Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10 a.m. (New York City time), 250 Broadway - 8th Floor - Hearing Room 1
Committee: Committee on Parks and Recreation
The Committee on Parks and Recreation, chaired by Council Member Ty Hankerson, held an oversight hearing on the Parks Department's special events permitting process, including application requirements, fees, denial rates, staffing, enforcement, and impacts on park users. The committee also considered Intro 927, sponsored by Council Members Brooks-Powers and Schulman, which would rename Shorefront Parkway in Far Rockaway back to Edgemere Avenue; a statement from Council Member Brooks-Powers was read into the record. Parks Department officials, led by Deputy Commissioner David Sarah, testified that denials make up less than 1% of roughly 24,000 permits processed annually, described recent process improvements, and committed to follow up on several data requests. Public testimony was heard from two witnesses, and no votes were recorded in the transcript.
0:19 The vote. Hello. Good morning.
0:19 Welcome to today's New York
0:22 City Council heron photo
0:24 committee on parks and
0:26 recreation at this time,
0:28 please. Sounds old phones if
0:29 you wish to speak in today's
0:32 hearing. Please fill out an
0:33 appearance card with one of
0:34 the sergeants moving forward
0:36 no one is to approach the days
0:38 chair. You begin. Good morning
0:42 . Thank you. Good morning. All
0:45 my name is jai Hankerson. I
0:46 serve as a chair on the
0:48 committee of parks are
0:49 recreation
0:50 . Today hearing will focus on
0:52 the process, the parks
0:53 department uses
0:53 . To determine the types of
0:55 events that take place within
0:56 our city's parks and what the
0:58 resulting costs and benefits
0:59 are to the park system
1:02 . The occurrence of cultural
1:03 and recreational programming
1:04 such as art festivals, films
1:06 and concerts have always been
1:08 a core feature of the City
1:11 park system.
1:12 Most of these events are
1:12 free and sometimes run by
1:16 parks itself or through
1:16 assuming this public private
1:18 partners. However, some of
1:19 these events are also pay for.
1:23 Events that include
1:23 thousands of participants and
1:25 often run by event promoters
1:27 that have a permit with the
1:31 parks, there's a multi faceted
1:32 process for proving these
1:34 various events, for example,
1:36 any event with more than 20
1:37 participants at minimum
1:38 requires a specially been
1:40 permit for a nonrefundable $25
1:44 fee as the event grows more
1:45 complex, so does the process
1:47 in the case of large events
1:49 that involved more than 500
1:51 participants or maybe
1:52 commercial in nature parks
1:55 imposes additional
1:55 requirements that must be
1:56 fulfilled before a permit is
2:00 issued. These can include fees
2:01 based on the concession for
2:03 sorry concession fee schedule
2:04 and additional insurance or
2:08 bonding obligations.
2:09 Furthermore, depending on the
2:10 scope, location and size of
2:12 the event additional permits
2:14 from agencies like the
2:14 department of buildings or
2:17 police department for
2:18 potential security concerns be
2:22 necessary. Aside from the
2:23 substance of the event. Other
2:25 requirements can factor in if
2:26 food and merchandise is
2:28 expected to be sold a simple
2:30 use authorization permit is
2:34 required a fee for this permit
2:35 is negotiated with parks based
2:36 on several factors, including
2:37 the number of vendors at the
2:38 event estimated attendance and
2:40 the prices of the items being
2:42 sold once all the requirements
2:43 have been met by the applicant
2:45 parks will issue a special
2:47 event permit at their
2:51 discretion, the complexity of
2:52 this process can sometimes be
2:53 problematic from both the side
2:54 of the event applicant and the
2:59 parks department as it mus
2:59 twalk a fine line towards
3:00 maintaining a vibrant park's
3:02 environment that also
3:03 prioritizes equitable access
3:04 to all New yorkers. You've
3:07 been applicants, especially
3:08 smallerommu cnity based wants
3:09 often cite issues with not
3:10 being able to fully understand
3:12 what is required to secur
3:14 epermit
3:14 . Not understanding the
3:15 reasons as to why they have
3:19 been denied. Historically,
3:20 they have. Excuse me. There
3:21 have been concerns raised
3:23 about the amount of parkland
3:25 used for large, ticketed
3:27 events, the amount of revenue
3:28 being generated for the event
3:29 and the condition of parking
3:30 left in after the event
3:33 concludes damage resulting
3:34 from large crowds, vehicles
3:34 ,vendors and bad weather during
3:37 parkland unusable for extended
3:41 periods of time. This has
3:44 sometimes of many community
3:44 members concerned that some
3:46 large and commercial events
3:47 can deprive New yorkers of
3:49 quality access to green space.
3:52 I hope this hearing results
3:53 in having a better
3:54 understanding of how parks
3:56 goes about approving special
3:57 events. What the overall costs
3:58 and benefits are to the cities
4:00 open
4:01 . Space and whether there are
4:02 ways we can improve the
4:03 process to ensure the events
4:07 are accessible to all and are
4:08 always respect, sees me alway
4:09 srespectful to the parks where
4:11 they occur and to the
4:12 communities they occur in. I'd
4:14 also like to note that we will
4:15 consider a bill unrelated t
4:16 othis topic, but an important
4:19 one, regardless, intro number
4:21 9 2 7, sponsored by my
4:22 colleagues council, Brooks
4:23 Powers and council in berlin,
4:26 shulman.
4:26 Would officially renamed
4:27 shorefront parkway between
4:28 beach 30 seconds street and
4:30 beach 56 place as edge Mayor
4:32 avenue. This would restore the
4:34 street to its original and
4:37 historical name and clear up a
4:38 lot of confusion specificall
4:39 yrelating to mail delivery that
4:40 has arisen over the years I'd
4:42 like to welcome the
4:44 administration and the
4:45 advocates that are here t
4:47 otestify today. Thank you again
4:52 , I do have a statement from,
4:52 uh, counter number of Brooks
4:55 Powers regarding our bill. I'm
4:59 going to read it for me at
5:00 home. Thank you. And members
5:02 of the committee on parks,
5:04 recreation for hearing intro.
5:07 907 Today is a simple bill
5:09 renaming shorefront parkway to
5:10 edgewood avenue between beach
5:12 32 and b 56 place and far
5:15 rockaway, queens. We're
5:16 requesting that short front
5:16 parkway be renamed back to
5:18 edge avenue. The name it held
5:20 until a 20 24 renaming because
5:22 the current street name is not
5:24 consistently recognized by
5:25 google maps and other address
5:28 systems. This address
5:29 discrepancy results in a of
5:31 mail and packages challenges
5:33 for emergency responders and
5:35 City service responders.
5:36 Excuse me, City service
5:37 providers to locate properties
5:37 quickly and accurately, uh,
5:41 and disruptions to essential
5:42 services that rely on
5:44 validated address it addresses
5:47 , including utility and
5:48 insurance providers restoring
5:49 of the street name to edge
5:51 near avenue would align the
5:52 address with commonly
5:53 recognized mailing and mapping
5:55 databases improve public
5:56 safety and eliminate
5:57 operational issues for futur
5:58 eresidents and businesses,
6:02 notably this, this stretch of
6:03 street runs along the future
6:04 site of our burn east, a multi
6:07 development that will
6:08 transform 116 acres of vacant
6:10 land into 1650 New housing
6:13 units, including 80%
6:15 affordable housing
6:15 . We like to hear that as well
6:17 as cohort coop homeownership
6:20 opportunities. This change
6:21 will address future challenges
6:22 for the developers future
6:23 residents and businesses at
6:25 auburn ease. Thank you, sylvia
6:26 Brooks Powers. All right with
6:29 that. Uh, we want to swear in
6:34 the administration what they
6:38 testified, thank a chair wit
6:38 hthe representatives of the
6:39 parks department. Please raise
6:40 your right hand if you're abl
6:41 e, do you affirm to tell the
6:43 truth, the whole truth and
6:44 nothing but the truth in your
6:46 testimony before this
6:46 committee and to respond
6:48 honestly to Council Member of
6:52 questions this. Thank you very
6:53 much you begin when ready.
6:58 Thank you. Good morning chair
6:58 .Hankerson, members of the
6:59 parks committee and other
7:00 members of the City Council
7:01 . My name is David sarah,
7:04 deputy commissioner for
7:05 activation environment and
7:06 planning for parks. I'm joined
7:09 today by aaron mctiernan, our
7:11 director of citywide special
7:12 event permits and policy and
7:15 gabriella kapo from our City
7:17 wide legislative affairs team.
7:18 We are pleased to be here to
7:22 testify today
7:22 . As you be aware this past
7:24 summer season wasn't
7:25 exceptionally exciting one for
7:27 me parks as our beaches, pool
7:29 s
7:30 , parks, athletic fields and
7:32 playgrounds.
7:32 Were as busy as they've ever
7:36 been.
7:36 In addition to experiencin
7:37 gonce in a lifetime
7:38 celebrations like the 2026
7:42 world cup and sail forth 250
7:44 or taking advantage of the
7:45 free recreational summer
7:48 programming offered by the
7:48 agency throughout our parks.
7:50 Yorkers also made the most of
7:52 our shared public spaces t
7:54 oenjoy family picnics,
7:55 barbecues and birthday parties
8:01 , concerts, festivals and
8:02 other special.
8:02 Events were are proud of the
8:04 role that our parks play in
8:05 the city's cultural landscape
8:08 ,and we believe that special
8:09 events are an incredible way
8:10 to bring New yorkers out t
8:12 oenjoy their local park, which
8:14 helps keep those spaces
8:15 activated and vibrant for the
8:18 purposes of today's oversight
8:20 hearing would like to offer a
8:22 brief overview over agency
8:23 special events permitting
8:26 process.
8:27 We recognize that special
8:28 events can provide tremendous
8:29 added value to our park system
8:31 . So we strive to make the
8:31 permitting process is
8:34 transparent and efficient as
8:37 possible are permitting stuff
8:38 works directly with event
8:40 organizers to make their
8:41 events of reality while
8:43 ensuring that proposed evesnt
8:45 are appropriate
8:46 . And avoid negative impacts
8:47 on our beloved open spaces
8:51 .any park event expected to
8:51 have more than 20 attendees is
8:53 required to have a special
8:57 event permit.
8:57 Though permits are also
8:58 available for groups of any
9:00 size, hoping to reserve a
9:01 specific area in a park.
9:04 Anyone can apply for a
9:05 special event permit from the
9:08 agency from organizations
9:09 planning a large event for the
9:11 public to families looking to
9:13 host smaller political parties
9:14 . Weddings where unions or
9:18 barbecues, and it is this
9:18 latter category of smaller
9:20 events
9:20 . That makes up the vast
9:22 majority of permanent request
9:23 ssubmitted to the agency.
9:26 Permit applications are
9:26 typically submitted through a
9:28 dedicated page on our agency
9:31 website
9:32 . There's a $25 processing fee
9:34 for permit applications
9:35 . Which allows the City t
9:36 orecoup some of the costs of
9:39 processing applications and
9:40 helps discourage attempts to
9:41 monopolize permit citywide and
9:45 for the majority of permit
9:46 requests this nominal fee is
9:47 the only cost for an applicant
9:49 to be able to hold their
9:53 events most special event
9:53 permit requests are processed
9:54 by staff in our permit offices
9:56 in each of the five boroughs
9:59 to ensure there is ample time
10:01 to properly review and discuss
10:02 proposed event details wit
10:03 hall necessary stakeholders
10:07 which might include other City
10:09 agencies or construction
10:09 contractors working on site.
10:12 We require permit requests
10:13 for typical permit events to
10:14 be submitted at least 21 days
10:17 in advance.
10:17 The duration of the request
10:19 review for each permit from
10:21 submission to approval can
10:22 bury, depending on the scope
10:24 and complexity of the event
10:27 being submitted the volume of
10:28 permit applications being
10:29 processed by the permit
10:32 offices. Similarly, it is not
10:34 uncommon for an event proposal
10:36 to evolve and iterate as event
10:38 organizers provide more
10:39 rrequires additional dialogu
10:43 ewith other entities, such as
10:46 the use of amplified sound for
10:48 an event which requires nypd
10:51 approval
10:52 . As such, we ask the people
10:53 apply with as much adle time
10:55 as possible to ensure they can
10:57 secure their desired dates and
10:59 keep in mind that the final
11:01 permit approvals and issuances
11:03 are typically not issued until
11:04 closer to the event dating
11:08 . However, the agency does
11:09 everything in its power t
11:10 oexpedite the review and
11:12 approval permit requests and
11:14 even though applicants are
11:14 asked to submit requests at
11:16 least 21 days in advance. This
11:19 does not mean that a given
11:20 request will take that long to
11:22 approve. We are pleased to
11:24 report that outright denials
11:26 of special implements are
11:28 exceedingly rare
11:28 . Making up less than 1% of
11:32 the permits processed by the
11:33 agency.
11:34 And in the event that
11:35 proposed event location is
11:38 already permitted for another
11:41 event we are nearly always
11:42 able to work with the
11:44 applicant to identify
11:46 alternative locations, support
11:47 dates for their event to carry
11:51 for.
11:51 Though the majority of our
11:52 thousands of special event
11:53 permits each year are issued
11:56 for small picnics, barbecues
11:57 and birthday parties are parks
11:59 also served as the location
12:01 for larger events with a more
12:05 expansive reach, such as
12:06 concerts and set up in
12:09 festivals, though these larger
12:10 events present additional
12:11 considerations for the agency
12:13 review. We feel that
12:14 activating our parks with a
12:16 wide range of recreational and
12:18 cultural activity helps make
12:19 them more robust and dynamic
12:21 public spaces for everyone to
12:25 enjoy.
12:25 To ensure that larger event
12:26 permit requests can
12:29 . Handled can be handled
12:30 consistently and fairly any
12:32 event expected to have over
12:35 500 attendees is permanent
12:35 through our City wide special
12:39 against team.
12:39 Given that these events are
12:40 considerably more complex than
12:41 a typical small event,
12:44 potentially disrupting access
12:45 to a park or.
12:46 Even resulting in damage t
12:49 othe park permit applicants for
12:50 large events need to provide
12:52 additional information to the
12:55 agency, including a
12:56 preliminary plan preliminary
12:57 site map and production
12:59 schedule, proof of commercial
13:02 general liability insurance
13:03 submission of a security bond
13:05 to be held against damages
13:06 . Incurred in payment of a
13:09 site on the concession be
13:10 schedule established by the
13:13 rules
13:13 . Additionally, depending o
13:14 nthe proposed components of
13:16 events applicants need to
13:18 secure ancillary permits from
13:20 other City, such as the fire
13:22 department for use of a
13:24 generator department of
13:24 buildings for installation of
13:26 a large structure, the police
13:29 department for safety or the
13:30 department of health and
13:31 mental hygiene for foo
13:34 ddistribution
13:35 . We collaborate often with
13:36 our sister agencies and are in
13:37 constant communication with
13:38 them when it comes to moving
13:40 permit applications for
13:41 . We always try to work with
13:43 applications thwarted outcome