Lucas:
The Manhattan borough president should play a major role in promoting fair and transparent funding, maintenance, and expansion of our park system. That is why today I am pleased to release a policy paper as part of our campaign for Manhattan borough president.
New York is a world-class city, in part, because of our green spaces. Exceptional destination parks such as Central Park and the High Line attract visitors from around the world. Smaller, local parks serve as our backyards and town squares, places where communities gather, play, and breathe fresh air. They are all vital to the city's health, quality of life, and overall success.
That's why our city must invest in our parks in a meaningful and equitable manner. The policy paper, which you can read by clicking here, outlines my thoughts and views on this subject. It includes the following recommendations:
- Developing a separate 5-year capital plan for the Parks Department to facilitate long-term planning.
- Greater transparency, including an annual report of private funding for parks.
- Creating a community-based Open Space Advisory Board to advise elected officials and the Parks Department on capital projects.
- Using the land use review process to fulfill open space goals set out by community boards.
- Repurposing industrial, street and vacant spaces for parkland, pedestrian plazas and community gardens.
- Supporting innovative parks programming including senior swim hours, activities for children, and expanded greenmarkets.
- Completing a continuous "green necklace" of esplanades around Manhattan, and using the waterfront to increase storm resiliency.
As always, I welcome your input and thoughts. And if you haven't already, please sign up for a volunteer shift and join our growing campaign at www.jessicalappin.com
Thank you,
Jessica