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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tamar Renaud, New York State Director of Trust for Public Land, on the importance of parks and funding for New York City's park system
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Tamar Renaud, representing the Trust for Public Land, testified on the critical importance of parks in New York City, highlighting their economic and health benefits while emphasizing the need for increased funding and staffing. She discussed the organization's work in transforming playgrounds and developing the Queensway project, urging the city to restore budget cuts and fully fund the parks system.
- Renaud cited a 2022 report showing that NYC parks saved $1 billion in healthcare costs and $2 billion in stormwater management.
- The Trust for Public Land has transformed over 230 playgrounds in all five boroughs, but funding is still needed to keep 45 of the newest playgrounds open to the community.
- New York City's national park ranking has dropped from 7th to 12th out of 100 cities due to underfunding and understaffing.
Tamar Renaud
2:38:44
chairperson chairperson Krishnan and members of the committee.
2:38:50
I'm Tamara Renaud, the New York state director of Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors.
2:39:02
Parks, as you have heard many times today, make cities healthier, more livable, less lonely, and economically stronger.
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Our 2022 report found New York City parks saved the city $1,000,000,000 in health care costs and 2,000,000,000 in storm water management while significantly boosting tax revenue.
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And as you have heard, they should be employing 700 more staff, if only the city invested properly.
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In partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection and many of you council members, The Trust Republic land has transformed over 230 playgrounds in all five boroughs.
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Once barren asphalt, now vibrant green, shade producing, and storm absorbing.
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These spaces are open to the community members after school hours and on the weekends.
2:40:03
Please note that we still need funding to keep those 45 of the newest playgrounds open to the community.
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We're also working with EDC and New York City Parks to convert a three and a half mile abandoned rail known as the Queensway, a much needed park and trail connecting six communities in Queens.
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Despite the clear benefits of parks, New York City's park system remains underfunded and understaffed with thousands fewer workers than decades ago.
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As a result, New York's national parks sorry.
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New York's national park ranking, called the park score, has dropped from seventh.
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New York City has dropped from seventh out of a hundred to twelfth last year, while other cities continue to invest more in their parks.
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As part of the Playfair coalition, we urge the city to restore those budget cuts and fully fund our parks.
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Thank you.