New York City may be densely populated and developed–there’s a reason we call it the Concrete Jungle–but it’s also home to a ton of leftover land sitting unused. In fact, some estimates say there are over 10,000 to 40,000 plots of land sitting vacant throughout NYC. Well, Mayor Eric Adams wants to change this and breathe new life into these spaces.
To kick off “We Outside Summer,” a new initiative to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer, Adams, along with NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, recently unveiled a new plan to transform vacant, abandoned lots across NYC into greenspace. Adams stated:
As we kick off the ‘We Outside Summer,’ we know New Yorkers across the five boroughs are looking for more places to enjoy the warmer weather with friends and loved ones…[A]s summer arrives, we’re working hard to deliver green spaces to the areas most in need across the five boroughs.
As part of the $3.2 billion “Vital Parks for All” initiative, Adams proposed setting aside $30 million to transform vacant, underutilized, and abandoned lots into parkland, playgrounds, and open greenspace in neighborhoods that do not currently have access to such space.
The proposal would also allow for city-owned vacant land to be turned over to the Parks Department to then be converted into these public green spaces, as well as fast-track the process of purchasing vacant land by allowing for multiple locations in a neighborhood to be reviewed in one application.
NYC Parks already identified 19 community districts that are underserved by the existing parks network, and they’ve begun submitting Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) applications in each district, each of which covers a number of small sites in the area. Some applications will be turned down, but those that are successful will make it possible for NYC Parks to purchase the property.
Earlier this month, the city submitted applications for 44 sites in Brooklyn and Queens–Brooklyn Community District 5 (East New York and Cypress Hills) and Queens Community District 3 (Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and Corona)–that could eventually be turned into parks.
NYC Parks collaborated with the Departments of City Planning and Housing Preservation and Development to identify which areas are best suited for greenspace based on a number of factors, including size and location.
NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue stated:
Access to high-quality parks is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the health and wellness of our communities. Expanding our green spaces is just one of the ways we’re making New York City the best place to raise a family. We’re committed to supporting creative efforts to add more open space in the city so that every New Yorker — regardless of your zip code — has room to play, grow, and gather outside.
Since taking office, the Adams administration has already committed a total of $80 million to expand New Yorkers’ access to the citywide greenspace network, with $50 million already being spent to acquire new parkland in all five boroughs, accounting for 86+ acres of parkland and bringing greenspace within a 10-minute walk to 37,000 New Yorkers.
Watch a video of the announcement below:
