PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eric Narburgh, Member of Queens Community Board 2
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Eric Narburgh, a member of Queens Community Board 2, testifies in favor of retaining city-owned land as public green space in Council District 26. He emphasizes the district's lack of green space compared to citywide averages and highlights the importance of preserving green areas for environmental and community health.
- Narburgh cites concerns about stormwater flooding, poor air quality, and the impact on older adults in the district.
- He urges city agencies to work with non-profits and volunteers to preserve and maintain green spaces.
- The testimony emphasizes the need to consider the community's safety, well-being, and sustainability in land use decisions.
Eric Narburgh
0:34:50
Hi.
0:34:51
My name is Eric Narberg.
0:34:52
I've been a resident of Council District 26 for seventeen years.
0:34:56
Worked there for ten years, and I've been a member of the community board for three.
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I speak in favor of retaining the land under city control.
0:35:04
We're concerned about the lack of public green space in the district, which is vital for land and air quality.
0:35:10
The image at the beginning of the slides illustrated it, but for to add more detail, we are very short of green space in the district.
0:35:18
26% of it is mapped as green space compared to 40% citywide, and none of that is natural green space.
0:35:25
At a time when the neighborhood is in the process of rezoning and redevelopment, and as we continue to face the undeniable implications of climate change, I urge city agencies to preserve and steward green space, not relinquish it.
0:35:38
Work with non profits and volunteers in our community who are very interested in preserving green space in the district.
0:35:44
On C B 2, we regularly hear from our residents in Blissville who suffer from stormwater flooding and neglect in response to their concerns about safety.
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Data reflect that air quality is poor in the area due to heavy manufacturing and traffic emissions from the LIE and entrance to the Midtown Tunnel.
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Trees and greenery would mitigate that.
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And I volunteer with community house to check-in on older adults in the district, and I hear from them directly about how poor air conditions affect their mobility and quality of life.
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As we look to the future, we need to consider what is best for the safety and well-being of the community and the sustainability of our land.
0:36:18
The city should retain this green space and properly maintain it for the long term maximum benefit of the public.
0:36:24
Thank you.