Surrounded by some 30 area residents, environmental activists and other public officials, Jackson Heights Councilman Shekar Krishman proposed doubling funding to improve New York City parks.
“It is time to support our communities, to solve this systemic inequality, to expand and increase the green areas of the city, the time is now,” said Councilman Krishman.
NGOs ask for more funds for green areas.
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Shekar, who is also the chairman of the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, responded to Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that in his preliminary budget he proposed allocating $495 million for park maintenance. Which represents $63 million less than last year.
Councilman Krisham released a five point plan consisting of:
- Increase the parks budget to $1 billion.
- Create an entity that is responsible for building parks efficiently.
- Provide public access to all city shorelines.
- Open and renovate playgrounds in every ZIP code every five years.
- Plant a million trees by 2030.
Environmentalists oppose budget cuts.
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It is a plan that coincides with what environmental activists, such as Sergio Moncada, manager of the organization Forest for all NYC, have been asking the city government for decades.
“The parks, the trees, the groves serve as a break for us. Especially that was very clear during the pandemic and continues to be clear,” explains Moncada. He added that in addition to serving as recreation areas, green spaces reduce high temperatures and help prevent flooding.
The activists also emphasized that this initiative would have a great impact in Hispanic communities where there are few parks, such as in Corona, Queens.
Residents of Corona would benefit from the proposal.
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“Not only this park, many parks are deteriorated. So, it is necessary to invest in that,” explains Vicente Gayardo, a member of the pro-immigrant organization Se Hace Camino Nueva York.
Similarly, some of the residents shared his position: “That it not only be something temporary, but something permanent, for life. For us and for future generations as well,” said Maria Ines Molina.
The plan was due to be discussed by the Council’s Parks Committee this week. But it is not yet clear if it would be included in the negotiations between the Council and the Mayor’s Office.
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