Kelley Pierre
1:55:19
So representatives of the council have come before you today in support of council of City Council introduction 643Dash2024 and increase in access to recreational parks.
1:55:33
I am a resident of East New York and in the district of council member Chris Banks who is listed as one of the sponsors this bill.
1:55:41
As an active community board member, community activist, and founder of my business All Access Golf, I understand the need for sports and recreation access for all.
1:55:52
You may be asking, Kelly, don't you do golf?
1:55:55
I do golf, but where some see a basketball court, I see a golf course.
1:55:59
You see golf isn't just a game you play, it's also a state of being, a getaway, a place to be able to play and enter into a flow state of mind.
1:56:07
A key factor of getting into a flow state is environment and by making basketball courts accessible you are now creating an environment to be able to enter into a flow state which can help enhance the mental health of residents of New York City.
1:56:22
As a New York City Golfer, know how hard it is to find places to play or practice.
1:56:28
This can be even more difficult when you don't have a car.
1:56:31
For the past two years, All Access Golf has held free community golf clinics called Look at the Birds in partnership with the Canarsie Merchant Association that has worked to make golf accessible within the community.
1:56:44
We also held a family fun golf day at a local community garden which had over 600 registrants.
1:56:52
With these proven events, I would be be denied a permit for a park, but what has not been explored is using plastic clubs that would not form divots.
1:57:02
Why am I telling you this?
1:57:03
It's because the bill has components that can be identified from my golfing experience.
1:57:09
Number one, how the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Education will facilitate the use of indoor basketball courts and gyms that are maintained and operated by the city.
1:57:22
According to the National Golf Foundation, there has been a 55% increase in the pool of potential golfers since 2019, which is attributed to the growth and popularity of off course golf.
1:57:36
A basketball court would be listed as a off course off course golf.
1:57:44
Two, how the Department of Parks and Recreation will coordinate with other relevant agencies to facilitate the use of indoor basketball courts and gyms.
1:57:54
In order to play golf in New York City, you would have to find your nearest golf course.
1:57:59
There are 13 public golf courses across New York City which isn't accessible to all New Yorkers.
1:58:06
This bill can help make golf program accessible to all.
1:58:10
With that said, a budget would be needed in order to create a seamless pipeline to extract the hidden value that this bill intends to bring out.
1:58:19
Since my time is running out, this would be a perfect conversation to have on a golf course on what the infrastructure can look like.
