b r o n x Bedford Park, Fordham North, Belmont, c i t y East Tremont, Claremont, Bathgate, Van Nest, c o u n c i l 2009 d i s t r i c t 15 Morris Park, Westchester Square, Crotona Park East

Parks are an essential city service. They are the barometers of our city. From Flatbush to Flushing and Morrisania to Midtown, parks are the front and backyards of all New Yorkers. Well-maintained and designed parks offer recreation and solace, improve property values, reduce crime, and contribute to healthy communities.

s h o w c a s e : Crotona Park Until 2006 the City did not spe- cifcally track crimes occurring on city parkland, and therefore no data was available to tell citizens about the safety of their parks. New Yorkers for Parks worked with the City Council and Mayor to pass legislation mandating the tracking of crime in the 20 largest parks, with the eventual goal of including every park. The program was recently expanded to include 30 parks, one of which is Crotona Park. New Yorkers for Parks is the only place where the Ciccarone Park, Belmont public can access data on park The Bloomberg Administration’s physical barriers or crime. As a result, safety. Visit www.ny4p.org for more information. PlaNYC is the first-ever effort to studies show significant increases in sustainably address the many infra- nearby real estate values. Greenways structure needs of New York City, are expanding waterfront access including parks. With targets set for while creating safer routes for cyclists stormwater management, air quality and pedestrians, and the new initia- and more, the City is working to tive to reclaim streets for public use update infrastructure for a growing brings fresh vibrancy to the city. population while addressing envi- ronmental concerns. Through ambi- New York City’s population is tious goals to increase access to parks projected to increase by one million and open spaces, New York’s fiscally new residents by 2030, and demand prudent administration affirms that for our 29,000 acres of parkland investing in parks is good business. will only grow. It is imperative that creative efforts to expand our open Park innovations have flourished in spaces continue—but perhaps more recent years. The creation of Hudson importantly, existing parks must be River Park and the revitalization of protected, maintained and adequate- Bryant Park allow access to areas ly funded to best serve current and that were previously off-limits due to future New Yorkers. City Council District Profiles City Council District Profiles Citywide

Citywide Parks by the A New Master Plan for Parks Numbers Significant steps have been made toward PlaNYC’s parks and open space targets, which include ensuring 29,000 that every New Yorker lives within a 10-minute walk Acres of parkland of a park and planting 1 million trees. Important 1,700 projects like the development of regional parks and Parks the “schoolyards-to-playgrounds” initiative, which opens schoolyards after hours to the public, increase 1,000 recreation space, thus resulting in an even greater Playgrounds need for maintenance funds.

2,300 PlaNYC shows the City’s commitment to Greenstreets improving open space and recreation opportunities. 12,000 Now, we must take the next step and create a master Acres of natural areas plan for New York City’s parks, which does not exist today. A master plan would respond to particular 600,000 neighborhood and regional needs and outline how Park trees best to expand the park system to serve current 2 million and future residents. Street trees Any expansion to the parks system requires 14 maintenance funding. Most city parks rely on Miles of beaches public funding, but this is not a predictable source as evidenced by the current economic recession. 800 While spending on park maintenance increased by Athletic felds 50 percent under Mayor Bloomberg between 2003 50 and 2008, a gloomy economic forecast can be expect- Recreation centers ed to result in cuts to the Parks budget in 2009 and beyond. Public-private partnerships will be affected 66 by the recession as well. Innovative funding streams Pools —as well as improved management strategies— can help ensure that the parks system will 6 weather these storms. Top: Breininger Playground, Queens Ice rinks Above: Central Park, Manhattan 22 Historic house museums Historical City Funding for the Parks Department (Adjusted) 1,000 $500 Monuments, sculptures and $400 historical markers d o l l a r s $300 o f

$200 m i l l i o n s $100 in

$0 ’89 ’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10*

f i s c a l y e a r *2010 = Projected budget By the Borough: Bronx

BRONX Parkland Alienation Park Inspection Program Ratings: Parks by the Bronx vs. Citywide (Percent rated acceptable) Numbers Although the Bronx has the most parkland of the Bronx Citywide five boroughs, much of that acreage is contained in 100% 2,596 Pelham Bay Park, at 2,766 acres the largest in the city. Acres of natural areas Bronx parks have been subject to two significant cases 90% of “alienation”: the taking of parkland for a non-park 191 use. In 2003, the City and State approved construc- Playgrounds 80% tion of a water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park, and in 2006, 22 acres of well-loved parkland 117 70% Comfort stations were alienated for a new Yankee Stadium. The Van 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Cortlandt Park case was high-profile and resulted in The Parks Department conducts 5,000 park inspections annually 374 mitigation funds for Bronx parks, but the alienation through their internal rating system, the Park Inspection Program. Drinking fountains at Yankee Stadium took place in only eight days with residents left in the dark. Both cases resulted in 144 soured relations between the City and the affected Athletic felds communities. Unfortunately, parkland can be legally 201 taken without public notification. The alienation pro- Basketball courts cess must be strengthened so that parkland in every borough can be preserved for New Yorkers. 436 Greenstreets Three non-profit partner groups fundraise for Bronx parks, in addition to 10 groups that raise money to 10 Pools support parks citywide.

Bronx Park Staffing 27 Gardeners & Assistant Gardeners 216 City Parks Workers At left: Van Cortlandt Park, Van Cortlandt Village & Associate Park Above: Poe Park, Fordham Service Workers 52 The Bronx has the highest percentage of land devoted to parks of the fve boroughs. Park Supervisors Bronx Citywide Park acreage 7,002 29,000 12 Recreation Directors & Percent of borough devoted to parks 26% 14% Specialists The Bronx has the 2nd lowest number of residents per acre of parkland of the fve boroughs. 5 Total population 1.3 million 8 million Playground Associates Residents per acre of parkland 190 276 23 The Bronx has the 2nd greatest tree canopy coverage of the fve boroughs. Parks Enforcement Patrol Tree canopy (trees on public and private land) 24% 24% (PEP) Offcers & Urban Park Rangers Number of street trees per mile of sidewalk 37 41 Crotona Park, East Tremont 00.5 1Miles bronx City Council District 15

O AL

DEK

E 211 ST From Bronx Community Board 6: BRONX RIVER District Statistics a c r e a g e o f c i t y p a r k s E 210 ST Total district acreage 2,109

Bronx Community Board 6 asks VR PY EN NB Total parkland acreage 554

11 BX R Parks & playgrounds acreage 534 ‘‘that the City provide funds to continue JEROME PARK W 205 ST Percent City parkland RESERVOIR E 209 ST Olinville of total district acreage Percent parkland 26%

B

AINBRIDGE the restoration and rehabilitation of our Citywide 14% AV ARKSIDE PL 12 district’s numerous parks. We particu- E 204 ST P 15 AV Ranking of City parkland p o p u l a t i o n GOULDEN acres/resident MAJOR DEEGAN EN SB Population 159,618 larly urge the city to ensure that funds TE Norwood (1=highest, 51=lowest)

E MOSHOLU PY N AV Population under 18 54,937 E 204 ST are available to continue needed repairs UL AV PA Percent under 18 34%

BRIGGS KINGSBRIDGE E 198 ST 16 Acres parkland per 1,000 residents 3 to the upper portion of the Belmont Ranking of City parks & W 195 ST AV playgrounds acres/child Acres parks & playgrounds per 1,000 children 10 OIR Playground; to install night lights at V * AV RESER Bedford Park l a n g u a g e a c c e s s CD 15 Citywide the Mapes Ball Field; to renovate the Kingsbridge Heights ATUR DEC Most common foreign language spoken at home Spanish Spanish W comfort stations at Webster Play- AV AV Percent of homes speaking this language 38% 18% ON ground; and to complete phase two of CREST * QUEDUCT A AV c i v i c e n g a g e m e n t CD 15 Citywide 1 E 194 ST the Cook Farm in the Bronx project. Registered voters 66% 76% VIDSON ON RD DA E 190 ST AV ST Number general parks-related O B 311 calls per 1,000 residents 4 10 Fordham Fordham Number of parks-related 311 calls for maintenance

University OLINVILLE Statement of Needs for Fiscal Year 2008 14 per 1,000 residents 1 1

E 187 ST E 191 ST p a r k r e s o u r c e s CD 15 Citywide ’’ AV 13AV Does not include capital funding allocated to multiple districts or citywide. ON 2 AV * LT

UGER District-specific capital funding, 2004–2009 $6.3 million $4.2 million Parks, playgrounds WA PELHAM PY

CR TIEBOUT 3 Belmont and beaches p a r k s i n s p e c t i o n p r o g r a m r a t i n g s T 4 Results of the Parks Department’s internal inspections. 1 Poe Park 12 Tremont Park 3 6 Pelham Parkway 5 AV FY 2004 FY 2008 2 Webster Playground 13 Stop & Go Playground 100 * * AV AV 3 Slattery Playground 14 Parking Lot 80 CRESCENT 88% 86% AV 82% 4 Webster Ave Community 15 Crotona Park UMONT 60 75% E 180 ST BEA 7 UGER Playground 40 BRAD

16 Farragut Playground rated

CR

cent parks 5 Washington Park 10 17 Prospect Playground 20 “acceptable” 15 r Pe SOUTHERN BL 6 Ciccarone Park 8 0 18 Crotona Malls AV AV * 9 NEILL 7 A Farm In The Bronx E 182 ST CD 15 Citywide 19 Vidalia Park AV 8 Quarry Ballfields 20 Rock Garden Park BELMONT o p e n s p a c e CD 15 Citywide 9 Belmont Playground 21 West Farms Rapids ANTHONY Number of community gardens per 1,000 acres 17 4 10 Bronx Park/New York E 178 ST 22 River Garden 11 Vacant lot acreage 35 8,512 Botanical Garden Mount Hope E 176 ST 23 Bronx River Parkway HUNT AV BRONX RIVER Percent vacant 2% 4% 11 Mapes Ballfield AV East Tremont 13 12 MAPES 18 AV h e a l t h 14 Number of hospital admissions per 10,000 residents: CD 15 Citywide LEGEND nn DPR community gardens * HONEYWELL 19 AV

VR PY AKER AV 17 B Asthma 82 31 VanTA Nest TE 1/4 Mile nn Other community gardens 16 YLOR Diabetes 25 11 ONX R AV CR Council District Border THGA E 175 ST AV nn DPR beaches E 173 ST OT 21 BR BA ONA PK N 22 ARK New York City Department of P nn nn State and federal parkland UNIONP e d u c a t i o n CD 15 Citywide Parks and Recreation (DPR) Bathgate West Farms nn City-owned vacant land 15 Percent fourth graders meeting standards in math 73% 81% parks, playgrounds and O 23 AV greenstreets Q DPR schoolyards-to- CLAREMONT PY Percent fourth graders meeting standards in reading 47% 63% playgrounds sites WHITE PLAINS RD DPR natural areas

nn E 177 ST WRENCE

(Schoolyards-to-playgrounds is a citywide PlaNYC initiative LA ST to open schoolyards to the public during afterschool hours.) CROSS BX SVC RD S 20 E 174 ST AV AV

SE

VY TA AV YLOR 3 E 172 ST BOONE FTELEY

E 169 ST AV

ON RD AV

BOST E 172 ST Tools for Action 16 18 THIERIO Let your elected officials know how important parks are to you. T UNDERHI City Council Member: Joel Rivera [email protected] ELDER AV

Bronx Community Board 3 (718) 378-8054 AV AV 17 WATSON Bronx Community Board 5 (718) 364-2030 SOUND Bronx Community Board 6 (718) 519-6990 VIEW

Bronx Community Board 7 (718) 933-5650 AN EP AV Bronx Community Board 11 (718) 892-6262

SHERID City of New York 311 or www.nyc.gov

State and Federal Representatives www.elections.state.ny.us E 163 ST New Yorkers for Parks www.ny4p.org BO Y AV STORY Poe Park, Fordham

b o a r d c h a i r p h o t o g r a p h y Supporters About New Yorkers d a t a s o u r c e s Catherine Morrison Golden David Silverstein, Manager Altman Foundation for Parks All data is from 2008 unless noted. “Citywide”: Parks by the Numbers - NYC Department of Arthur Ross Foundation Parks and Recreation (DPR); Budget chart - Adopted Budgets, NYC Office of Management and e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r District 15 Photographer: New Yorkers for Parks is the only Greenacre Foundation Budget (OMB), FY 1989-2009, Preliminary Budget, OMB, FY 2010. “By the borough”: PIP Ratings, Christian DiPalermo Bill DesJardins independent watchdog for all the By the numbers & Staffing - DPR; Trees -“Trees Count!” Street Tree Census report, 2005-2006, DPR; Henry and Lucy Moses Fund city’s parks, beaches and playgrounds. This page: Population - Census2000; Language access - Infoshare.org; Civic engagement - NYC Board Ben Carlson d i s t r i c t p r o f i l e s s ta f f John N. Blackman, Sr. Foundation The city’s oldest and leading inde- of Elections and NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DOITT), Tim Francis Cheryl Huber, Director Abby R. Mauzé Trust pendent expert on park conditions, FY 2008; Park resources and PIP ratings - DPR: Community Gardens - Council on the Environment of Christine Kaelin NYC; Vacant land - MapPLUTO copyrighted by the New York City Department of Planning, BYTES Alyson Beha The Armand G. Erpf Fund efficiency and funding, New Yorkers Susan McCartney of the BIG APPLE; Health - NYS Department of Health, 2006 via Infoshare.org; Education - NYC and Andrea Marpillero-Colomina The Dana Foundation for Parks has worked for 100 years Laura Napier NYS Departments of Education, 2007-2008, analysis by the Annenberg Foundation. The Rhodebeck Charitable Trust to ensure greener, safer, cleaner g r a p h i c d e s i g n e r Mark Sanders Norman and Rosita Winston parks for all New Yorkers. m a p d a t a Michael Bierman David Silverstein Foundation NYC Parks properties - DPR; State parks - NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; National parks - National Park Service, 2006; Council District boundaries - BYTES of the Big Apple, DCP, 2005; Schoolyards-to-Playgrounds - DPR. The Future of New York City Parks

With the promise of Fresh Kills Park parks, the money is directed to the City’s in Staten Island and the completion of General Fund. New Yorkers for Parks has regional parks citywide, New York City’s long advocated for City Hall to allow the park system will expand over the coming Parks Department to retain a portion of decades in a manner not seen since the this revenue to offset maintenance costs 1930s. With sound planning and sufficient throughout the system, as is done in other funding, our park system will flourish. cities such as Chicago.

Although the City has an obligation to Property Taxes: Business Improvement fund parks, we have seen that in times of Districts have a long history of funding fiscal crisis, parks suffer. We must ensure park maintenance through tax revenues, that all parks—particularly those that with Bryant Park as the lead example. cannot rely on private funding—receive Friends of Hudson River Park is pursuing adequate public support. this structure. Such arrangements place some of the costs of park maintenance While “friends of” groups and the robust on businesses or residents whose property volunteer program administered through values benefit from a well-maintained park. Partnerships for Parks have a positive im- pact on park maintenance, more dollars are Public-Private Partnerships: More than needed. Park advocates have long debated 30 park-specific non-profits around the how to ensure funding streams outside of city fundraise for specific parks—such as the city budget to maintain our parks in all the Battery Conservancy and the Riverside fiscal climates. The funding mechanisms Park Fund. Groups typically raise money below have been successful in New York for capital projects or ongoing park main- City and elsewhere. Now is the time to tenance; however, this strategy has worked carefully examine these strategies to plan only in high-income areas. for the future. Zoning Bonuses: Developer incentives Concessions: More than $50 million is to improve open space can produce earned annually from concessions such as successful results. In West Chelsea, the food stands and ice skating rinks operated City passed a special zoning amendment on City parkland. Some public-private that allowed developers to build higher in partnerships are allowed to keep a portion exchange for contributing to an ongoing of concession revenues earned in particular maintenance fund to benefit the new parks through unique agreements with public High Line Park. This structure the City. But in the vast majority of should be explored citywide.

New Yorkers for Parks The Arthur Ross Center for Parks and Open Spaces 355 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor New York, NY 10017

Tel: 212-838-9410 / Fax: 212-371-6048 Top: Madison Square Park, Manhattan Middle: Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens www.ny4p.org Above: Vidalia Park, Bronx