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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Avery Wallace, Representative of NYCH2O
1:32:04
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124 sec
Avery Wallace, representing NYCH2O, testified in support of Intro 573 and Intro 566, which aim to increase drinking fountains in public parks and expand access to school playgrounds. NYCH2O's mission focuses on educating New Yorkers about local water ecology and promoting water resilience.
- NYCH2O led 254 field trips for over 7,000 NYC students in 2024, primarily from Title I and Title III schools.
- The organization emphasizes the importance of safe and equitable access to recreational spaces for all New Yorkers, especially youth.
- Wallace highlighted how the proposed bills would promote physical activity, enhance public health, and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
Avery Wallace
1:32:04
Thank you Chair Krishnan and members of the New York City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation for convening this hearing and providing the opportunity to testify in support of two important bills that would expand recreational access to athletic fields and playgrounds.
1:32:22
My name is Avery Wallace and I am here on behalf of NYCH two O.
1:32:26
NYCH two o's mission is to inspire and educate New Yorkers of all ages to learn about, enjoy, and protect their city's local water ecology.
1:32:35
Through our educational programs, we foster science based understanding of New York's ecosystems and promote the city's long term water resilience in a time of escalating climate change impacts.
1:32:48
In 2024 alone, we led 254 field trips at 144 schools, bringing over 7,000 New York City students, primarily from title one and title three schools, to experience parks, wetlands, beaches, reservoirs, and natural areas across the city.
1:33:06
These students, many of whom have minimal access to green spaces or STEM education benefit immensely from time spent outdoors.
1:33:14
Our work underscores how essential it is that all New Yorkers, especially youth, have safe, welcoming, and equitable access to recreational spaces.
1:33:22
For this reason, we support both Intro five seventy three, which would increase the number of drinking fountains in public parks, and Intro five sixty six, which would expand after school and weekend access to school playgrounds.
1:33:34
These common sense improvements would promote physical activity, enhance public health, and foster deep connections between New Yorkers and their local environments.
1:33:43
Intro five seventy three would also reduce reliance on single use plastics, advancing the city's zero waste goals and reinforcing New York City's leadership in sustainability.
1:33:54
Thank you for your consideration of NYC h two o's testimony.
1:33:58
We look forward to continued partnership with the council, the parks department, and the fellow community organizations to ensure every New Yorker can access clean drinking water and vibrant public green spaces.