Why parks and opens spaces matter
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It’s summer! With more daylight hours and warmer weather, I hope you’ve been able to spend time enjoying our beautiful parks, playgrounds, preserves, and beaches. Easy access to these recreational spaces are a big part of why so many of us chose to live here. Public parks bring people together and build close-knit and healthier communities. They’re where our kids play soccer, softball, or flag football and where we meet other families from all over town.
I know how important parks and open spaces are to a community. From my first job with the New York City Parks Department, to my most recent work with a non-profit planning municipal parks, playgrounds, and open space, a good portion of my career has focused on parks and recreation. I know these investments enhance quality of life and play a real role in bolstering property values.
Preserving our community spaces requires thoughtful planning — taking care of what we have while making smart improvements that serve residents today and for generations to come. It also means recognizing that not every space should be built out. Our parks and green spaces should be protected — not treated as opportunities for overdevelopment.
As your State Senator, you can count on me to protect the spaces that define our communities — because thriving neighborhoods depend on them.
I’d love to hear from you. What parks and outdoor spaces matter most to you and your family?
Warmly,
Jill