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TESTIMONY

Tamar Renaud, New York State Director of Trust for Public Land, on the Importance of Parks and Equitable Access to Outdoor Spaces

6:10:43

·

152 sec

Renaud emphasizes the mental, physical, and community benefits of parks and green spaces, as well as their role in climate resilience. She presents data showing the economic value parks provide New York City through healthcare savings, stormwater management, recreational use, and increased property tax revenue. Renaud urges the city to restore proposed budget cuts and fully fund the parks system to maintain a world-class system by allocating 1% of the budget.

Trust for Public Land works to create parks and protect land for equitable outdoor access
Parks provide mental/physical health benefits and resilience against flooding/heat
NYC parks see 527 million visits annually, providing over $11 billion in value
Nearby parks increase property tax revenue by over $100 million
Renaud argues for reversing FY2025 park budget cuts to fund a world-class system

Tamar Renaud

6:10:43

Thank you to persons, Christian, and Brennan, and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify.

6:10:50

My name is Tamara Renone.

6:10:52

I'm the new New York State Director for Trust for Publicland, a national nonprofit organization that works to connect to everyone to the benefits and choice of the outdoors.

6:11:05

As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, we work with communities to create parks and protect land where they are needed most.

6:11:13

Based on peer reviewed research, we know that time spent out doors contributes to our mental and physical health.

6:11:21

That green spaces make communities more resilient to flooding.

6:11:25

Severe heat and the effects of climate crisis, and that shared public outdoor spaces contribute to social cohesion within communities.

6:11:36

Hearing a woodpecker or touching an earthworm can create that feeling of excitement and awe so important to us city residents.

6:11:45

Since 1978, the Trust Republican has worked to improve New York City Neighborhoods by creating playgrounds, trails, and park spaces.

6:11:55

And parks also help save money and make money for the city.

6:12:00

Last year or in 2022, the Trust for Public Landers released a report the economic benefits of parks in New York City.

6:12:09

Based on original research, we found that residents visit city parks at least 527 million times ever every year and received 1,000,000,000 of dollars in benefits.

6:12:23

Over 1,000,000,000 in healthcare cost savings, 2,000,000,000 in storm water management, and over 9,000,000,000 in recreational value.

6:12:33

New Yorkers want to live near parks contributing to at least $101,000,000 in annual property tax revenues for homes within 500 feet of parks.

6:12:48

I can just finish my last paragraph.

6:12:51

As a member of the fair as the play fair for Parks Coalition, We are here to strongly urge the city to restore cuts proposed in the fiscal year 2025 budget and fully fund the Park System New York City is a world class city.

6:13:08

It deserves a world class park system.

6:13:11

We can't have that without 1% for parks.

6:13:14

Thank you.

← Previous Chapter

Adam Ganser, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks on the Need for Increased Funding for New York City Parks

Next Chapter →

Alia Soomro, Deputy Director for New York City Policy at the New York League of Conservation Voters, on Restoring NYC Parks Budget Cuts and Equitable Access to Green Spaces

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