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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bismarck Genny, Fellow from The High Line on Parks and Community Well-being
2:25:56
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Bismarck Genny, a fellow from The High Line and a high school student, testifies about the importance of parks in addressing loneliness and improving community well-being. He cites recent studies on loneliness as a public health crisis and argues that investing in parks is crucial for mental health and connection in cities.
- Genny references a 2023 US Surgeon General declaration of loneliness as a public health crisis and a 2024 Harvard survey on loneliness rates among different age groups.
- He highlights that 73% of people blame technology for loneliness, while 66% cite lack of time with family.
- Genny argues that parks are essential for mental health and community connection, with 75% of Americans wanting more accessible green spaces and community events.
Bismarck Genny
2:25:56
Oh my bad.
2:25:57
Sorry.
2:25:58
I'll restart.
2:25:59
Good afternoon chairs of the committee.
2:26:01
My name is Bismark Genny and I'm representing myself as part of the Highline Fellows program.
2:26:05
I go to Quest to Learn High School and I live in Manhattan in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood.
2:26:09
I know there's a lot of going on in our city, before our city to function well, we needed to fund it holistically.
2:26:14
In 02/2023, the US Surgeon General declared loneliness as a public health crisis.
2:26:20
Then in 02/2024, a Harvard survey found that twenty one percent of adults experience loneliness, twenty four percent among eighteen to twenty nine year olds, and twenty nine percent of those thirty to forty four as the loneliest group.
2:26:33
Some of the leading causes show huge numbers of involvement with 73% blaming technology and sixty six percent blaming that they have lack time with their family.
2:26:43
The need for connection is clear and the solution I believe is parks.
2:26:46
Three quarters of Americans want more accessible green spaces and community events to bring people together for their families and friends.
2:26:53
Providing that investing in our parks means investing in our community's well-being which invested in our city as well.
2:26:59
Parks aren't just scenery, they're essential for mental health and connection, and investing in them is investing in our city's well-being.
2:27:05
Thank you.