Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 30, 2024
No. 43
www.nyc.gov/parks

NYC PARKS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING AND OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED NEW PARKS RULES

NYC PARKS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING AND OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED NEW PARKS RULES

Proposed new rules would increase fines for illegal dumping and replicate certain existing state laws in city code to streamline local enforcement.

NYC Parks today announced a public hearing for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, to discuss proposed rule amendments to increase the fines for illegal dumping, among other rule changes. The proposed increased penalties come in response to the prevalence of illegal dumping in parks and the growing concerns about its impact on parkland and risks for the local community. These proposed new rules aim to deter would-be offenders and encourage a culture of respect and stewardship towards our public spaces while underscoring our commitment to preserving the beauty, cleanliness, and health of our parks and public spaces. Additionally, while the abandonment of animals and the collection of bivalves are both currently prohibited under State law and can be enforced by Parks, having a new City rule would help further discourage this behavior and make it easier for Parks to issue summons for these activities using Parks codes. New Yorkers can submit comments on the proposed rule starting Friday, September 6th, through Wednesday, October 9th.

The proposed rule would:

  • Increase the penalty for illegal dumping from $1,000 to $5,000 first offense and add a $10,000 fine for each subsequent violation within a 12-month period

  • Establish a rule prohibiting the abandonment of animals mirroring the state law to streamline enforcement.

  • Establish a rule prohibiting the collection of bivalves (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops), unless approved for scientific study by the Commissioner’s Office. Bivalve collection is already prohibited by the State Department of Environmental Conservation, but this rule change would streamline enforcement.

The proposed rule will be available for review at NYC Rules and can be downloaded here.

Hearing:

New Yorkers interested in speaking at the public hearing on Wednesday, October 9th at the Chelsea Recreation Center, can do so for three (3) minutes by signing up:

Phone 212-360-1327

On-site Chelsea Recreation Center, Hearing Room sign-up sheet

Opportunity for Comment:

Comments can be submitted to NYC Parks beginning Thursday, September 6th, and must be submitted by Wednesday, October 9th via:

Website http://rules.cityofnewyork.us

Email rules@parks.nyc.gov

Mail Attn. Christine Cocheteux, Assistant Counsel

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

The Arsenal, Central Park

Room 312

830 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10065

Fax Attn. Christine Cocheteux, Assistant Counsel, 212-360-1373