Res. No. 659 Title Resolution calling upon the legislature of the State of New York to pass Senate bill S.271 and Assembly bill A.1427 of the 2003-2004 regular session, acts to amend the state finance law, the tax law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating the New York city parks, tree and urban forestry fund. Body By Council Members Addabbo, Jr., Avella, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, Fidler, Gennaro, Koppell, Liu, Lopez, Nelson, Quinn, Sanders, Seabrook, Sears, Serrano, Jackson and Brewer Whereas, The City of New York has over 28,000 acres of land, and includes 2,000 Greenstreets, 950 playgrounds, 615 turf athletic fields, 570 tennis courts, 53 outdoor swimming pools, 10 indoor swimming pools, 36 recreation and senior centers, 14 miles of beaches, 13 golf courses, 6 ice rinks, 4 major stadiums, 9 nature centers and 4 zoos, all under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR); and Whereas, In addition, DPR is responsible for the care and maintenance of approximately 500,000 street trees, 2 million park trees, 22 historic houses and over 1,500 monuments, sculptures and historical markers; and Whereas, DPR only has 2,012 full time employees to administer, maintain and protect these precious open, green and public spaces; and Whereas, New York City has one of the lowest open space standards of any metropolitan area in the country, as reported by the National Recreation and Park Association, which recommends a ratio of 10 acres per 1000 residents; and Whereas, In comparison to New York City, which has 7.2 acres, Philadelphia has 7.3 acres, Boston has 8.7 acres, San Francisco has 10.3 acres, Tampa has 10.8 acres, Seattle has 11.8 acres, Portland has 26.2 acres, Dallas has 21.3 acres and Los Angeles has 8.5 acres per 1000 residents; and Whereas, The City of New York is sorely in need of additional open and green space and tree cover; and Whereas, These bills will provide the Department of Parks and Recreation a much needed source of money to be used for the preservation, expansion and maintenance of a precious urban resource: open and green space; and Whereas, The City of New York has an overall expenditure for parks of $41 per capita, as compared to Tampa which has $54, Seattle which has $164, Portland which has $136, Dallas which has $47, Los Angeles which has $35, Philadelphia which has $34, and Boston which has $48, San Francisco which has $95, and Chicago which has $108; and Whereas, These bills will create an avenue for residents of New York City to elect to contribute to this fund; and Whereas, These bills will have little fiscal impact to the state, as it will provide and create a funding source; now, therefore be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the legislature of the State of New York to pass Senate bill S.271 and Assembly bill A.1427 of the 2003-2004 regular session, acts to amend the state finance law, the tax law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating the New York city parks, tree and urban forestry fund. THC - LS 1705 1/24/03