In May 2020, a collective of national, family, and community foundations launched the NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund to support stewardship organizations that care for New York City’s parks and open spaces. The Fund was created in response to the efforts of the Parks and Open Space Partners – NYC coalition to raise awareness of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on open spaces. The Fund was administered by City Parks Foundation and responded to the most urgent needs facing the City’s parks and open spaces, while spurring decision-makers to address ongoing systemic challenges and provide adequate funding to maintain and improve them. In coordination with City Parks Foundation, the Central Park Conservancy’s Institute for Urban Parks looked closely at the major challenges facing parks and open spaces in NYC and released the NYC Green Fund Literature Review.

Throughout its three-year term, the Fund was a lifeline of financial support for open spaces and stewardship groups during a time of unprecedented use and need, ultimately impacting millions of New Yorkers who benefit from access to local green spaces.