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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Anaya Nicole Cameron, Fellow at The High Line
2:28:30
ยท
95 sec
Anaya Nicole Cameron, a high school student and fellow at The High Line, testifies about the importance of adequately funding parks in New York City. She emphasizes the cultural significance of parks and their positive impact on mental health and community well-being.
- Argues that parks are crucial for cultural cultivation and should be prioritized in the city budget
- Highlights the connection between park funding and the cleanliness and safety of these spaces
- Cites research showing the correlation between green spaces and improved mental health outcomes
Anaya Cameron
2:28:30
Hello, committee chair and members of the committee.
2:28:32
My name is Anaya Nicole Cameron.
2:28:34
I currently attend Bard High School Early College and I am also a fellow of the High Line.
2:28:39
I want to say thank you for the chair and the members of the committee for convening this hearing.
2:28:44
Parks have been the center of culture cultivation for years but for some reason we have we have continued to deprioritize parks in the city budget.
2:28:54
Each year we have the opportunity to create a new era for parks where they are well funded, cared for, and overall continue to serve as a backdrop for so many historical and cultural moments.
2:29:05
They are one of the most important common goods in our city and we should fund them as such.
2:29:10
During the summers, one could walk around and certainly find at least one picnic or barbecue happening inside of a park.
2:29:17
If it wasn't for the paid safety workers keeping the trouble away and the paid workers keeping it clean, these moments of peace and happiness would not have been able to occur.
2:29:27
A cut in the budget of parks is a cut in the cleanliness and safety in parks.
2:29:32
This would eventually lead to the diminishment of New York City's culture.
2:29:37
As the years go by, we have seen an increase in the conversations surrounding mental health and climate change and I believe that the attention towards green spaces should follow.
2:29:47
According to the National Library Medicine, there has been a direct correlation between green spaces in neighborhoods and the decrease of an individual's mental distress, anxiety, and more.
2:29:57
Therefore, I urge you to increase the budget of parks with the mental health and safety of your New Yorkers in mind.
2:30:04
Thank you for your time.