NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

The marathon energy is already in the air! This Sunday, several of our Parkies will be taking on the NYC Marathon proudly hosted by New York Road Runners - an incredible challenge that reflects their dedication, resilience, and spirit during the entire 26.2 miles! If you'll be out on the course this weekend, come join us if you’re in the neighborhood near the Bedford Ave L stop (near the Metropolitan Pool) to cheer them on! Let’s make some noise and show these Parkies our support: Luiggi Almanzar Justin Bauer Claudia Cereceda Christine Cocheteux Jeffrey Cooper Paul Fontana Isiah Forde Clara Holmes John Luisi Stepan Machalaba Jose Rivera Juliana Stinson Raymond Warren Jules Webster Yuyi Chen Sean Quealy Harold Benjamin Good luck and see you at the finish line! 

These days, we're taking our lunch breaks with the birds! 🐦 Fall migration is underway! Thousands of birds have been stopping in our city for food and rest at parks and other greenspaces to prepare for the colder season ahead. Here are a few of our favorite sightings this season, featuring photos from a bird watching Parkie Michael Devito! Learn more and head to your local park: on.nyc.gov/3r3wTPc

Our Commissioner is getting into the fall spirit early this year by lacing up her hiking boots and showing up as a local Park Ranger to kick off the countdown to Halloween! 🐿️ Whether it's building a new playground or bringing nature education to life (yes, even with puppet plushies), fun is an important part of our everyday mission here at Parks!

We’re gearing up for another incredible pool/beach season here at Parks. Do you have what it takes to become part of the team that keeps our beaches and pools safe each summer? Sign up for our qualifying exams taking place now at indoor pools across the city. All candidates must swim 50 yards in 55 seconds and pass a vision exam in order to qualify for our training sessions! Learn more: on.nyc.gov/3WjQVVp 

What happens after a large storm event in the city like the one that took place earlier this week? Our forestry crews and inspectors are dispatched to check on damaged or fallen trees, trees leaning or uprooted, broken sidewalks, or a tree in decline. Maintaining our urban forest and tree canopy is one of our most important responsibilities in keeping New Yorkers safe. We deeply appreciate our team that continues to brave these conditions to care for our trees! If you notice a fallen or damaged tree, please reach out to 311 to make a tree service request or for emergencies call 911. After your report is submitted, a Parks inspector will visit the location and our crews will be dispatched as needed. Submit a report: on.nyc.gov/4ooVt98

We're closing off Hispanic Heritage Month with some wise words from Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. This year, she was named the first Latino commissioner in the agency's history. She sees mentorship and paving the way for the next generation of leadership as a major part of her mission!

Palm trees and lifeguards in Washington Square Park? The Arch glowed orange today as we kicked off lifeguard recruitment season for summer 2026 with a rally! Summer might be months away, but qualifier signups are now open! Learn more here: http://on.nyc.gov/4h3ZRYr

We’re jumping for joy at the two newly built junior basketball courts at Faber Park in Staten Island! With new sports lighting, natural plantings, and a colorful surface, these sleek new spaces bring even more fun to this beloved waterfront park!

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. We would like to take the time to thank all Parks employees who assisted with the efforts in and around Ground Zero. Thank you to Central Communications and the role you played in keeping teams connected. Special Thanks to Parks Enforcement Patrol, whose members came from all boroughs to aid the relief efforts. PEP worked at Battery Park City, Manhattan South and Hudson River Park escorting and directing people to safety, helping patrons and pets out of their apartments. Our team maintained deployment for weeks and showed strength during a time of uncertainty. Thanks to you and to all Parkies who contributed to the recovery efforts with service and dedication. We will never forget the victims, their loved ones, first responders, and all the New Yorkers whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. One Parkie, Michael Browne, toured the site in the wake of the attacks and found a damaged Callery pear tree that had survived despite being knocked over from the blast. This tree, now known as the Survivor Tree, sprung back to life with bright green leaves and was nursed back to health by NYC Parks staff members for years at our nursery in Van Cortlandt Park. Michael has generously agreed to share his story with us today. https://lnkd.in/eSTjFewT

This weekend marks the last splash of the season at our beaches and public pools! Rain or shine, New Yorkers came together to enjoy a summer of endless fun and none of it would have been possible without our incredible lifeguards, maintenance crews, aquatics team, PEP officers, and seasonal staff. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and teamwork in keeping our pools and beaches safe all summer long! Cheers to another successful season - we couldn’t have done it without you!