Several Northern Manhattan electeds organized a walkthrough inside Inwood Park this week alongside Community Board 12 and community members to discuss needed park renovations and improvements.
In attendance were Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Assemblymember Carmen De La Rosa (D-Manhattan), State Senator Robert Jackson, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner William T. Castro, and Community Board 12 Chairman Eleazar Bueno.
“For far too long, parks and public greenery in our communities have been neglected and left to deteriorate – and we are here to say that it’s simply unacceptable,” said Espaillat. “Our neighborhood has hundreds of acres of city parkland, second only to Central Park, and it’s our duty to ensure these spaces are kept clean, safe, and available for residents – and the next generation – to enjoy.”
Upper Manhattan parks and green spaces like Inwood Hill Park, known locally as Inwood Park, have been neglected for decades leaving areas of the park in disarray and in unsafe conditions. Community members and local electeds have called for additional park lights, directional signals for “dead end” paths, additional garbage cans, paved park routes, and park beatifying initiatives similar to those implemented in Central Park.
“We have made much progress working with the current administration to bring resources to Northern Manhattan parks and playgrounds. However, the conditions of our parks are far from where we should be,” said Rodriguez. “Decades of neglect and disinvestments have left our parklands in poor and unsafe conditions.”
Northern Manhattan is composed of over 500 acres of city parkland which is second only to Central Park. Local residents have been asking for additional resources to ensure residents can have enjoyable and safe parks.
“Our Uptown parks and green spaces need adequate support, increase safety measures and increased infrastructure investments. Our parks and public spaces are critical in ushering in a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring our residents are safe and comfortable must be a priority.” Said Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa.
