Partnerships for Parks is a unique public-private partnership between City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions neighborhood volunteers by providing the tools needed to advocate and care for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people, organizations, and government with the necessary skills and resources to transform these spaces into dynamic community assets.
Public parks are the settings for our shared experiences. They improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers by providing spaces for social and civic engagement. By developing occasional volunteers into community leaders, we build long-term investment in public space and strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods.
There are currently over 1,700 parks in New York City. These places are our backyards, where we connect, play, and celebrate life’s moments. When people come together to care for these spaces, they thrive. And when parks thrive, neighborhoods thrive. Parks are spaces where community members and decision makers can work together to create our city.
Beautify a neighborhood green space through It’s My Park (IMP)! IMP is our signature volunteer program engaging tens of thousands of volunteers each year in hands-on beautification projects throughout our city’s neighborhood parks. It is both a resource for community partners and a service for nonprofit and corporate groups to revitalize local green spaces through cleaning, painting, and gardening. We strive to create an equitable park system by focusing on parks that need extra love.
We offer a wide range of learning and networking opportunities for people interested in caring for local parks and green spaces. Whether you are just starting out or a dedicated partner, we have something for you, including workshops and info sessions, trainings, coaching, and more.
We work hand-in-hand with communities across the city to support our neighborhood green spaces. You can join a community group, create one of your own, design a publication or website, and much more. Our dedicated staff are here to support you every step of the way.
We provide seed funding and other types of grants for people who care for local parks and open spaces across our city.
Presenting Sponsor
Generous private support for Partnerships for Parks is provided by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, TD Bank, The Monarch Foundation, Altman Foundation, the Greenacre Foundation, the Tiger Baron Foundation, Central Park Conservancy Institute for Urban Parks, and the MJS Foundation. Public support is provided by the NYC Council through the Parks Equity Initiative under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams.
At City Parks Foundation, our mission is to encourage New Yorkers to use their neighborhood parks by offering free environmental education, arts, sports, and community-building programs that bring people into their local green spaces. Please give now if you can—we know that city parks will continue to thrive when all New Yorkers get involved.
