Coronavirus Impact, Cuts Put Prospect Park At Risk: Study

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Upkeep along Prospect Park's paths, trails and plantings could suffer as the new coronavirus outbreak wreaks havoc on funding for parks citywide, a new study found.

Roughly half of New York City parks maintained by parks and open space groups, including Prospect Park, anticipate at least $37 million in lost revenue from the outbreak, according to their COVID-19 impact report.

This translates to thousands of hours in staff and maintenance cuts, the loss of nearly 550,000 plantings, 3,400 fewer tree prunings and 150 acres of lawns that won't be mowed, seeded or maintained.

“In these unprecedented times, our parks are one of the few places open to our community," said Sue Donoghue, president of the Prospect Park Alliance, in a statement. "Prospect Park Alliance needs to do its part to help keep up with increased usage in the face of significant challenges. It is critical for all New Yorkers to have access to safe, clean parks, today and in the challenging times ahead."

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Prospect Park, which has seen crowds since the coronavirus shutdown began, stands to suffer impacts on horticultural care, free programs, public safety measures, park maintenance and new improvement projects.

The 20 parks and open space groups that participated in and released the study formed in the 1970s when city cuts led to deteriorating, garbage-filled parks.

They largely rely on private support to maintain half the city's public parks and open spaces, the study states. But those private donations likely will fall 60 percent amid the coronavirus crisis, according to the study.

The coalition — known as Parks and Open Space Partners - NYC — raised concerns about the shortfall ahead of summer.

Prospect Park Alliance on Tuesday tweeted that 340 park jobs are set to expire July 1.

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