Press Releases

Local Volunteers and Parks officials celebrated with a seeding activity to green and nourish Marcus Garvey Park lawn

The Volunteer Group Directory now features over 500 groups, making it easier for New Yorkers to find the right volunteer opportunities in their parks and community gardens

Yesterday, NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa celebrated surpassing one million volunteers and more than 200 million volunteer hours—a number that continues to grow. Since launching Let’s Green NYC in 2023, NYC Parks has strengthened its legacy of volunteerism by deepening support for the hundreds of groups that care for green and open spaces—from grassroots collectives to major conservancies—while making it easier and more engaging for all New Yorkers to help beautify parks, connect with their communities, and build stronger neighborhoods.

This achievement is a key milestone in advancing Parks’ Vital Parks for All goal of empowering more than 500,000 New Yorkers with opportunities to care for and improve their parks, connect with nature and each other, enhance their physical and mental well-being, and help keep New York City’s parks clean, safe, and welcoming for all.

“Surpassing one million volunteers is a powerful reminder of what New Yorkers can achieve when we come together for our parks and our communities,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “Through Let’s Green NYC, we’ve renewed our commitment to the countless volunteer groups—big and small—who make our green spaces cleaner, greener, and more welcoming for everyone. This milestone isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the deep connections being made between people, parks, and neighborhoods across the city.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and open spaces became vital community hubs for New Yorkers—and they continue to play a key role in the city’s recovery by offering free, safe spaces to gather, stay active, and reconnect. Urban green spaces often go unrecognized, but they are essential to city life, especially in New York, where every square foot counts. Time spent in nature brings measurable mental and physical health benefits, from reduced stress to improved heart health. As the city faces the challenges of climate change, NYC Parks is committed to helping New Yorkers build a stronger connection to their local greenspaces and to the city’s green future.

With nearly 1,000 playgrounds, over 800 sports fields, and 10,000 acres of natural areas, NYC Parks is the city’s largest steward of open space. Community is central to this mission, and Parks has a long history of supporting the volunteer groups that help care for neighborhood parks. Parks estimates that around 230,000 New Yorkers volunteer annually, and a recent study found that 73% of young New Yorkers are willing to volunteer to support the city’s recovery, though many don’t know where to start. Parks has taken the following steps to further the mission of increasing volunteerism::

The milestone celebration event was held with NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura; Community Board 11 Chair of Environment, Open Spaces, and Parks Rosa Diaz; Marcus Garvey Park Alliance and dog run volunteer Johnathan Hawes; members of the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association; members of Abyssinian Baptist Church; J. Hood Wright Summer Camp; and community members

The event featured seed spreading, where community members used spreaders to help restore and beautify local green spaces, fostering neighborhood pride. There were also giveaways from Parks, Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association, and the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance. At the Let’s Green NYC table, volunteers learned how to sign up for the 2025 Trees Count to help map areas for new tree plantings, supporting a healthier, more equitable urban canopy.

—30—

Press Contact:

Kelsey Jean-Baptiste

pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov

(212) 360-1311