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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Evander Thomas Chet, Civic Engagement Fellow at The High Line
2:31:42
ยท
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Evander Thomas Chet, a Civic Engagement Fellow at The High Line, testified about the insufficient funding for New York City parks. He emphasized the importance of parks for community well-being and urged for budget restoration to improve their services.
- Recent budget cuts, especially during COVID, have left parks underfunded despite allocations for 2026.
- Parks contribute to mental and physical health, provide jobs, and increase tourism when properly funded.
- Without adequate funding, parks deteriorate, limiting their ability to maintain facilities, create jobs, and attract visitors.
Evander Thomas Chet
2:31:42
Good afternoon, committee chairs.
2:31:44
I'm Evander Tomashite.
2:31:45
I'm a civic engagement fellow at the High Line.
2:31:48
Recent budget cuts to the city's parks have left them woefully underfunded.
2:31:52
Although more funding will be allocated to the parks for twenty twenty six, years of budget cuts, especially ones made during COVID, make this additional funding insufficient.
2:32:00
With sufficient funding, parks contribute invaluable to their communities.
2:32:04
They improve the mental and physical health of people living near them, provide jobs to people all over the city, and increase tourism.
2:32:12
Without funding, parks deteriorate and stop providing the same utility.
2:32:16
They cannot afford to fix the cracks in the pavement to discourage runners, or hire employees and create jobs, or maintain the attractive parks that draw on tourists and are pleasant places for New Yorkers to spend their time.
2:32:28
If you were to restore the park's budget, they would be able to provide all these services and more to our communities.
2:32:33
Thank you for your time.