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The Topic
Parks and Open Spaces refers to those areas set aside by the city, state, or federal government for public access and protection of natural resources. Issues relate to the creation, preservation, restoration, maintenance, and best use of these spaces.
The Context
With more than 27,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, beaches and other recreational areas, New York City has the largest city park system in the U.S. (Add to that a state park in every borough, the Gateway National Recreation Area and four botanical gardens.) Yet the city has fewer acres of green space per person than any other major American city, and many neighborhoods lack parks. Community gardens on vacant city lots -- there are more than 750 -- are often the only green oases in low-income, minority communities.

Researching Parks ...

Rating Playgrounds, Courts and Fields
The city's playgrounds are in generally satisfactory shape, with little broken glass and their surfaces in acceptable condition, according to a new report by New Yorkers for Parks on city outdoor recreational facilities. The city's athletic fields did not fare as well with many "locked to the public without explanation." Many courts suffered from cracks and did not have the needed nets. (August 4, 2008)

New York’s Open Schoolyards Initiative: Will Artificial Turf Make it a Public Health Hazard?
In this paper, Tom Angotti, Paige Cowett and Shira Siegel consider the pros and cons of artificial turf and conclude that without evidence to confirm or deny the public health risks and cost effectiveness of artificial turf, the city could be endangering the health of New Yorkers. This is one in a series of working papers sponsored the Hunter College Center for Community Planning and Development. (July 1, 2008)

Yankees Parkland
City and state officials promised that the new Yankees stadium in the South Bronx would result in more parkland for the area. But according to a new report by NYC Park Advocates, the area will actually lose four acres of parkland. The report says that nearly 60 percent of the space the city claims will be replacement parkland was already mapped as parks. Also lost, it says, is the funds promised for upkeep of the replacement parks. (May 23, 2008)

Preliminary Mayor's Management Report
An interim look at the performance of various city agencies was released yesterday in a report called the Preliminary Mayor's Management Report. Published annually, it takes a look at the city's performance in the first four months of the fiscal year and forecasts performance expectations. Much of the information can be broken down by individual agency, issue, or community. Some significant highlights were: Sewer back up complaints jumped by 23 percent; the average response time to heat complaints rose by 50 percent (although stays within the goal of seven hours); and major felony crimes in schools were nearly a third lower than the same quarter last year. (February 15, 2008)

Insider Baseball: Subsidizing the New York Yankees
Taxpayers are subsidizing the Yankees’ new $1.3 billion stadium project with direct payments and tax breaks worth more than $663.5 million, according to a new report released by the watchdog group Good Jobs New York. This puts the deal in the same league as former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s offer to go "halfsies" on a ballpark for the world's richest baseball team. (July 20, 2007)

New Yorkers for Parks
An independent parks watchdog for nearly a century, NY4P advocates for safe, clean, and well-maintained parks, playgrounds, and beaches. Look here for reports on park conditions and management and for political action to support parks.
Project for Public Spaces
This site from a NYC non-profit that aims to build community life through public spaces is packed with resources about what makes a great city park.
Trust for Public Land
The Center for City Park Excellence of this national open space group supports the creation and improvement of city parks. It also conducts research into what makes a park successful and how parks add value to cities. TPL’s New York City office focuses on community gardens, school playgrounds, and open space protection.
City Parks Locator
Type in your address, and this parks department site will list all nearby parks, big and small, and show them on a map.
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
It’s easy to look up any park location, facility, or program at this site. You can take a parks survey, locate WiFi hot spots, find a concert or play, check park rules, print or submit permits and applications, and find out pretty much anything related to parks.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Formerly the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition, this group has been working for 20 years to bring a world-class park on the Brooklyn waterfront. With the park close to becoming a reality, the conservancy sponsors activities and advocates for adequate funding and proper maintenance.
City Parks Foundation
An independent non-profit that supports New York City parks without access to private funding, the foundation sponsors free arts and sports programs and events, as well as nature and gardening education for children. It also encourages community involvement in parks through Partnership for Parks, run jointly with the parks department
Central Park Conservancy
The official web site of Central Park, with news, events, tours, programs, and more.
Regional Plan Association
The independent planning organization that has been making recommendations for 80 years on region-wide policy and infrastructure needs, including open space and natural resource protection.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Visiting this site is the next best thing to visiting the garden, with virtual tours and everything you would ever want to know about Brooklyn’s horticultural mecca. Also find here gardening information and access to the library and resource center

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