Central Park

Compressed Natural Gas Refueling Station Opens In Central Park

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined Department of Transportation Assistant Deputy Commissioner Louis Calcagno to cut the ribbon at a new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling station for Parks’ CNG fleet, located in Central Park.

“As part of Mayor Bloomberg's vision for a greener New York City, the Department of Parks & Recreation is proud to use some of the most advanced alternative fuel technologies available for its fleet of vehicles,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Together with the Department of Transportation, we’re working to improve the city’s air quality with new CNG fueling sites at our Central Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park garages. Since transportation accounts for more than 50% of our pollutant emissions, we are dedicated to help reduce these emissions from cars, trucks, and buses by promoting fuel efficiency, cleaner fuels, and cleaner or upgraded engines.”

Parks is the first City agency to use biodiesel agency-wide—all 808 of our trucks that used diesel fuel now use B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD). We are also installing emission reduction equipment such as DPFs and DOCs on many of our vehicles. By the end of this year, we will operate 487 alternative fuel light duty vehicles.

In May, Parks hosted the 19th Annual Vehicle and Equipment Show on Randall’s Island, where more than 130 vendors presented the latest in light and heavy-duty vehicles, including clean and alternative fuel technologies. This project was originally undertaken as part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought against the City and the New York City Department of Sanitation by the United States for violations of the Clean Air Act. Parks recently acquired two Solar Utility Vehicles (SUVs)—the first in any City fleet, donated by BP America.

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Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center