Q&A
Addressing limited parks and open space in the rezoning area
1:43:07
·
153 sec
Council Member Marmorato raises concerns about the impact of rezoning on already limited parks and open space. She inquires about plans for improvements and funding for specific parks in her district. Parks Department representatives discuss their approach to addressing these issues.
- Acknowledgment of open space impacts disclosed in the environmental review
- Collaboration on making private open spaces more inviting and connected
- Discussion on needed improvements for multiple parks in the district, including Loreto Park, Brady Park, Buffano Park, Pelham Bay Park, Wolffields, and Molnar Park
- Estimated cost of $34 million for total upgrades to these parks (excluding Van Ness Park)
- Parks Department unable to commit to full funding but open to further discussions on prioritization
- Discussion on potentially increasing trash pickup services in parks due to increased usage
Kristy Marmorato
1:43:07
Alright.
1:43:08
Parks.
1:43:09
Hi.
1:43:10
Alright.
1:43:11
1 of the main concerns I've had from my constituents in this rezoning impact on our already limited parks and open space.
1:43:19
The concern is further highlighted by the final environmental impact statement, which finds that the proposed actions would result in adverse significant impact in total passive and active open space in the residential study area.
1:43:33
How does the administration plan to address this glaring issue?
Nick Molinari
1:43:38
Thank you for the question, Council Amber.
1:43:40
We're aware of the open space impacts disclosed in the environmental review.
1:43:44
And are working in collaboration.
1:43:46
As I mentioned, we have been part of Parcel to the conversations related to the open space as you discussed.
1:43:51
At the private site in terms of making those more inviting, larger, and connected.
1:43:58
We're also looking forward to having further conversations about improvements of existing parks
Kristy Marmorato
1:44:02
Okay.
1:44:02
And given there's so little public land for a new park, significant upgrades are needed at multiple parks.
1:44:09
In my district, including Loreto Park, Brady Park, Buffano Park, Pelham Bay Park, Wolffields, and Molnir in Van Ness.
1:44:19
Molnar, I think, is right outside of Baker Avenue site.
1:44:23
Can you please detail the improvements needed for each of these parks and can you kind of give an estimate cost for these improvements at each of these parks?
Nick Molinari
1:44:32
Thank you.
1:44:32
It helps me.
1:44:33
So I have the list that you just gave me.
1:44:35
I will look into it.
1:44:36
I know we have further conversations pending about open space impacts and the conversation, I believe, on Friday.
1:44:42
So we look forward to having those conversation.
Kristy Marmorato
1:44:44
Okay.
1:44:44
Without the Van Ness Park, I think it was about 34, 000, 000 for a total upgrade for all of those parks.
1:44:56
And will the administration commit to fully funding?
1:45:00
And performing the the needed investments to the parks just discussed.
Nick Molinari
1:45:06
We're looking forward to having further conversations.
1:45:08
At this point, we don't have the investment for those sites, but we're looking forward to having those conversations to see how we can prioritize amongst lots of needs.
Kristy Marmorato
1:45:17
Okay.
1:45:18
And we'll will the parks department actually increase the trash pickup services within each of these parks now that there's an increase?
1:45:26
Hello.
1:45:26
Residence.
Nick Molinari
1:45:26
Thank you.
1:45:27
Again, council member, our expense impacts are important.
1:45:31
Luckily, we did just get 2nd shift staffing restored to help with some of those impacts across the city, but we'll take that back and look at those sites and the impacts.