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Council Member Brannan introduces Parks Department budget hearing
2:47:09
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139 sec
Council Member Justin Brannan, chair of the finance committee, introduces the Parks Department portion of the FY 2026 executive budget hearing. He outlines the proposed budget, highlights concerns about understaffing, and emphasizes the importance of parks as public spaces.
- The proposed FY 2026 Parks Department budget is $667.3 million, an 8.2% increase from the preliminary plan.
- Brannan notes there are 330 vacancies in the department and pushes for $32.5 million to restore critical positions.
- He stresses that parks are "the great equalizer" and every New Yorker deserves access to well-maintained green spaces.
Justin Brannan
2:47:09
Welcome back.
2:47:10
We are now turning to the Parks Department, Department of Parks and Recreation, an agency that keeps New York City green, active, and connected.
2:47:19
I'm Councilmember Justin Brannen.
2:47:20
I chair the council's finance committee.
2:47:22
I'm joined by Councilmember Sheikhar Krishnan, chair of the committee on Parks and Recreation.
2:47:27
We've been joined by Councilmembers Brewer, Carr, Salam, Ung, and Lewis.
2:47:35
And welcome Commissioner Danio.
2:47:37
It's good to see you.
2:47:39
We're glad to have you here.
2:47:40
The proposed FY twenty six Parks Department budget is $667,300,000 which is an increase of $50,600,000 or 8.2% over the preliminary plan that came out back in January.
2:47:55
That includes more support for swim safety and second shift cleanups at high use parks.
2:48:02
But for a department responsible for 30,000 acres of land, 1,000 playgrounds, and 800 athletic fields, the council knows that that number is still far too small.
2:48:13
Parks department represents under half a percent of the total executive budget.
2:48:19
And there are nearly three thirty vacancies, something that we will be certainly asking OMB about in a couple of weeks.
2:48:26
That's hundreds of workers that are not out there maintaining our parks, enforcing our rules, planting trees, and keeping things safe and clean.
2:48:33
And the council wants to fix that.
2:48:35
In our preliminary budget response, the council pushed for $32,500,000 to restore these critical positions.
2:48:42
Gardeners, pruners, park workers, and enforcement officers.
2:48:46
Because while everything else in this city keeps getting more expensive, a day in the park, last I checked, is still free and that matters.
2:48:53
Parks are truly the great equalizer.
2:48:55
Every New Yorker, no matter what their zip code, deserves access to green space that's safe, clean and looked after.
2:49:03
So today I'll be focusing on the PEG restorations, capital needs, and making sure the park's budget reflects how much New Yorkers truly rely on these spaces.
2:49:13
I was out last weekend in a couple of parks and they were just absolutely bursting with people, a testament to just how important our open green spaces are.
2:49:23
But in the interest of time, I'm going to turn it over to my co chair, Councilmember Krishnan, for his opening statement and we'll get going.