Welcome to Al-Qalam: Poets in the Park by Sara Ouhaddou, our newest permanent public art installation celebrating the literary legacy of LIttle Syria at Elizabeth Berger Plaza. Kayla Abaza, our monuments technician, is here to take you on a tour of the beautiful piece! Come out and see it for yourself as summer begins!
About us
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is New York City's principal provider of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. Our parks are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals. Parks & Recreation is the steward of nearly 14 percent of New York City's land, including thousands of individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, public pools, recreational facilities, nature centers, golf courses, and beaches throughout the five boroughs. We also care for monuments and historic house museums and look after hundreds of thousands of street trees (even more within parks).
- Website
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http://nyc.gov/parks
External link for NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
- Industry
- Government Administration
- Company size
- 5,001-10,000 employees
- Headquarters
- New York, NY
- Type
- Government Agency
- Specialties
- New York City Parks, Architecture, Recreation, Construction, Sports, Forestry Management, Fitness, Natural Resources Management, Environment, Planning, and Landscape Design
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
The Arsenal
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10065, US
Employees at NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Updates
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At Parks even our most historic spaces are full of life! This week, our crews went out to Gravesend Cemetery as part of an ongoing project to restore a number of historic headstones on our parklands consisting of delicate material (brownstone and marble). At this site, there are some of the oldest stones in the entire city dating back to before the Revolution! The team has created cast concrete enclosures during the winter season and currently are working on to reposition these stones into the hallowed ground. Thanks to our Art & Antiquities team and monuments crew who are primarily responsible for the maintenance, conservation, and preservation of around 800 monuments, memorials, permanent artworks, and historic artifacts on parkland.
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Watch Kelly Park Playground in Brooklyn go from “Asphalt to awesome!” Hear from the team behind The Municipal Art Society of New York 2026 Best New Urban Landscape Award winning space and get a new perspective on how thoughtful playground design can foster dynamic play, bond-building opportunities, and vibrant, comfortable communities for years to come!
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Hanami season is officially here! On Saturday April 18th, Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, the first Japanese American Commissioner of NYC Parks, rang in the cherry blossoms at the 21st Annual Sakura Matsuri held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park organized by the Japanese American Association (JAA). Festivities included performances from Traditional Japanese Drum band, Okinawan Sashin and Dance, JAA Chorus, Tenrikyo Drum and Fife Corps, and plenty of pink-tinted memories for years to come!
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Do you know a Parkie or nonprofit that deserves the spotlight? Nominate them for an NYC Mayor's Office of Nonprofit Services Excellence in Human Service Delivery Award, now through May 8. Show them some love and submit your nominations here! https://lnkd.in/g7SB6hVe
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For Iyana Titus, Assistant Commissioner for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, the key to workplace harmony is “Connection. These times call for it, just as much as our park systems are, by nature, primed to offer it.” By incorporating Restorative Practices like circle keeping to create spaces for open dialogue, bonds have strengthened and relationships have deepened across teams and communities within Parks. What does that look like in practice? Check out the latest issue of Parks & Recreation, the official publication of the National Recreation and Park Association, for more insight. https://lnkd.in/ek-uGagq
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Growing up, she was told to change her last name. Now, as the first NYC Parks Commissioner of Japanese heritage, Commissioner Tricia Shimamura celebrates the kickoff of cherry blossom season--a symbol of friendship between New York and Japan. Join her in Sakura Park as she talks about building a park system that is free for everyone from all cultures to enjoy, and how we will work to help these green (or pink and white) spaces thrive! 🌸
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Ever wonder how our younger trees get their trim on? For the past three years, participants in our Gardener Training and Climber & Pruner Training programs have been teaming up to care for young trees across the city. Trees under 4 inches in diameter are eligible for pruning through this program, giving them the strong foundation they need to thrive. Each crew is made up of trainees from both programs, creating a valuable opportunity for hands-on cross training and skill-building. Together, they prune thousands of trees every season so if you see them give them a wave!
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NYC is ready for the playoffs! With the postseason just around the corner, former NBA All-Star and Knicks legend John Starks joined us at Chelsea Recreation Center this week for a youth basketball clinic, part of our partnership through the Jr. Knicks program to offer free basketball clinics for young rec center members across the city. Let's build the next generation of NYC hoops!
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