More greenery is needed in NYC’s parks

350 New Yorkers are killed each year by extreme heat. A new estimate by the city comptroller suggests that the number of heat-related deaths in New York City could rise to 3,000 over the next 60 year if extreme weather conditions become more frequent and more severe. New Yorkers are still recovering from the second heatwave lasting for more than a week. Now is the time to consider how prepared we are for climate change and what municipal authorities might do to help us better position our neighborhoods for the future.

It is easy and inexpensive to invest in green infrastructure and parks to strengthen neighborhoods against the heat waves. We know that extreme heat is a problem that affects disproportionately Black and Latino New Yorkers. A history of underinvestment has made neighborhoods of color more vulnerable to heat waves. It also limits the amount of green space and tree canopy that is crucial to lowering heat index.

On August 9, 2022, Aaron Matta, 10, of Canarsie, cools down in the fountain in Domino Park in Williamsburg.

Aaron Matta (10 years old) of Canarsie cools off in the fountain at Domino Park in Williamsburg on August 9, 2022.

The city must address the inequalities that have developed from its inability prepare for our changing climate. It must also establish a proactive resilience strategy to protect New Yorkers against catastrophic weather. This is the most crucial policy measure. Mayor Adams The City Council has the power to increase the Parks Department budget by 0.6% to 1% of annual spending.

Our health and happiness are dependent on parks. The city has neglected its vast park system, urban forest, richness in natural resources, and more than 50-year-old history. Adams, during his presidency, made an historic pledge to make “1% For Parks” a reality. This is the level of urgency needed to accomplish this task. The City Council will work with the administration to achieve this goal.

A better funding model for the Parks Department could allow for more tree planting in disadvantaged areas and improve our urban forest’s overall health, which is crucial to New Yorkers’ quality-of-life. Between 2010 and 2017, we added 3,253 acres to the canopy, a campaign that started under Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s MillionTreesNYC program. The New is Growing York’s tree canopy lowers the heat index by cooling streets and buildings; reduces flood risk and rainwater absorption; improves air quality; and provides psychological and social benefits. Although there are 650,000 trees in the city, they are not well distributed within our communities.

We have seen the benefits of green infrastructure investments in South Bronx. The area now has more tree cover that it had a decade earlier. This is due in part to the work done by the Bloomberg-led and de Blasio led projects that planted 7,600 trees in communities like Morrisania and Hunts Point. They previously provided very little shade.

It is crucial to raise public money for improving access to parks, open spaces, and other amenities. These are essential for New Yorkers’ welfare and health, perhaps more so than any time in the first few years of the pandemic. We know the risks of failing to create a solid system before it is too late. The first summer following COVID-19 saw more than 1.1million New Yorkers lose their access to parks, mostly in low-income Black areas and Hispanic ones.

Many towns are not close to parks, or have very limited access to them.

St. Mary’s Park, Mott Haven’s only large open space for communal use, is St. Mary’s Park. Over the decades, St. Mary’s neglected its basic maintenance needs. The result was a run-down area and dangers such as dirty needles. families from visiting the park. The recent increase in financing has had a significant effect on the acquisition of refurbished fields, a dog park, security lighting and drainage improvements, as well as other amenities such as disability accessibility and disabled accessibility. These types of public investments are essential for many of the city’s parks.

Unfortunately, St. Mary’s was neglected for many decades by the city. health is not uncommon in areas around the city. If we want all parks to be safe, accessible, and well-maintained, then we need to give our park leaders more resources.

The city must take steps to increase the resilience of its neighborhoods as the climate crisis increases the likelihood of heat waves. For example, trees and parks may be planted in low-income areas to lower temperatures and save lives.

Ayala is chair of the City Council’s General Welfare Committee. She represents East Harlem, the South Bronx and other areas. Ganser is New Yorkers For Parks’ executive Director.



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