Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
Championing quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods.
What's New
Park Equity Debated at Talking Transition Event
November 26, 2013
How can the de Blasio administration create a more equitable parks system? That was the topic of a New Yorkers for Parks forum at the Talking Transition tent in SoHo last Thursday. Read more and watch a video of the event.
November 26, 2013
How can the de Blasio administration create a more equitable parks system? That was the topic of a New Yorkers for Parks forum at the Talking Transition tent in SoHo last Thursday. Read more and watch a video of the event.
Improving Capital Projects in NYC Parks
November 26, 2013
Rents in New York City may be too damn high, but according to many park advocates and elected officials, the Parks Department's process for building capital projects is too damn slow. Read more
Coming Home in Sheepshead Bay
November 7, 2013
As the south Brooklyn community doggedly recovers from Hurricane Sandy, the Daffodil Project tradition – a constant there since 2001 – has taken on heightened meaning among neighborhood volunteers. Read more
A Conversation With FAC ROC Juror Holly Leicht
November 7, 2013
On October 23, Swedish firm White Arkitekter was named winner of a design competition for an 80-acre beachfront public site in Far Rockaway. Juror Holly Leicht explains what made the entry stand out and why, even when contentious, the deliberation process was rewarding. Read more
November 7, 2013
On October 23, Swedish firm White Arkitekter was named winner of a design competition for an 80-acre beachfront public site in Far Rockaway. Juror Holly Leicht explains what made the entry stand out and why, even when contentious, the deliberation process was rewarding. Read more
Rebirth in the Rockaways
November 7, 2013
No single moment – not fleeing her home, living in her car for two weeks, nor waiting in interminable gas lines – struck Rockaways resident Doris McGlaughin quite as hard as realizing the damage wrought on her neighborhood’s green spaces. Determined to bring them back, she catalyzed a literal rebirth in her community. Read more
November 7, 2013
No single moment – not fleeing her home, living in her car for two weeks, nor waiting in interminable gas lines – struck Rockaways resident Doris McGlaughin quite as hard as realizing the damage wrought on her neighborhood’s green spaces. Determined to bring them back, she catalyzed a literal rebirth in her community. Read more
City Council Delivers $15.5 Million for Flushing Meadows
October 21, 2013
Combined with funding that the United States Tennis Association agreed to provide in July, more than $25 million has now been secured to improve Flushing Meadows Corona Park and help launch a new non-profit Alliance, which will be dedicated to the ongoing stewardship of the 897-acre park. Read more
Participatory Budgeting Turns Out New Yorkers for Parks
October 21, 2013
Combined with funding that the United States Tennis Association agreed to provide in July, more than $25 million has now been secured to improve Flushing Meadows Corona Park and help launch a new non-profit Alliance, which will be dedicated to the ongoing stewardship of the 897-acre park. Read more
October 20, 2013
October 1, 2013
Mayor's Management Report Shows Progress in Maintenance, Tree Care
According to the Parks Department’s FY2013 performance report, maintenance and tree care have improved, but there’s still more to be done. Read more
Setting the Record Straight on Parks Conservancies
Recent large gifts to the Central Park Conservancy and Friends of the High Line have fueled a misperception that such nonprofits breed inequity in the parks system as a whole. With a City Council oversight hearing on park conservancies scheduled for Sept. 17, it's time to set the record straight. Read more
October 1, 2013
In Boston, 100,000 Yellow Tributes Will Greet Marathoners
In April, 100,000 daffodils will bloom along the Boston Marathon route: reminders of last year’s tragic bombings, a tribute to those killed and injured, and an ode to Boston’s solidarity and resilience. We profiled Marathon Daffodils founder Diane Valle. Read more
October 1, 2013
Setting the Record Straight on Parks Conservancies
September 16, 2013
Recent Reports
New York City Council Districts 4 and 5 fall far short of nearly every one of the 15 New York City-specific benchmarks that comprise NY4P’s Open Space Index (OSI) – even when Central Park and Privately Owned Public Spaces are taken into account. In addition to the findings, our fourth OSI survey offers preliminary recommendations for East Side open-space improvements, including reimagining underutilized public spaces, pairing new development with open space improvements, and realizing the full potential of the East River waterfront. Read the full report.
Read the full report.
Read the full report.
Our first Report Card on Large Parks assessed the conditions of 45 parks between 20 and 500 acres. The good news: the vast majority scored an A or B, and only one park received a failing grade. Read the full report.
Report Card on Beaches (2011)
Our third Report Card on Beaches looked at the seven municipal swimming beaches with an eye toward trends across six years. The average beach score increased from an F in 2007 to a B+ in 2011. Read the full report.
Lower East Side (2010)
The Open Space Index:
Lower East Side (2010)
In 2010, NY4P developed the Open Space Index methodology, which is based on a set of 15 NYC-specific benchmarks against which we measure open space maintenance, access, variety and environmental sustainability, generating data on the study neighborhood’s strengths and needs. Our first report assessed Manhattan's Lower East Side. Read the full report.
Supporting our Parks: A Guide to Alternate Revenue Strategies (2010)
In a time of strained municipal budgets, NY4P has become a leading voice on creative financing mechanisms for new parks. This report provides a balanced, comprehensive look at potential revenue streams to generate funding outside of New York City's budget to support parks while preserving their character and ensuring equitable distribution of parks resources citywide. Read the full report.
Our History
For more than 100 years, NY4P has promoted and protected parks and open spaces in New York City. Since our founding in 1908, our mission has been to ensure that all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods have access to quality parks and open spaces. That mission has inspired us to wage – and win – battles with Robert Moses over parkland alienation, advocate for landmark playground and waterfront parks projects, engage low-income teenagers in community beautification and environmental initiatives, and conduct and publish award-winning open space research.
Throughout our history, we have seen parks foster healthy lifestyles, social interaction, community stability and civic pride. More than just working on behalf of New Yorkers for better parks and open spaces, we’re working for New Yorkers on behalf of a better New York.
Read more about our past accomplishments here.