Report Decries Slow Project Delivery by New York City Parks Department

Lisa Foderaro writes of the frustration of many New Yorkers—politicians and citizens—with the slow delivery pace of parks and open space projects in New York City.

"With many small- to medium-size projects financed by council members and borough presidents, the delays are not merely frustrating for park users. They also threaten the well-primed spigot of money that flows from lawmakers’ discretionary funds into neighborhood parks. Often, elected officials miss out on the political payoff of their contributions: a ribbon-cutting with beaming constituents," writes Foderaro.

New Yorkers for Parks released a study earlier this month finding that the Department of Environmental Protection, the School Construction Authority, and the Economic Development Corporation all have a much speedier track record than the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The city's new parks commissioner, Mitchell Silver, has publicly recognized the need to improve the department's performance. According to Foderaro, "Mr. Silver said he was meeting with his staff to address the problem and would issue recommendations by late summer."