All topics / Basic Services for All New Yorkers / Department of Parks and Recreation
Acceptable by feature small parks, large parks & greenstreets (%) — Safety surface
Manage the City’s parks and recreation facilities. — Ensure that all parks and playgrounds are clean and in good condition.
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 93% | 95% |
| FY23 | 94% | 95% |
| FY24 | 94% | 95% |
| FY25 | 94% | 95% |
| FY26 (YTD) | 92% | 95% |
92% in FY26 — missed the City's own target for this indicator (3% below the 95% target), though it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
Central Park, approved in 1853 and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, was created partly on the premise that a large public park was a democratic amenity, meant to serve all New Yorkers rather than the wealthy alone. A single unified, citywide Parks Department was created in 1934 under Commissioner Robert Moses, who dramatically expanded the system's playgrounds, pools, and parkland over his 26-year tenure. Today's Department is the steward of that legacy, responsible for maintaining and operating parks and recreation facilities across all five boroughs so they remain functional public space rather than neglected land.
Robert Moses and the Modern Park System - NYC Parks, 160 Years of Central Park: A Brief History
Source: Operations & Management Planning Division — via NYC Open Data: Mayor's Management Report, Agency Performance Indicators
Coverage shown: FY22–FY26, reported monthly.
Definition: The percent of safety surfaces (impact-absorbing material placed on the ground) in all parks, playgrounds and greenstreets rated acceptable based on the Parks Inspection Program's standards. This includes safety matting under playground equipment and wood chipping under adult exercise equipment.