Release: Open space experts talk about rebuilding the NYC Parks Department’s capital process

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2019

CONTACT: Jessica Saab 212-838-9410 ex.316 / jsaab@ny4p.org

EVENT: Open space experts talk about rebuilding the NYC Parks Department’s capital process      


September 9, 2019 (New York, NY) – For the second year in a row, the citywide independent open space advocacy organization New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) has announced a collaboration with New York Law School on a four-part series of public discussions addressing significant topics related to open spaces in New York City. The first panel event  will take a deep dive into how new parks and open spaces are created through the City’s capital process – a process that can be lengthy, complex, and frustrating for all parties involved. 

Join us as we kick off the next series of provocative and productive conversations with “Open Space Dialogues: Reconstructing the Capital Process” on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM at New York Law School.

Moderated by Eli Dvorkin, Editorial and Policy Director of the Center for an Urban Future, the panel will feature leaders in open space, seeking answers to some of the most challenging questions facing the NYC Parks Capital Process, such as:

  • How has NYC Parks worked to improve the process? What functions are outside of their scope or control?
  • What are public expectations of funding, designing, assigning, and building park projects?
  • What can be learned by looking at public-private partnerships? 
  • How can the capital process be more equitable?


“New Yorkers are unfortunately used to construction projects taking years to complete, and when it comes to parks and open spaces, those years can mean the difference between having a playground for a child or for a teenager,” says Lynn Kelly, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks. “That’s why we decided to dive right in and explore how we, as a city, can improve the process through which parks and open spaces are created. We aim to identify where the current process is lacking and where there are opportunities for rethinking how it works and how private and public entities can form creative partnerships.” 

 

“I’m very excited that our Center for New York City Law and our Impact Center for Public Interest Law are co-hosting this event with New Yorkers for Parks, one of our City’s most important civic organizations,” said Anthony Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School. “Open space is vitally important to every New Yorker. As ‘New York’s law school,’ we are proud to be part of this series of important public dialogues.”

 

Additional details on the event are below. For more information, interviews, and images, contact Jessica Saab at jsaab@ny4p.org, 212-838-9410 ex.316.


WHAT:

Panel discussion on “Open Space Dialogues: Reconstructing the Capital Process


WHO: 

Eli Dvorkin, Editorial & Policy Director, Center for an Urban Future (moderator)

Sue Donoghue, President & Park Administrator, Prospect Park Alliance

Diane Jackier, Chief of Capital Strategic Initiatives, NYC Parks

Charles McKinney, Practical Visionary

Celeste Frye, Founder & CEO, Public Works Partners

Jennifer Godenzo, Senior Director, Participatory Budgeting Project


WHEN:

Thursday, September 12, 2019, 6:00 PM.


WHERE:

New York Law School

185 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

The event will also be livestreamed at https://www.citylandnyc.org/.


RSVP:

For press, please contact Jessica Saab at jsaab@ny4p.org, 212-838-9410 ex.316.

 

The Open Space Dialogues panel series addresses four significant topics related to open spaces in New York City, produced by New Yorkers for Parks and New York Law School. Leaders of New York City’s public realm present and respond to ideas about the spaces we hold in common, and answer questions posed by an engaged and energetic audience of park advocates, lawyers, civil servants, and civic-minded individuals. New Yorkers for Parks is the city’s independent advocate for parks and open spaces; New York Law School is an incubator for ideas, actions, and leadership in its role as “New York’s law school.” The Open Space Dialogues elevates public conversations about New York City’s vital infrastructure of parks and green spaces.

 

###


About New Yorkers for Parks:

Founded in 1908, New Yorkers for Parks is the citywide independent champion of quality parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers in all neighborhoods. Through research, advocacy, and the Daffodil Project, NY4P works with communities and elected officials to create and preserve quality open space across the city.


About New York Law School:

Founded in 1891, New York Law School (NYLS) is an independent law school located in the heart of New York City’s legal, government, financial, and emerging tech centers. Known as “New York’s law school,” NYLS embraces the city as its classroom by complementing a rigorous legal education with an innovative and diverse set of “uniquely New York” experiential learning opportunities. Since opening its doors, NYLS has produced graduates who have gone on to hold high elected and appointed office in the city, lead large and small firms, and gain broad recognition as captains of business and industry. Its renowned faculty of prolific scholars has built the School’s strength in key areas of the law, including business and finance; intellectual property, media, technology, and applied sciences; and government and public interest. NYLS has more than 18,000 graduates and currently enrolls approximately 900 students in its J.D. programs. The School also offers an advanced-degree program in Tax Law.


CONTACT: Jessica Saab 212-838-9410 ex.316 / jsaab@ny4p.org