TESTIMONY
Sue Donoghue, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, on the Agency's Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget and Initiatives
3:03:40
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8 min
Sue Donoghue provides an overview of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's executive budget for fiscal year 2025 and highlights the agency's key achievements and future plans.
- The agency's FY 2025 executive operating budget is $582,900,000, reflecting the administration's fiscal responsibility while maintaining critical services.
- Donoghue announces the opening of the new Arverne East Nature Preserve And Welcome Center, a 35-acre nature preserve with educational and resilient features.
- The agency has launched the mayor's office of marine debris disposal to keep the city's waterfronts clean and safe.
- Extensive playground renovations across the five boroughs have been completed, representing $1,000,000 in investments.
- Efforts are underway to recruit and retain lifeguards to keep beaches and pools open and safe for the summer season.
- The Let'sGreenNYC initiative has surpassed 500,000 New Yorkers participating in service projects to beautify green spaces.
- The budget reflects salary increases for Parks employees resulting from recent contract agreements.
Sue Donoghue
3:03:40
Good afternoon, chair of Brennan, chair Krishnan, members of the Finance Committee And Parks Committee, and other members of the Count So my name is Sue Donahue, and I'm pleased to be here today testifying as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks And Recreation.
3:03:56
And to be joined today on this panel by several members of our agency senior's leadership.
3:04:02
Firstly, I want to thank the council for its continued support for our city's open spaces over the past year and for chanting the importance of parks for all New Yorkers.
3:04:15
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to discuss the agency's executive budget for fiscal year 2025 and to provide an overview of our agency's mission to build and maintain a restorative and thriving park system.
3:04:31
The arrival of warmer weather in the spring means that we're heading into our peak season.
3:04:37
When our city's green and open spaces truly come alive, and more and more people get outdoors to take advantage of our amazing parks to lead happier, healthier lives.
3:04:49
And we've been busy delivering results for all New Yorkers.
3:04:53
However, we also know that our parks are utilized all year round, and we're ready.
3:04:59
This spring, we were thrilled to celebrate the opening of the new Arvern East Nature Preserve And Welcome Center.
3:05:07
This incredible 35 acre nature preserve hosts 5 different maritime ecosystems and offers New Yorkers a new way to observe and appreciate these natural environments, including accessible connections to the Rockaway Beach Ian Boardwalk.
3:05:26
The new welcome center hosts a community meeting space, office space for our urban park rangers, crew headquarters for Parks maintenance staff and public restrooms.
3:05:36
This new facility is fossil free.
3:05:39
Heated and cooled by a closed loop geothermal system, while a rooftop solar array generates power to supply the building and eventually provide additional energy to other residents in the neighborhood.
3:05:54
The adjacent parking lot has been constructed with a permeable asphalt system and bio swales for storm water, representing our commitment to resiliency and sustainability in our new climate reality.
3:06:09
This formally vacant Derelict space that was an eyesore for decades is now educational, green, and resilient open space to be enjoyed by the entire Rockaway community.
3:06:23
Working with our sister agencies, we're also very excited to launch the mayor's office of Marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering to help keep the city's amazing waterfront safe and free from marine debris.
3:06:38
This new office will tacked our shoreline from floating risks and sunken hazards benefiting people, flora, and fauna that rely on our healthy and clean waterfronts.
3:06:51
To make sure our youngest neighbors get to enjoy summer to the fullest, we've been hard at work on reimagining and reviving various playgrounds across the 5 boroughs, recently reopening the playground and John J.
3:07:05
Cardi Park in Bay Ridge, and Rainbow Playground in Sunset Park after full redesigns and reconstruction as well as breaking ground on the reconstruction of Dangan playground in Staten Island.
3:07:20
These playground renovations represent 1,000,000 of dollars of investment for the communities that rely on these public spaces made possible with tremendous support from the city council.
3:07:31
Our agency's operations and citywide services staff are also making targeted repairs and improvements to other park facilities.
3:07:41
Such as installing diaper changing stations in more park restrooms so that families with young children have increased access to the amenities they need.
3:07:52
I'm pleased to report that in accordance with local law 56 of 2023, We've installed these new amenities in every park restroom where a changing station can feasibly be installed several years in advance of the deadline Of course, as the temperatures rise, we are gearing up for the opening of our public beaches this coming weekend.
3:08:16
We're fortunate that we've been able to open all our pools and beaches in recent summers unlike a lot of other cities across the country.
3:08:25
And we're committed to doing that again this summer despite a very challenging hiring environment.
3:08:32
As we have shared, with counsel previously.
3:08:36
We have worked tirelessly to find ways to recruit new potential lifeguards and encourage more lifeguards to return and help keep our beaches and pools safe for all New Yorkers to enjoy.
3:08:49
Though it's premature to spec stimulate about final staffing levels, we're extremely proud of our intense and focused effort to recruit and retain these vital members of the Park's team.
3:09:02
At the preliminary budget hearing, we spoke about our Let Screen NYC initiative, which in carriages New Yorkers to get out in their green spaces and help beautify them through service projects.
3:09:14
Today, we're thrilled to announce that we officially passed our previous record with over 500,000 New Yorkers participating since the initiative began in 2023.
3:09:27
It's so rewarding to see that New Yorkers feel as passionate passionate about our city's green spaces as we do.
3:09:35
And we look forward to encouraging even more volunteers to get out and get involved as the initiative continues.
3:09:42
Turning to the specific topic for this hearing, the fiscal year 2025 executive budget reflects the administration's ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility amid the ongoing economic and fiscal challenges facing the city, while maintaining critical services for all New Yorkers and investing in a greener, healthier city.
3:10:06
New York City Park's fiscal year 2025 executive operating budget is $582,900,000.
3:10:14
We're pleased to note that the agency did not have to implement an additional 5% reduction as had been originally envisioned.
3:10:22
The executive budget also reflects salary increases for our invaluable Parks employees, which were the result of the city's recent contract agreements with various unions negotiated through collective bargaining.
3:10:37
We know these are difficult economic times, and we're grateful to be able to support our critical existing staff so they can continue all the hard work they do every day.
3:10:48
In closing, I want to thank mayor Adams for granting me the incredible privilege of leading this agency and the opportunity to work with each of you to continue improving our parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers.
3:11:04
Many of you are already familiar with our experience responsive borrower commissioners and their district teams who work alongside our central agency division, staff, to deliver for New Yorkers every day.
3:11:18
We are always available to answer questions and address concerns from your offices and are happy to hear your thoughts on any topic, whether it regards a local park in your district or a city wide agency policy.
3:11:33
New York City Parks looks forward to continuing our close partnership with the council to create a bright green future with a more equitable inclusive and resilient park system.
3:11:45
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.