Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Discussion of Intro 566-2024 on expanding public access to school playgrounds
0:29:56
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78 sec
Intro 566-2024 would require NYC Parks, in consultation with NYC Schools, to submit an annual plan to expand public access to school playgrounds, prioritizing properties in environmental justice areas. While NYC Parks is supportive of expanding access, there are important considerations and limitations.
- Opening schoolyards to the public outside school hours has been successful in increasing access to open space
- The initiative aligns with the city's goal of having 85% of New Yorkers within walking distance of a park or open space by 2030
- NYC Schools retains ultimate authority on when and where to open properties to the public
- Opened schoolyards remain under the care and management of NYC Schools
Margaret Nelson
0:29:56
Turning to the legislation being heard today, Intro May would require NYC Parks in consultation with NYC Schools to submit an annual plan to expand public access to school playgrounds prioritizing properties that are located in environmental justice areas.
0:30:14
Opening schoolyards to the public outside of school hours has served as an excellent way to increase New Yorkers access to green and open space for decades.
0:30:23
We are thankful to our sister agency colleagues at NYC Schools for their partnership and we are proud to work closely with them to identify potential schoolyard access opportunities that can help achieve the city's goal of having 85% of New Yorkers living within walking distance to a park or open space by 02/1930 as established by one NYC strategic plan in 02/2015.
0:30:49
Though New York City Parks is broadly supportive of expanding public access to schoolyards outside of school hours, it is important to keep in mind that NYC Schools retains the ultimate authority to determine when and where it is appropriate to open given property to the general public.
0:31:06
Further, when broader access to schoolyards is facilitated, those spaces remain under the care and management of NYC schools.