The NYC Parks Department has announced that 20 locations across the five boroughs will receive funding through its Community Parks Initiative. This initiative has been found to have a direct positive impact on the health of those living near the revamped parks, according to a six-year CUNY study. Hallets Point Playground in Astoria will be the first to solicit community input, with a meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening.
NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue expressed that investing in local parks helps all New Yorkers by providing spaces for healthy recreation, community building, and connection with nature, leading to a higher quality of life for those living near high-quality parks. Since the launch of the CPI initiative in 2014, the Parks Department has invested in 67 other parks, including Stroud Playground in Brooklyn, Louis Simeone Park in Queens, and Arrochar Playground in Staten Island.
The CUNY study found that CPI investment increased park use among adults, with New Yorkers near revamped parks being 66% more likely to have visited the facility than those near non-CPI parks. The parks were also observed to be more consistently used.
Terry Huang, a distinguished professor of public health at CUNY, stated that CPI is an unprecedented park renovation and equity initiative with a significant impact on the health and well-being of people. Among the parks set to receive $100 million in funding in 2024 and 2025 are Harding Park in the Bronx, Livonia Park in Brooklyn, and East River Playground in Manhattan. New Yorkers living near these locations will have the opportunity to comment on what they would like to see at their local parks at engagement meetings. This reflects the city’s commitment to involving the community in decision-making processes.
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Photo credit gothamist.com
