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Putting the ‘Rec’ Back in NYC Parks and Recreation

Event - February 2026

Putting the ‘Rec’ Back in NYC Parks and Recreation

Our February 11th policy forum explored the importance of public recreation, which once accounted for one-third of NYC Parks’s budget—compared to 5 percent today. Panelists advanced ideas for bolstering aging rec facilities and expanding recreational programming, especially in low-income neighborhoods, where access to free recreation is limited and demand is high.

Tags: parks recreation

 

 

 

 

"Putting the ‘Rec’ Back in NYC Parks and Recreation"
A Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Replay of event
Event materials

For decades, NYC Parks was known as the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and recreation once accounted for nearly one-third of the agency’s budget. Today, most New Yorkers think of the agency primarily as steward of the city’s public parks, while recreation represents barely 5 percent of its expense budget—and years of underinvestment have left the system struggling to realize its full potential, with fewer programs than before the pandemic, staffing shortages, and aging rec centers, field houses, pools, and athletic facilities in need of major upgrades and expansion to meet demand. With New Yorkers spending more time indoors and struggling with health challenges—from obesity to social isolation—it may be time to put the Rec back in Parks & Rec.

This in-person policy forum explored the importance of public recreation in New York City, the challenges of expanding recreation in communities across the five boroughs, and what’s needed to restore recreation as essential civic infrastructure. Our solutions-focused discussion examined how to bolster aging rec facilities and expand recreational programming, especially in low-income neighborhoods, where access to free, low-cost recreation is limited and demand is high.

Speakers included:

  • Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, NYC Parks
  • Jordan Brackett, CEO, Asphalt Green
  • Kaitlin Krause, Founder & Executive Director, Rising Tide Effect
  • Sharon Levy, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, YMCA of Greater New York
  • Nzingha Prescod OLY, Founder & Executive Director, The Prescod Institute for Sport, Teamwork, and Education
  • Andrew So, Executive Director, South Bronx United
  • Udai Tambar, CEO & President, New York Junior Tennis & Learning

This event was made possible thanks to generous support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation and the Altman Foundation, support from Fisher Brothers Foundation for CUF's Middle Class Jobs Project, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.