Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dejon Williams, President of Local 299, on Parks Department Staffing and Recreation Centers
4:51:38
·
88 sec
Dejon Williams, president of Local 299 representing recreation workers, testified about staffing shortages, program cuts, and facility closures in the NYC Parks Department. He highlighted concerns about recreation center closures and the impact on community access to indoor pools.
- Seven recreation centers are currently closed, including two with the only indoor pools above 96th Street
- Approximately 300 seasonal summer program workers face uncertainty due to budget constraints
- Local 299 members, who care for children, adults, and seniors, are largely affected by one-time financial job allocations
Dejon Williams
4:51:38
Good afternoon.
4:51:38
My name is Dejon Williams, president of Local two ninety nine representing recreation workers.
4:51:44
My members include individuals who care for the children of the city, some, adults and also seniors.
4:51:54
We create programs and provide activities for various individuals.
4:51:59
Shortages in staff programming and facility hours are some of the main concerns with the the funding cuts.
4:52:08
There are currently seven recreation centers closed.
4:52:11
Two of those recreation centers are the only indoor pools above 90 Sixth Street for the parks department which limits which eliminates, excuse me, the the activity of swimming above 96 without traveling more than a mile and a half for the next local indoor recreation center pool.
4:52:36
My members are largely a part of the individuals who are one shot financial jobs.
4:52:45
They are summer program workers and their jobs are not confirmed until the budget is confirmed.
4:52:51
So we have approximately 300 staffers seasonally in the summer who have to await possibly working and getting rehired due to the financial crisis.
4:53:04
Thank you.