New Parks Department initiative seeks community input

The New York City Parks Department has launched a new $50 million design concept called Parks Without Borders (PWB) – to be applied to city parks capital projects to improve the areas where parks meet their neighborhoods – and has debuted a new community engagement section of its website to match.

Supported by $50 million in Mayoral OneNYC funding, the program (focused on improving entrances, edges, and park-adjacent space) will fund design reconstruction for eight parks across the five boroughs.

“Parks Without Borders will open parks to users, weave green space into neighborhoods and create a flowing, welcoming public realm,” said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver. “Thanks to Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC funding for this major placemaking initiative, we will positively transform New Yorkers’ experience of public space.”

“As Brooklyn’s connector-in-chief, I believe strongly in transforming our parks to be more open and connected with our communities, improving access to active and passive recreation space,” added Borough President Eric Adams. “I look forward to seeing Brooklynites engage with Parks Without Borders and its local feedback process, as well as continuing my work with Commissioner Silver to enhance the park experience in every corner of our borough.”

New Yorkers are invited, Silver said, to nominate any neighborhood park to receive PWB design suggestions through the newly launched survey-site – part of nyc.gov/parks. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2016, after which Parks will select the eight strongest candidates.