Parks and CUNY Announce Initial Findings of Positive Impacts of Community Parks Initiative Investments

On January 23, 2024, the Parks Department and the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy shared the findings of a large-scale study of the public health impacts of the Community Parks Initiative. The Community Parks Initiative is an equity-based investment program to build and renovate parks, infrastructure, and community programming in underserved neighborhoods. The program, which launched in 2014, has improved 65 parks citywide, with another 22 projects <Read More>


Parks Dept and Elected Officials Celebrate Completed Renovations of Jamaica Playground

On September 27, 2023, the Parks Department joined Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Assemblywoman Vivian Cooke, members of Queens Community Board 12, and students from P.S. 40 Samuel Huntington Elementary School to celebrate the completed renovation of Jamaica Playground in Jamaica, Queens. The playground is located on Brinkerhoff Avenue between 160th Street and Union Hall Street. 




Monsignor Kett Playground Reopens After $9.5 Million Renovation

On July 26, 2023, Parks Department Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, and Community Board 12 joined community members to cut the ribbon on the renovated Monsignor Kett Playground in Inwood, Manhattan. The project—which required $9.5 million in funding from the Mayor’s Office—is the largest reinvestment the City has made in this open space.