Community groups who support neighborhood parks, gardens, and green spaces are most effective when they understand how NYC Parks works and develop relationships with NYC Parks staff. At this workshop, learn more about NYC Parks and how your group can partner with Parks officials to create thriving public spaces across all five boroughs.

Topics include:

• How NYC Parks is structured, centrally and in each borough
• Who to contact to address your specific concerns about your local park
• Tips on how to build successful working relationships with NYC Parks staff
• Networking with Parks staff and other community leaders

Featured Speakers: 

• Adena Long, Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Service & Public Programs, NYC Parks  

Adena Long has been working with NYC Parks for over 20 years in a variety of capacities. In 2010, she was appointed borough commissioner for Staten Island, becoming the youngest-ever person and first woman to hold this title. There she served for four years before expanding her role in a citywide capacity as assistant commissioner for Public Programs. In this role Adena oversees Recreation, Urban Park Rangers, Aquatics, and the Media Education Unit. Under her leadership, Public Programs has provided low-cost recreational and educational opportunities by creating innovative programs, developing strong partnerships, and contributing to a sense of place and experience at NYC Parks.

• Martin Maher, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner, NYC Parks

As a Brooklyn native, Martin Maher grew up playing in Prospect Park and learning to swim at Coney Island and Manhattan Beach. His career with NYC Parks began in 1984 as an urban park ranger steadily moving up to positions on Randall’s Island, in Brooklyn Operations, and managing Coney Island Beach. Martin was promoted to chief of staff for the Brooklyn borough commissioner where he served for 18 years, helping to foster over $1 billion in improvements across the borough, before becoming the Brooklyn borough commissioner himself in 2017.

• Larry Scoones, Bronx Chief of Operations, NYC Parks

Larry Scoones joined NYC Parks in 1985 as an urban park ranger and has taken on many different management and operational roles across the city since. He currently serves as the chief of operations for the Bronx overseeing the maintenance and operations of parks in the borough. Throughout his tenure, Larry has lead the charge to target conditions in problematic areas, better utilize staff and resources, and ensure that operations stay in step to maintain new and existing park properties.

• Leenda Bonilla, Senior Outreach Coordinator, Partnerships for Parks

As Partnerships’ senior outreach coordinator in the Bronx, Leenda Bonilla uses her background in community development to champion community leaders caring for their public green spaces. She acts as a representative for the borough by developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders, spearheading NYC Parks initiatives, and bringing art and culture into parks through creative placemaking. In 2016 Leenda was named one of the 25 Influential Women of the Bronx and continues her community advocacy on the boards of multiple nonprofits.

For more information, contact relzinga@cityparksfoundation.org