New York City Announces $150 Million In Funding For 5 City Parks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Five of New York City's largest parks will get new soccer fields, hiking trails and other improvements thanks to $150 million in new funding.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the funding for the five parks on Thursday. They are St. Mary's Park in the Bronx, Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Betsy Head Park in Brooklyn, Astoria Park in Queens and Freshkills Park on Staten Island.
"For so many New Yorkers parks are not just a place they go for a little exercise or for a walk, for a lot of New Yorkers this is where they spend their summer vacation," de Blasio said.
City officials say the parks were chosen based on historical underinvestment, high surrounding population and potential for development.
Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver says the initiative will give New Yorkers in all five boroughs "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make their older parks new again.''
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