Brooklyn and Queens Residents Unite to Demand Increased Public Park Access in City Planning Meeting

Residents of Brooklyn Community District 5 and Queens Community District 3 engaged in a recent City Planning Commission meeting, focusing on plans to increase public park access in underserved areas. City officials emphasized their commitment to closing the existing “walk to a park gap,” which currently affects 16% of New York City residents, approximately 1.4 million people, who lack proximity to sufficient green spaces.

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) outlined its strategy for acquiring multiple privately-owned sites for future park developments. These sites, identified based on specific criteria, aim to enhance access to public parks, particularly in areas where the community lacks open space. In the meeting, DPR representatives indicated that their process includes community input meetings where local stakeholders can voice their priorities regarding park design and amenities. This collaborative approach suggests that the development of new parks will be directly influenced by community preferences, which could include active and passive recreational features.

To further facilitate accessibility, DPR noted that after a site acquisition, a detailed conceptual design will be created, taking into account input from community boards, elected officials, and the public. The agency is committed to promoting equitable access, especially in neighborhoods characterized by higher poverty rates and lower open space ratios. For instance, Brooklyn Community District 5 has seen a 15% population increase over two decades, yet nearly 28,000 residents still lack convenient access to parks. This demographic trend underscores the urgent need for additional recreational areas.

The timeline for park development will be influenced by an established acquisition authority, which allows DPR to expedite its efforts in securing sites before they become available for sale. DPR will assess the need for additional parks every 10 years, ensuring ongoing responsiveness to community demands. During the meeting, commissioners expressed concerns regarding the number of sites that would ultimately be developed into parks, emphasizing the importance of transparency in DPR’s planning process (Source: https://youtu.be/fSEvQnvCz_o&t=335).

Prior discussions have highlighted the intersection of park development and funding issues. In earlier coverage, residents voiced skepticism about the city’s ability to fulfill promises surrounding park space amid ongoing development pressures and existing environmental challenges. Many expressed a desire for genuine engagement in the planning processes to ensure that the needs of communities are prioritized over developer interests (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/04/30/community-voices-concerns-over-park-space-and-transparency-in-monitor-point-development/).

Overall, the recent meeting reinforced the city’s commitment to enhancing access to public parks in underserved neighborhoods while highlighting the role of community input in shaping future park spaces. With an emphasis on collaboration and adherence to community priorities, the City Planning Commission aims to remodel New York City’s green spaces to better serve all residents.