Select Region
Follow us!


5 Neglected NYC Parks to get $150 Million for Upgrades

5 Neglected NYC Parks to get $150 Million for Upgrades


Five NYC parks in desperate need of repairs and renovations will receive $150 million for upgrades, according to The New York Times.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday announced that the five parks –one in each borough – will each received $30 million in what he called an effort to combat an unequal system in which parks in wealthier neighborhoods of NYC were better financed than those in poorer neighborhoods.

“This is about fairness,” said Mayor de Blasio at a news conference at St. Mary’s Park in the South Bronx. “We talk about fighting inequality. This is one of the basic ways to do it. For a lot of New Yorkers this is where they spend their summer vacation. For a lot of people who can't afford to travel, a park is everything to them."

St. Mary’s Park in the South Bronx, Highbridge Park in Upper Manhattan, Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Astoria Park in Queens and Freshkills Park in Staten Island were named the parks receiving the funding.  According to the city, close to a tenth of NYC's population lives within walking distance of one of these parks.



The money will be spent over the next four years, with local communities contributing their ideas on how to improve each location. Upgrades will include new soccer fields, bathrooms, hiking trails, sprinklers, and baseball fields and tracks.

"These five parks are finally getting the big support they need. And we will work with the community those plans and visions to make it a reality," said Mitchell Silver, NYC Parks Commissioner.

REALTED: Check Out the Top Playgrounds in NYC 

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates on fun events and other family activities in your area.

Main photo by Costa Constantinides via Flickr Creative Commons

More Family Activities Articles:

Things to Do with Kids in NYC this Weekend

Enjoy these fun things to do with your kids in New York City this weekend. Start planning your weekend now with our editorially curated list of happen...


Latest News:

Things to Do with Kids on Long Island this Weekend

Enjoy these fun weekend activities with your kids on Long Island. Start planning your weekend now.


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.

Author: Linda DiProperzio has written extensively on parenting issues for Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and Family Circle, among others. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons. See More

Featured Listings:

Kate Tempesta's Urban Golf Academy

Kate Tempesta's Urban Golf Academy

Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy (UGA) brings golf to children as young as 3 years old! Check out their weekly programs in on the Upper East Side or...

ProHEALTH Dental

ProHEALTH Dental

ProHEALTH Dental was founded in 2016 in Lake Success to break down the historical barrier between medicine and dentistry. Our goal is to improve oral ...

Long Island Nets Basketball Games

Long Island Nets Basketball Games

Uniondale , NY Professional basketball is back on Long Island! The Long Island Nets are the official NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets playing from Novembe...

Kids Country Day Camp

Kids Country Day Camp

Mount Sinai, NY Kids Country Day Camp is a sports, adventure, and recreational day camp for children 3 - 12 years of age. We are located on 10 beautiful acres in the ...