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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kit Greenberg, Senior Coach at Wellness in the Schools
1:44:45
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162 sec
Kit Greenberg, representing Wellness in the Schools, testified in strong support of Council Member Gail Brewer's proposed bills Intro 573-2024 and Intro 566-2024. These bills aim to increase drinking fountains near parks and expand public access to school playgrounds, particularly in environmental justice communities.
- Intro 573-2024 is seen as a matter of health equity, providing clean public water in under-resourced neighborhoods and supporting children's physical activity.
- Intro 566-2024 aligns with their mission by expanding access to safe outdoor play spaces, especially in communities of color and low-income areas.
- Greenberg emphasized that these bills reflect a commitment to children's health and creating a more equitable urban environment.
Kit Greenberg
1:44:45
Good afternoon council chair Krishnan and esteemed members of the committee on the parks and recreation.
1:44:50
My name is Kit Greenberg and I'm the senior coach with wellness in the schools, a national nonprofit committed to creating healthier environments for children to learn, live, and thrive.
1:45:00
I'm honored to testify in strong support of council member Gail Brewer's proposed bills o five seventy three and o five sixty six.
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Every day in my role, I work with students across New York City public schools to promote wellness through nutrition, fitness, and healthy habits.
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These bills represent essential steps forward in ensuring that all children regardless of zip code have equitable access to resources that support their health and development.
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O five seven three, which would increase the number of drinking fountains adjacent to parks and green streets, is more than a matter of convenience.
1:45:33
It's a matter of health equity.
1:45:35
Too often the students and families we serve in under resourced neighborhoods lack access to clean public water when they're outside enjoying green spaces.
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This bill affirms a basic truth that hydration is a human right and that free accessible water must be available in every corner of our city, not just in well funded districts.
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The increased availability of drinking fountains supports children's physical activity and reduces the reliance on sugary beverages, a key contributor to childhood obesity and preventable illness.
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O five sixty six would create an annual plan to expand public access to school playgrounds with a focus on environmental justice communities.
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This cannot be a more aligned with our mission.
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Safe outdoor play is foundational to a child's physical and emotional well-being and yet for many families especially in communities of color and low income areas, access to green and recreational space remains limited after school hours and on weekends.
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By prioritizing the opening of at least 25 schoolyards each year in these areas, the city would take a powerful step toward reclaiming school playgrounds as true community spaces where children can run, play, build social emotional skills, and simply be kids.
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We at Wellness in the Schools believe that wellness must be integrated into the very fabric of child of children's daily lives.
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That means that clean water to drink when they're in the park, that means safe places to play when their their school day ends, and that means recognizing that public resources should serve public needs equitably and consistently.
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Councilmember Brewer's proposals reflect a deep understanding of these needs and commitment to health of our children, families, and communities.
1:47:17
I urge this committee to advance both these bills and help New York City lead the way in creating a healthier, more equitable urban environment.
1:47:23
Thank you for your leadership and opportunity to testify today.