“Making Parks Central”: Lander Releases Only Parks Plan in Mayoral Race to Better Manage and Beautify NYC’s Green Spaces
Watch the accompanying video with Julian Shapiro-Barnum here
NEW YORK, NY — With spring in full swing, Brad Lander released the only plan in the mayoral race to ensure well-managed parks and open spaces are accessible to all New Yorkers. New York City’s parks are strained by decades of underinvestment, deep inequities in access and desperately need resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change. Lander will cut through red-tape, deepen strategic investment, and support inclusive partnerships to deliver safe, welcoming, and climate-resilient public parks for generations to come. Read the plan here.
“Every New York park, pool, and playground is a microcosm of our City’s world-renowned energy, passion, diversity and joy of living — and must be more accessible and better protected,” said Brad Lander. “New Yorkers turn to our outdoor and green spaces for respite from the concrete jungle, and yet our parks are woefully underfunded and underprepared for the climate change threats that increase in occurrence and intensity every season. I’m proud to be the only candidate in this race to lay out a sustainable and more inclusive future for New York City’s parks.”
New York City parks generate over $1B in healthcare savings, $2B in stormwater management, and $101B in increased tax revenue from higher real estate values. Every ballfield and grassy area offers extensive opportunities for public health and wellness programs – from fresh air and sunlight to farmers markets, health fairs, yoga classes, and walking clubs. Well-managed public open space contributes to public safety, improved air quality, and reduced stress.
To protect and expand our parks, Lander will:
Plant and care for 1 million more trees: With NYC's tree canopy currently at just 20%, adding one million additional trees will provide significant benefits, including urban cooling, better air quality, and improved mental health for residents. While some trees would be planted along NYC’s streets, others will help strengthen NYC’s parks to withstand climate change by enhancing stormwater capture.
Expand our urban forests by investing in NYC’s 20,000 acres of natural areas. Brad fully supports the implementation of the Urban Forest Plan mandated by Local Law 148, which sets a goal of 30% citywide tree canopy.
Fully fund parks’ day-to-day maintenance staffing needs: Brad will stop the annual “budget dance” which has steadily reduced the full-time staff caring for our parks and open spaces, and will ensure that the City budget includes baseline staff positions necessary to maintain the quality Parks system all New Yorkers deserve.
Establish Pool Party Summer! Entering a NYC public pool facility should not feel like going through an airport security line. Lander will extend operating hours, modernize outdated facilities and enhance programming (music, food vendors, community events) to create a more enjoyable experience for swimmers.
Make playgrounds and public spaces safer in extreme heat and more resilient to climate threats: Lander will invest in shade structures, plantings, and water features at playgrounds and pools to welcome and protect kids and families during hotter summers.
Reduce park repair backlog by 50%: With an estimated $600 million in deferred repairs we must tackle urgent maintenance needs to ensure parks are safe and functional. By prioritizing the most critical repairs, we can cut the backlog in half by the end of the first term, making parks more accessible and enjoyable for all. Additionally, Brad will identify 40 parks over 4 years for transformative improvements.
Make parks an extension of City Hall: Lander will bring government to where New Yorkers live, gather, and play — our great urban backyard — by holding speeches, town halls, press conferences in parks across the City.
Read the plan here.
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