Chances are if you live in New York, you live near at least one park—there are 1,800 across the five boroughs. And chances are your neighborhood park has free programming brought to you by the City Parks Foundation (CPF). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the non-profit. Since its founding, CPF has been a vital presence in 750 parks throughout the city. The Foundation’s programming reaches 600,000 people each year; it sponsors events in roughly 60 parks every day.
“A healthy park is well used by the community,” says David Rivel, CPF’s executive director. “Parks fail because they’re empty—people are afraid to go in, or there are illicit activities going on.” The Foundation’s dual mission is to make parks healthier and improve lives with high-quality, community-building programs.
Rivel stresses the importance of these programs for many of the city’s families. “Wealthy families can give their children the opportunity for extracurricular activities, but low- and moderate-income families may not be able to do that,” he says. “Without these free programs, some kids wouldn’t have access to cultural enrichment, especially in the current economy.”
CPF’s arts program sponsors 1,200 free performances per year, ranging from dance and music to storytelling and puppetry. Through the Foundation’s sports program, kids receive professional instruction in golf, track and field, and tennis. CPF’s educational programs are created and operated in conjunction with local schools, and include classes in a variety of topics, such as local ecology and filmmaking.
CPF also runs the Partnerships for Parks program, which sponsors events like “It’s My Park Day,” when New Yorkers volunteer to paint benches, plant trees, and clean up litter. The Foundation also helps locals create “Friends of the Park” groups that raise money and design programs to achieve their vision for the park. “All of our programs are done with active community support,” Rivel says.
5 “Hidden Jewel” Parks
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan: This Harlem park boasts Mt. Morris, a natural mountain with a staircase leading to the top and a fireman’s watchtower.
St. Mary’s Park, The Bronx: This South Bronx park has great topography, with a flat space near the street grid and a hill that leads to a stage that showcases plenty of family programming.
Queensbridge Park, Queens: Located under the Queensborough Bridge, this recently renovated park already has a strong community presence. The Foundation is currently working to improve its waterfront access.
Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn: Along the water overlooking Coney Island Creek, this park has lain fallow for decades, but the City Parks Foundation has plans to refurbish it and open it up to the community.
Tappen Park, Staten Island: On the north shore near the Staten Island ferry, this recently renovated park and its surrounding shops create a “town square feel.”
Visit nycgovparks.org for more info.
