New York's Expensive Parks

Patrick Arden reports that "No other parks system in America relies as much on other people's money" as New York. Arden examines the public-private partnership, and problems inherent in relying on donations to maintain parks.

1 minute read

June 21, 2010, 6:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Arden says that some see "disparities between lavish, showplace parks for the haves and cast-off parcels for the have-nots" in New York. Half of the city's parks rely on private funding or assistance. Park maintenance was cut drastically during a 1970s budget crisis, and has never quite recovered. Bloomberg's new budget will reflect "a record low of 0.37 percent, or $239 million" for the Parks Department.

FULL STORY: Issue 27 Preview: The High Cost of Free Parks

Sunday, June 20, 2010 in Next American City

Infrastructure New York Parks Public-Private Partnerships

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