Report: How to Fund NYC Parks

A set of 20 creative suggestions for increasing parks revenue.

1 minute read

January 21, 2024, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of lake in Central Park, New York City with people in rowboats and bright red and orange fall trees, buildings in background.

f11photo / Adobe Stock

A new report from the Center for an Urban Future (CUF) outlines 20 ways to raise revenue for New York City parks. The report explains that “New York City’s parks maintenance challenges compound deeper infrastructure issues that have only grown over time. The parks system faces at least $685 million in capital needs just to bring existing infrastructure up to a state of good repair, with just 30 percent of those needs either underway or planned over the next three years.”

Meanwhile, some residents still lack adequate access to parks. “While the city has made important progress since 2021, more than 16 percent of New York City residents do not live within a quarter-mile walk of a small park or half-mile of a large park.”

According to a CUF press release, “The ideas—including a new $1 surcharge on tickets sold at stadiums located on parkland; adding 10 new restaurants and destination-worthy concessions in parks across the five boroughs; a fee on gas-powered leaf blowers and landscaping; and a program to monetize organic waste from parks, including turning fallen trees into commercial lumber—provide city leaders with multiple options for establishing dedicated revenue streams for parks at a time when the city’s green spaces are experiencing record usage but also face growing maintenance needs.”

Thursday, January 18, 2024 in Center For An Urban Future

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today