New York City has sharply cut its investment in public recreation over the years, leaving communities with fewer facilities, staff and programs amid growing demand, a new report from the according to a new report from the Center for an Urban Future.
NYC Parks’ budget on recreation has plummeted from to 5.3% today from 31% in the mid-1960s. At the same time, full-time recreation staff have fallen to 659 from almost 2,000, the report said.
“Public recreation is one of the most powerful tools the city has to improve health, reduce disparities and strengthen social connection,” said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. “But for decades, it has been treated as an afterthought. Restoring recreation as a core civic priority is essential to building a healthier and more equitable New York.”
Compared with other major U.S. cities, New York spends far less on recreation. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and Minneapolis spend 5–15 times more per capita. Most cities maintain one recreation center per 50,000 residents or fewer; in NYC, the ratio exceeds 200,000 to 1.
The pandemic worsened the decline. Since 2019:
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Pool attendance is down 43%
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Rec center visits dropped 38%
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Offsite recreational programming fell 45%
Reopenings, like the Astoria Pool in 2024, show demand spikes when facilities return, but overall, fewer New Yorkers are using the city’s recreation centers than 50 years ago.
The report lays out a blueprint to rebuild recreation in NYC, including:
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Allocating 20% of the Parks budget to recreation and creating a citywide Recreation Master Plan
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Activating underused public spaces, including schools and waterfronts, especially around the 2026 World Cup
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Building new rec facilities in underserved neighborhoods
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Launching library-based Rec Passes for free access to classes and pools
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Expanding summer day camps to at least 5,000 children
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Partnering with healthcare providers to “prescribe” recreation for wellness
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Establishing a Recreation Investment Fund to attract private funding
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Restoring staff cuts and adding full-time positions
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Creating pipelines for recreation careers through CUNY, high schools, and youth employment programs
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Supporting nonprofits with long-term permits and space access
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Introducing mobile and modular amenities to bring recreation directly to neighborhoods.
The report, Putting the “Rec” Back in NYC Parks & Recreation, urges the Mamdani administration to make recreation a priority again, noting its role in improving health, reducing disparities and strengthening social connections. While recent additions like the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Flatbush mark progress, the report says more is needed to meet demand, some programs already have waiting lists and Asphalt Green turns away 1,000 young athletes annually.
CUF, a think tank, based its findings on interviews with more than 75 leaders from parks alliances, nonprofits, and community groups across all five boroughs, plus analysis of NYC Parks data. The report was funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
