ASK MAYOR ADAMS TO FULLY FUND OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT Help Reduce the Deadly Extreme Heat Our Neighborhoods Experience
Fellow New Yorkers:
As you may know, New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation – which is responsible for upkeep and management of our city’s parks, street trees, and forested areas – is severely underfunded and understaffed. And without proper care of city street trees, parks, and other greenspaces, we run the risk of losing valuable tree canopy that helps keep neighborhoods cool during summer’s heatwaves.
Many our neighborhoods are already vulnerable to extreme heat and cannot afford to lose any more trees or greenery. In fact, many of our communities need to see an increase in street trees, which only survive if there is diligent maintenance. Additionally, trees that don’t receive regular trimmings can start to lose branches, which becomes hazardous to pedestrians.
Mayor Adams once said “Parks are not a luxury, it's a necessity,” and pledged to commit 1 percent of the City’s budget to the Parks Department if elected. Not only has he failed to do that, but he has even cut the existing budget!
With budget negotiations underway, we need to send a clear message to the Mayor, telling him to put the money where his mouth is and keep his campaign promise. Follow this link to send an automated email message (which you are free to edit as you see fit) to Mayor Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and City Council Finance Committee Chair Justin Brannan demanding that 1 percent of the City’s budget be set aside for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
