget cuts to NYC Parks jeopardize the very heart of our communities. Years of underfunding have presented challenges for NYC Parks employees in keeping parks clean, safe, and accessible. NYC Parks now has fewer workers than it did before the pandemic despite increased demand and clear need for these spaces, and thousands fewer workers than it had decades ago. NYC Parks is chronically underfunded and understaffed. There are not nearly enough maintenance workers and PEP officers to keep our parks clean and safe.
Mayor Adams’ FY25 Executive Budget proposal cuts NYC Parks funding by over $55M and eliminates over 600 essential jobs. If enacted, these budget and staffing reductions will make it impossible for the agency to ensure parks are safe, clean, green, and resilient across the city. New Yorkers can expect trash strewn parks and playgrounds, delayed activation of sprinklers and water fountains during the summer, reduced hours and public programming at recreation centers, long-term bathroom closures, and neglected tree canopy care. While New York City’s budget has grown by 127% since 1980 and other frontline city agency’s budget has grown between 127%-165%, NYC Parks budget has only grown by 72%. NYC Parks budget has not kept up pace with other city agencies and neighborhood parks and green spaces are feeling the impact.
Parks are critical infrastructure for public health and safety and are drivers of social equity, and they should be funded as such. These cuts will make it even more difficult for the already understaffed, under-resourced Parks Department to carry out the basic work needed to ensure parks are equitable and accessible for all New Yorkers. CCC joins the Play Fair Coalition in calling on the City to fulfill the Mayor’s commitment to increase the New York City Parks budget by 1%
Parks are critical infrastructure for public health and safety and are drivers of social equity. New York City has a responsibility to make sure that our parks are safe, clean and equitable for all New Yorkers. New Yorkers deserve a fully funded, safe, clean, green and resilient parks system.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
