Hankerson on historic $29.1 million parks funding baseline
Council Member Hankerson celebrates the historic $29.1 million baseline for parks, ending the annual budget dance for GreenThumb, tree stump removal, urban park rangers, recreation staff, and PEP officers. He thanks Speaker Menin and pledges to continue fighting for 1% parks funding.
Thank you, Majority Leader.
Today is a proud day for our parks, our communities, and every parkie and park abbot.
who keeps the city thriving.
In this budget, we restored and secured additional funding for green thumb, tree stump removal, tree planting, urban park rangers, recreation staff, and our beloved PEP officers.
These are not just line items.
These are the people who open our parks, care for our trees, keep our recreation centers active,
support our gardens, protect our public spaces, and make sure New Yorkers can use the parks they love.
For the past few years, after every budget dance, the council, parks, and advocates have had to leave saying, we secured the jobs for another year, take a rest, and get ready to do it all over again.
But not this year.
This year, we are proud to have accomplished a historic budget resulting in a $29.1 million baseline, which is so much greater than breathing a temporary sigh of relief.
Together, as a city, we are building a stronger foundation.
So to every Parkie who has ever questioned whether your city cares for you,
Let this be the marker that demonstrates that we understand you are valuable.
Your work is seen, your labor is appreciated, and that your city deems you as essential.
I want to thank Speaker Menon, my colleagues in the administration for their outstanding commitment to our parkies and the communities they serve.
This is a major step, but we are not done.
We will not let up until we get to the 1%.
Thank you.