Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Parks staff and community groups across the city are working tirelessly to help all New Yorkers enjoy our most valuable public assets—our parks and green spaces. Join us at this webinar to hear updates from NYC Parks and get tips on how to best advocate for park projects in your community during COVID-19.

This webinar will include:

• A breakdown of NYC Parks’ structure and divisions
• Who to contact to address concerns about your local park
• Updates on special events and sports permitting
• How to advocate for, or check the status of, a park repair or renovation

Featured speakers:

• First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh, NYC Parks

A lifelong New Yorker, Commissioner Kavanagh joined Parks 39 years ago and has served as Brooklyn forestry director, deputy chief of operations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and chief of operations. As first deputy commissioner, Mr. Kavanagh oversees efforts to improve the quality and increase the number of well-maintained greenspaces in public parks throughout New York. Mr. Kavanagh was born in Manhattan, raised in the Bronx, and now resides in Brooklyn.

• Chief of Capital Strategic Initiatives Diane Jackier, NYC Parks

Diane started working at NYC Parks’ Capital Division in 2008 as the chief of staff. In 2013, she started a new role as the chief of capital strategic initiatives, which she still holds today. In this position, she implements division-wide initiatives to improve the quality and efficiency of Parks’ capital process, oversees the upgrades and maintenance of the division’s project management system, and creates standard operating procedures. In 2015, Diane led the team that created the Parks Capital Project Tracker, an online search tool containing information related to all active, proposed, partner, and completed Parks capital projects, which she continues to maintain. Prior to working at Parks, Diane worked at the Landmarks Preservation Commission for seven years as the director of community and government affairs.

• Park Manager Wes Hamilton, NYC Parks—Manhattan Districts 6, 8, and 15

As a parks and recreation manager, Wes is responsible for managing and overseeing the operations, inspections, and maintenance of multiple park districts in Manhattan.

• Queens Outreach Coordinator Sara Baral, Partnerships for Parks

Sara has been working with NYC Parks since 2015 and serving as an outreach coordinator since June 2016. Over her tenure, she has worked with all 14 community boards in Queens, stretching from Astoria to Rockaway. Sara supports existing community park groups and developing groups by helping them find the appropriate people and resources to transform their green spaces.

Registration for this session is required and will close the day before the event. You will receive information on how to join the webinar once you register. If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Mullaney at jmullaney@cityparksfoundation.org.