File #: Int 1052-2023    Version: * Name: An annual plan to expand access to school playgrounds.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Parks and Recreation
On agenda: 5/25/2023
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an annual plan to expand access to school playgrounds
Sponsors: Gale A. Brewer, Farah N. Louis, Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler, Kevin C. Riley
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to consult with the Department of Education (DOE) to create and submit to the Mayor and the Speaker of the Council an annual plan to expand public access to school playgrounds. The plan would need to prioritize playgrounds that are located in environmental justice areas and include, for the upcoming year, a list of at least 25 school playgrounds that could be maintained and operated by DPR and DOE and used by the public on weekends and after school hours, a list of the duties of DPR and DOE in relation to increasing the number of playgrounds available to the public, the estimated budget required, and any challenges with implementing the plan.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1052, 2. Int. No. 1052, 3. May 25, 2023 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-25-23, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - May 25, 2023

Int. No. 1052

 

By Council Members Brewer, Louis, Hudson, Restler and Riley

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an annual plan to expand access to school playgrounds

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 18 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 18-160 to read as follows:

§ 18-160 Public access to school playgrounds. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the term “environmental justice area” has the same meaning as set forth in section 3-1001.

b. No later than 90 days after the effective date of the local law that added this section, and annually thereafter, the department shall consult with the department of education to create and submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a plan to expand public access to playgrounds located at a public school or any facility that is leased by the department of education or over which the department of education has care, custody, and control, in which there is a public school, including a charter school, to provide public access to the playgrounds at 8:00 am to dusk on weekends, school breaks and after school hours whenever school programs are not in session. The plan shall focus on playgrounds that are not already accessible to the public on weekends and after school hours, shall prioritize playgrounds that are located in environmental justice areas, and shall include, but need not be limited to, the following for the upcoming year:

1. A list of at least 25 playgrounds that could be operated and maintained by the department and the department of education and used by the public on weekends and after school hours, and the reasons why the locations were chosen;

2. A list of the proposed duties and responsibilities of the department and the department of education in relation to operating and maintaining such additional playgrounds that would be used by the public on weekends and after school hours;

3. The total estimated budget required to operate and maintain such additional playgrounds that would be used by the public on weekends and after school hours, including a breakdown of specific estimated costs; and

4. Any anticipated challenges with implementing the plan.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JEF

LS #10647

5/22/23 11:00am