About this event
*If you have trouble accessing the replay of the event, please contact Stephanie at sarevalo@nycfuture.org. To view the replay of this forum, you can use the link in the same email you used to access the forum virtually, or request a new link be sent above.
There are surprisingly few restaurants, cafes, and other destination-worthy concessions in parks across the five boroughs. Where these concessions do exist, they invariably enhance the experience of parkgoers. A modest expansion of parks concessions could make New York’s parks even more appealing while providing a much-needed source of dedicated revenue for parks citywide at a time when city funding for parks has failed to keep pace with their growing maintenance and infrastructure needs.
This forum dove into the opportunity for a thoughtful expansion of concessions in parks across the five boroughs—including food and beverage, recreation, and wellness. It explored the experience of parks that have added new concessions in recent years—from McCarren Park and Fort Tryon Park to Brooklyn Bridge Park and Central Park—and examined whether there are untapped opportunities to lease concessions in other city parks. Panelists also discussed what city and state policy changes and investments are needed to unlock these opportunities, how to ensure that revenues generated from new concessions remain in parks, and whether a portion of new revenues generated by concessions can benefit parks in less affluent communities.
Speakers included:
This symposium was made possible through generous support from the NYC Green Fund. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, The Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.
Center for an Urban Future is a catalyst for smart and sustainable policies that reduce inequality, increase economic mobility, and grow the economy in NYC.
