Press Releases

Installation completed 3 years ahead of legislative deadline, makes parks more accessible and welcoming for families.

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue today joined Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., at Hunt’s Point Playground in the Bronx, to celebrate the successful installation of new baby changing tables in all Parks public restrooms where feasible. With the installation of 600 new changing tables completed this year, Parks has met the City Council’s call for changing stations in all Parks’ restrooms, more than three years ahead of the deadline. This installation reaffirms NYC Parks’ commitment to equity and access, providing safer and healthier public spaces.

"All parents and caregivers know that when your child's diaper needs changing, having a clean and safe space is the bottom line. We recognize that baby changing stations are a vital amenity for parents looking to keep their little ones happy and healthy, which is why we have made diaper changing stations available in more than 1,200 park restrooms," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "The cleanliness and accessibility of our restrooms are top priorities for NYC Parks, ensuring New Yorkers can enjoy their time outdoors with comfort and convenience.”

“As a father, this issue was deeply personal to me, as I experienced first-hand the struggles of finding a clean and safe space where I could change my son’s diaper while visiting one of our City’s parks. Considering how many young children utilize our parks, it has been far too common to see parents changing their children on park benches because the bathrooms have lacked the proper stations. I knew I needed to take action, so I introduced a bill, Intro 128, that now requires the city to install at least one changing station in all park bathrooms, and within both men’s and women’s bathrooms. I am so happy to be here today celebrating the installation of these changing stations thanks in large part to the commitment of Commissioner Donoghue and the NYC Parks Department to see this project through,” said New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

In 2020, Parks inventoried public restrooms and determined that only 37% of the roughly 1,300 restrooms under our care offered changing tables. After these findings, Parks worked to rectify this critical gap in service, purchasing and installing 600 baby changing tables. Baby changing stations are now a standard feature installed in any newly built or renovated Parks restroom. According to a recent Citywide Bathroom Study, 73 percent of New York City residents are within a 10 –minute walk of a Parks public restroom.

Last year, Local Law 56 was passed, formalizing NYC Parks’ efforts to install baby changing stations in every restroom located in a city park wherever feasible. Currently, Parks has baby changing tables in 90 percent of restrooms including men’s, women’s, and all-gender facilities. These baby changing stations are accessible to anybody caring for a child to ensure everyone feels valued and respected. The new tables are highly durable, easy to clean, moisture resistant, and ADA compliant. Crafted with a high-density polyethylene interior and brushed stainless steel exterior, the changing tables are naturally resistant to bacteria, ensuring easy sanitization due to their smooth surfaces that prevent dirt buildup in crevices. With a load capacity of 250 lbs., they offer convenience for families, or caregivers, to safely place changing bags and other items while attending to their children.

The legislation exempted locations that either lacked sufficient wall space or had been repeatedly vandalized.

NYC Parks stands as the largest provider of public restrooms in New York City, hosting roughly 70% of the City's public facilities within our parks. Parks is committed to enhancing restroom availability to help ensure our parks are responsive to human needs and can support sports activities, community gatherings and special events for the public.

To view the full list of restrooms in parks, please visit our public restrooms page.