Dilcy Benn, DC 37 Parks Committee Co-chair and President of Local 1505, spoke out for the need for the Parks Department to receive 1% of the city budget and stop a proposed $60 million cut to the Parks budget. Photo: Mike Lee

SUPPORT DC 37 PARKS WORKERS and NYC PARKS, SIGN the PLAY FAIR PETITION

We need your help to win the fight for Parks funding and jobs. Join the Play Fair Rally TODAY Thursday, May 26 at City Hall, 10 to 11 AM. This is our final push for 1% of the New York City budget for Parks. City parks are essential for all New Yorkers. DC 37 and the Play Fair Coalition are in a crucial fight for Parks to receive 1% of the City budget and for hundreds of essential Parks jobs to be baselined.

Mayor Adams’ executive budget places NYC Parks funding at just 0.6% of the total city budget, well below the 1% he repeatedly committed to. Our city’s parks will experience significant strains on staff and resources, as they have for the past 40+ years of underinvestment. This comes at a time when New Yorkers are relying on parks, beaches and open spaces more than ever before, both for mental and physical health during the ongoing pandemic and as our best line of defense against climate change.

Keep the pressure on: Sign the 1% for Parks petition: Our #1Percent4Parks budget petition has over 4,000 signatures and counting—more than any petition in our organization’s history. We’re sending a clear message to the Mayor and City Council and keeping parks in the conversation. If you haven’t done so already, please sign the Parks petition HERE and share the 1% for Parks petition that’s sponsored by New Yorkers for Parks and the Play Fair Coalition. #1Percent4Parks