Cerrone outlines transparency and process improvements
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.
Admittedly, the matrix of permits and approvals can be daunting.
for some to navigate, especially those less familiar with the city government.
So we have undertaken a dedicated effort to make our permit process more transparent and user-friendly.
In early 2025, we hosted a series of nine partner input forums in all five boroughs related to our special event permit process.
And invited representatives from park partner groups and other frequent permittees to offer feedback.
Over 140 distinct partner groups participated in these forums, providing invaluable perspective about their experience, connecting directly in person with our managers and permit coordinators,
and sharing recommendations and knowledge with their fellow partners.
With this feedback in mind, we redesigned our agency websites for special events permit page to display key information more clearly to applicants,
including the creation of a special events guide with key links to other agencies for ancillary permits.
To ensure greater consistency in the interpretation of agency rules and guidelines across all five boroughs, we have centralized our Special Events Permit Policy Office and our citywide Athletics Permits and Policy Office,
working in close coordination with our borough permit offices.
We are also working on additional process improvements to come, including finalizing an informational handout that will be available in multiple languages to clearly outline things applicants should keep in mind when applying.
for special event permits from NYC Parks.