New York City Council debates $667M budget for parks with calls for sustainable funding

The New York City Council convened on May 13, 2025, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget for the Department of Parks and Recreation, highlighting significant funding needs and staffing challenges. Council members, led by Finance Committee Chair Justin Brannan and Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Shekhar Krishnan, emphasized the importance of parks in maintaining the city's green spaces and ensuring public safety.

The proposed budget for the Parks Department stands at $667.3 million, reflecting an increase of $50.6 million, or 8.2%, from the preliminary plan released in January. This funding aims to enhance swim safety and improve cleanliness in high-traffic parks. However, both Brannan and Krishnan expressed concerns that this budget remains inadequate for the department's extensive responsibilities, which include managing 30,000 acres of land, 1,000 playgrounds, and 800 athletic fields.

The council noted that the Parks Department's budget constitutes less than half a percent of the total executive budget, with nearly 330 vacancies hindering its operations. Brannan highlighted the need for restoration of critical positions, advocating for an additional $32.5 million to fill these roles, which are essential for maintaining park safety and cleanliness.

Krishnan pointed out that while the budget reflects an increase, it falls short of the $1 billion commitment made by the mayor during his campaign. He stressed that a clean and safe city is intertwined with the condition of its parks, urging for more substantial and permanent funding rather than temporary solutions. The current budget includes $18.7 million in new needs, but much of this funding is temporary, putting job security for park workers at risk.

The council members concluded that sustainable funding is crucial for the Parks Department to effectively serve New Yorkers and maintain the city's green spaces. They called for a shift from temporary funding to a more stable financial framework that ensures the long-term health of the city's parks and the job security of its workers.