Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sophie Stelboum, Program Coordinator at Trust for Public Land
1:23:46
·
124 sec
Sophie Stelboum from the Trust for Public Land testified in support of two bills introduced by Council Member Gail Brewer regarding access to athletic fields, playgrounds, and the installation of drinking fountains. She highlighted the Trust's work in converting asphalt lots into vibrant school community playgrounds and emphasized the importance of these spaces for community health and well-being.
- The Trust for Public Land has partnered with city agencies to convert over 230 asphalt lots into school community playgrounds since 1996.
- There is potential to open more than 300 additional sites to the public through baseline funding for custodial support, costing about $70,000 per year per site.
- Stelboum expressed strong support for Intros 566 and 643, which require DPR and DOE to create a plan to fund the opening of additional schoolyards for public use, prioritizing environmental justice areas.
Sophia Stelboum
1:23:46
Good afternoon chairs Brewer and Krishnan and members of the Parks Committee.
1:23:50
My name is Sophie Stelbaum, I'm a program coordinator at Trust for Public Land.
1:23:55
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of two bills introduced by council member Gail Brewer pertaining to access to athletic fields and playgrounds and the installation of drinking fountains near such facilities.
1:24:08
Since 1996, the Trust for Public Land has partnered with city agencies and many city council members to convert over 230 asphalt lots into vibrant school community playgrounds.
1:24:19
These sites feature shade trees, gardens, athletic courts, running tracks, outdoor classrooms and provide close to home places to gather, exercise, and play for students and neighbors alike.
1:24:31
Numerous studies show that access to outdoor play in nature relieves stress, increases physical activity, improves mental health, and decreases social isolation for both adults and youth.
1:24:42
These playgrounds depend on annual custodial funding to ensure they remain safe, clean, and accessible to the community outside of school hours.
1:24:50
While roughly 300 sites receive this essential funding for maintenance through Plan YC and annual city council allocation, there is potential to open more than 300 additional sites to the public through baseline funding for custodial support.
1:25:04
The division of school facilities allocates $70,000 per year to open a schoolyard to the public.
1:25:09
Adding 25 per year would cost the city a mere point $75,000,000 at today's prices, an easy cost effective way to increase play space within a walkable distance from home.
1:25:20
Trust for Public Land wholeheartedly supports intros five sixty six and six forty three requiring DPR and DOE to create a plan to fund the opening of additional schoolyards for public use each year prioritizing those in environmental justice areas.
1:25:35
Parks and playgrounds are more crucial than ever offering cost effective research based solutions to public health and loneliness.
1:25:43
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to address this committee this afternoon.
1:25:47
We greatly appreciate your attention to these important issues.
1:25:50
Thank you.
Shekar Krishnan
1:25:50
Thank you for your testimony.