Bronx Holds 'Speak Up' for Parks Event

For over three decades, the Bronx Parks Speak Up has served as a critical platform for residents and advocates to address the needs of the borough's green spaces. The event grew from a 1995 meeting organized by the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality to coordinate community group activities into an annual forum for holding officials accountable and discussing pressing issues. Today, it draws hundreds of residents, activists, and elected officials for a day of networking and strategy. This year's focus on "Funding the Future" highlights a long-standing battle for equitable resources. Advocacy groups, including the Play Fair Coalition, have been demanding that 1% of New York City's total budget be allocated to the Parks Department. Currently, the department receives only about 0.6% of the city's operating budget, a figure that advocates argue is insufficient to properly maintain the city's 30,000 acres of parkland. The underfunding has tangible consequences for the Bronx, which has the most parkland of any borough but has historically received less public maintenance funding than Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. This disparity contributes to issues like neglected spaces and unsafe conditions, which disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. The connection between green space quality and public health is a key concern, as the South Bronx in particular faces high rates of asthma. Workshops at today's event are designed to empower residents with actionable solutions. Sessions will cover topics such as activating parks through the NYC Green Fund, expanding the Harlem Riverfront Greenway, the importance of community gardens, and using nature to lower temperatures in the face of climate change. The ultimate goal extends beyond a single day of discussions. The Speak Up serves as a launchpad for year-round advocacy, aiming to build a more powerful and unified voice to press for increased city investment. Organizers and attendees will be looking to translate the day's energy into concrete action, holding elected officials to their promises and fighting for a greener, healthier Bronx. Community engagement is a central theme, with over 30 organizations expected to be present, offering residents opportunities to volunteer and connect with local park stewards. Groups like the Bronx River Alliance and the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance will be on hand to discuss their ongoing projects and internship programs for local youth. Recent small victories, such as the expansion of a "second shift" for evening and weekend cleaning at parks like St. Mary's Park, demonstrate that advocacy can lead to tangible improvements. However, advocates stress that these are just first steps, and sustained pressure is necessary to achieve the systemic funding changes needed for all Bronx parks to thrive.