In response to criticisms of the large investments in "big ticket" parks in wealthy neighborhoods during the Bloomberg Administration, New York City announced a park equity plan this week.
Lisa W. Foderaro reports on "an ambitious initiative that would channel some $130 million into tattered parks and playgrounds in low-income neighborhoods across New York City."
The money would benefit a list of 35 parks Foderaro describes as "hardscrabble" and "overlooked during the Bloomberg administration." Here's how Foderaro sums up the reasoning behind the plan: "Under Mr. de Blasio’s plan, 35 of those parks will share the $130 million infusion, plus additional money for maintenance. The parks are all heavily used open spaces in poor neighborhoods that struggle with high obesity and asthma rates. The parks on the list have had little to no investment in recent years."
In a separate article, Scott Heines provides additional details on the proposal, including a list of the 35 parks that stand to benefit from the plan. The proposal, for instance, is not an endorsement of a proposal by state Senator Daniel Squadron to redistribute funds from "well-financed conservancies" to other parts of the city.
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