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New York City Council
Oversight - An Overview of the Parks Department’s Events Permitting Process
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff welcomes attendees, asks phones to be silenced, explains appearance cards, and states that no one should approach the chair. Chair Hankerson is then recognized.
Hankerson identifies himself as chair and says the hearing will examine how Parks decides which events occur in city parks and the resulting costs and benefits. He notes cultural and recreational programming is core to the park system.
He says most events are free and run by Parks or public-private partners, while some are pay events with thousands of participants run by promoters holding permits. This creates a multifaceted approval process.
He details that events over 20 people require a $25 special event permit; larger or commercial events trigger concession fees, insurance, bonding, and permits from DOB or NYPD. Food or merchandise sales require a TUA permit negotiated with Parks.
He says applicants, especially small community groups, struggle to understand requirements and denial reasons, and large events have raised concerns about parkland use, revenue, and damage. He hopes the hearing clarifies costs, benefits, and process improvements.
Hankerson notes the committee will also consider Intro 927, sponsored by Councilmembers Brooks-Powers and Shulman, to rename Shorefront Parkway between Beach 32nd Street and Beach 56th Place as Edgemere Avenue. He says it restores the historical name and reduces mail-delivery confusion.
Hankerson reads a statement from Councilmember Brooks-Powers explaining that USPS, Google Maps, and emergency responders do not consistently recognize Shorefront Parkway. Restoring Edgemere Avenue would improve addressing and support the future Arverne East development. Hankerson then prepares to swear in the administration.
Chair Hankerson says the committee wants to swear in the administration before testimony. Council staff asks Parks Department representatives to raise their right hands and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
David Cerrone identifies himself as Deputy Commissioner for Activation, Environment, and Planning at NYC Parks. He is joined by Anne McTiernan, Director of Citywide Special Event Permits and Policy, and Gabriella Capo from legislative affairs.
Cerrone says summer 2026 was exceptionally busy with FIFA World Cup and Sail4th 250 celebrations, plus picnics, concerts, and festivals. He argues special events activate parks and bring New Yorkers outdoors.
Cerrone explains events with more than 20 attendees need a special event permit, though permits are available for any size. He says most requests are small family events, applications are online, and the $25 fee is usually the only cost.
Cerrone says permit requests are processed in borough offices with 21 days' advance notice, but review time varies by complexity and volume. Final approvals often come closer to the event date, and amplified sound requires NYPD approval.
Cerrone says outright denials are less than 1% of permits and Parks almost always works with applicants on alternative dates or locations. Most permits are for small picnics, barbecues, and birthday parties.
Cerrone says events over 500 attendees go through the citywide special events team and require a site map, production schedule, liability insurance, security bond, and site fee. They may also need FDNY, DOB, NYPD, or DOHMH permits.
Cerrone says Parks tries to accommodate applicants but cannot approve events that harm parkland or significantly interfere with other users. Denials are relatively rare and based on location, size, configuration, or natural features.
Cerrone says Parks held nine partner forums in early 2025 with over 140 groups, redesigned the special events webpage, created a guide, and centralized policy offices. Parks is also preparing a multilingual informational handout.
Cerrone says Parks wants robust park activity but must protect shared spaces and ensure fair access. He thanks the committee and offers to answer questions.
Hankerson acknowledges Councilmember Frank Morano and Councilmember Ung on Zoom. He notes only two members are present, says he loves parks, and will ask several questions before turning to Morano.
Hankerson asks whether it is problematic that final permit approvals are typically issued close to the event date. Cerrone acknowledges the concern, cites over 24,000 permit applications last year, and says Parks extended the application window to the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Hankerson asks how a small community group with limited resources can plan when it may be denied days before its event. Cerrone cites denial rates from 2022-2025, all under 1%, and says Parks' directive is to find a pathway to yes.
Hankerson asks whether Parks can provide denial data by borough. Cerrone says yes and gives an example of denying a polo match with horses on the Great Lawn because it was inappropriate for the landscape.
Hankerson confirms staffing counts: Staten Island 3, Queens 6, Manhattan 8, Brooklyn 5, Bronx 8. Cerrone says Brooklyn may be lower due to retirements and a staffing transition, and will follow up with precise numbers.
Hankerson asks whether permit-office staff receive cultural training. Cerrone says all new Parks employees get two days of orientation including sensitivity and cultural training, and the citywide special events team will retrain after parade and marathon season.
Hankerson asks if the committee can sit in on a training. Cerrone is open, and Gabriella Capo says she will check with the Parks Academy and follow up.
Hankerson asks Anne McTiernan what Parks asks elected officials hosting back-to-school giveaways. McTiernan says Parks asks about site layout, production schedule, staffing, and queueing, and also asks the value of book bags to understand the giveaway.
Cerrone says each event has different components and some judgment calls are made. He acknowledges questions can make applicants feel negative and says the agency wants to learn and do better.
Hankerson asks whether the process for questioning applicants is reviewed through Parks Academy sensitivity training. Cerrone says he will get back to the committee on the exact training layout and scenarios.
Hankerson acknowledges Councilmember Chris Marte and says he does not want to use all the time. He turns questioning over to Councilmember Frank Morano.
Morano notes fewer than 1% of applications are denied and asks who represents the park user who never applied. Cerrone says Parks relies on public feedback, borough offices, 311, and prioritizes youth permits for athletic fields.
Morano says losing field access is especially harmful in the outer boroughs and asks if Parks measures displacement. Cerrone says it is hard to measure, but Parks checks for programming conflicts before permitting and will work with specific constituents.
Morano asks Parks to track total park days lost to setup, event, breakdown, and restoration. Cerrone says Parks tracks event dates but not full displacement, notes that only portions of parks are usually closed, and says 75% of permits are for 100 people or fewer.
Hankerson asks what interagency collaboration looks like for permits. Cerrone says larger events involve site visits with NYPD, FDNY, DOHMH, DOB, and CECM, plus meetings on security, transportation, and promotion.
Hankerson asks whether food, amplified sound, vending, and merchandise permits can be handled through one application. Cerrone says no, applicants must go to each agency separately, though mobile vendors may already have DOHMH permits.
Hankerson says CBOs get frustrated by fragmented applications and asks whether Parks has considered working with OTI to centralize them. Cerrone says that conversation has not been initiated but Parks is open to presentations and simplifying some permits.
Hankerson acknowledges Councilmembers Salaam, Sanchez, and others joining. He turns questioning over to Councilmember Linda Lee.
Lee seconds the request to join applications and asks again how many events permitting staff are in Queens and on the citywide team. Cerrone says Queens has six and citywide has eight.
Lee asks when and why the $721 wanger wagon fee was added. Cerrone explains the wanger wagon is a mobile stage requiring a tow truck, CDL driver, and additional staff, taking park supervisors away from cleanup and maintenance duties.
Lee asks why bouncy houses trigger the 500-person threshold. Cerrone says Parks lowered the threshold to 200 and cites injuries from tipped bouncy houses as a reason for more regulation.
Hankerson acknowledges Councilmembers Santosuosso, Krishnan, and Ong. He turns questioning over to Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso.
Santosuosso says she used to apply for CBO permits and asks whether Parks sets expectations about the 21-day process. Cerrone says applicants get same-day acknowledgment, Parks runs permit roadshows, and the website has been updated.
Santosuosso asks if Parks would partner with council offices so organizations can meet permit staff directly. Cerrone says yes and suggests a joint meeting to present the process and answer questions.
Santosuosso asks whether general liability insurance costs prevent organizations from applying. Cerrone says insurance applies to less than 5% of permits, usually larger events, and coverage decisions are made with the Law Department.
Santosuosso apologizes to Nancy from the Brooklyn special events office for last-minute permits years ago. Cerrone identifies her as Nancy Melissas, who recently retired after 30 years.
Hankerson asks who was invited to the nine partner input forums. Cerrone says 140 partner groups attended, and Anne McTiernan says Parks invited applicants from the prior three years, including approved and denied applicants.
Hankerson asks how common unpermitted events are and how Parks enforces. Cerrone says it is hard to count them, but Parks sends cease-and-desist letters and often calls first to explain the permit process, citing social-media running events.
Hankerson describes a permitted organization that saw another event with prohibited bouncy houses and did not know who to call. Cerrone admits the system is informal and apologizes, suggesting the organization call the permit issuer.
Hankerson asks whether Parks tracks promoters with negative event histories. Cerrone says the rules do not address it, but Parks uses firsthand experience and can suspend applicants; McTiernan describes photo evidence and violation letters, with up to two-year suspensions.
Hankerson asks whether unpermitted groups face reprimands. Cerrone says Parks would need to know about and document the event; if staff observe it, they may call Parks Enforcement to issue summonses.
Hankerson asks how Parks and NYPD determine security needs and how often PEP officers or rangers work events. Cerrone says most small events need no NYPD or Parks Enforcement, while larger events require private security and NYPD assessment.
Hankerson asks what most commonly leads to denials. Cerrone says location and size mismatch, such as requesting a 20,000-person event in a park that has historically handled 2,000.
Hankerson asks what factors cause Parks to shut down an event. Cerrone says weather is most common, citing the canceled Global Citizens event, and says Parks works with OEM, NYPD, and CECM and requires large events to have a meteorologist.
Hankerson asks whether Parks or the applicant hires the meteorologist. Cerrone says the applicant does, and he describes one meteorologist who previously worked at NY1 and advises on storm timing.
Hankerson asks how Parks reviews events afterward. Cerrone says small events get little follow-up, while larger events get site inspections after loadout and photos compared to pre-event conditions; McTiernan adds interagency debriefs.
Hankerson asks whether conservancies or licensees can approve events without DPR input, and whether contracts require grass repair. Cerrone says no outside group can approve events and contracts require parks to be returned to prior condition.
Hankerson asks if Parks gives applicants a comprehensive checklist of approvals and agency permits. Anne McTiernan says the citywide office sends a templated email with required documents and links to NYPD, FDNY, and DOB permits.
Hankerson acknowledges Phil Wong and returns to sensitivity training, asking whether staff hired years ago are retrained. Cerrone says it depends on the office and that the citywide team will retrain at the end of the year.
Hankerson says the committee should observe Parks Academy training and reports complaints from Southeast Queens CBOs about disrespect from permit offices. He says the agency must do better.
Phil Wong introduces concerns that field permits are reserved but unused, causing children to lose playtime. He asks whether Parks can inspect fields and reduce or revoke unused permits; Cerrone says he does not have the numbers but will work with Wong's office and Ken Conyers.
Wong says he can provide information on soccer and softball fields that were reserved but unused. Cerrone agrees to work with his office and Ken Conyers to examine those fields.
Wong asks why enforcement depends on complaints and proposes an automatic system to release repeatedly unused field time. Cerrone says Parks will review the rules and fields with the athletic permitting team.
Wong asks how much notice Parks must give when canceling or changing a permit and whether organizations get written explanations and replacement time. Cerrone says he will follow up with the information.
Wong says lighting problems make evening play impractical and asks whether Parks verifies lights before issuing evening permits. Cerrone says lighting is a priority, Parks ran a summer pilot, and some lights are remote-controlled but older fixtures and bulb replacement require contractors.
Wong asks who to contact about lighting problems on specific fields. Cerrone names Ken Conyers, director of athletic field permitting and policy, and offers to set up a call with Wong's office.
Hankerson apologizes to Wong and the Parks Department because the committee had agreed not to discuss athletic permits. He thanks the agency and opens the hearing for public testimony.
Hankerson says public testimony is a formal proceeding, asks for silence and decorum, and explains that witnesses get two minutes. He gives instructions for appearance cards and submitting written testimony within 72 hours.
Johnson says the committee should invite OEM to testify, proposes paying people to report unsafe events, and calls for bonds and insurance for basketball tournaments. He criticizes politics in permit issuance and says OEM should be more involved.
Lubov says Parks has improved approvals and guidance but the system remains rigid and understaffed. She recommends accounting for scale and investment, making date swaps more flexible, and not charging fees for free programs.
Hankerson thanks Heather Lubov for her testimony. He adjourns the September 30, 2026 Parks permitting hearing.