Brooklyn, despite its renowned parks, faces a significant challenge with its “recreation deserts,” as highlighted by a recent report from the Center for an Urban Future (CUF). Recreation deserts are areas where residents have limited access to recreational facilities, impacting their physical and mental health.
Identifying Recreation Deserts in Brooklyn
According to CUF, two community districts in Brooklyn are classified as recreation deserts. These include:
- Community Board 12: Covers Midwood, Borough Park, Kensington, and Ocean Parkway, with only 41 facilities compared to the citywide average of 150.
- Community Board 9: Encompasses Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Wingate, featuring 48 facilities.
In contrast, Community Board 3, which includes Bed-Stuy, has 190 facilities. Key amenities lacking in these communities include soccer pitches, cricket pitches, volleyball courts, and swimming pools.
Impact of Limited Recreation Facilities
Eli Dvorkin, CUF’s Editorial & Policy Director, emphasizes that the scarcity of facilities obstructs access for low-income families, which is crucial for overall well-being. He noted, “Today, Brooklynites, like all New Yorkers, are moving less and feeling more isolated.”
Funding Challenges for Recreation
Funding for recreation in New York City has drastically declined over the past 50 years, plummeting from 31% of the NYC Parks Department’s budget to just 5.3%. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposed budget for parks allocates $654 million, which falls short of the 1% he pledged during his campaign. This represents a cut of $33.7 million from the current budget.
Both Mayor Mamdani and his predecessor, Eric Adams, promised to restore the funding to 1%, but significant cuts have complicated these efforts. Dvorkin argues that NYC Parks should dedicate at least 20% of its budget to recreation, similar to cities like Chicago and Philadelphia.
Decline in Participation in Recreation Programs
Participation in NYC’s recreation programs has seen a severe decline, with visits to recreation centers decreasing by almost 40% since 2019. This drop reflects an underfunded system rather than a lack of demand. Staffing shortages and maintenance issues have hindered programming, resulting in growing waitlists for children’s activities.
State of Swimming Facilities
The number of recreation staff has fallen from 2,000 to 660, exacerbating challenges in maintaining pool facilities. Lifeguard shortages have led to pool closures across the city each summer since the pandemic began. Currently, metropolitan pools, like the one in Williamsburgh, have been closed for repairs for over a year, creating a public health concern in a borough with limited indoor swimming options.
Advocates argue that lack of access to local pools can lead to dire consequences, underscoring the importance of swimming safety education.
Progress and Future Commitments
Despite the challenges, progress is evident. NYC Parks has pledged $3.5 billion for upgrading recreation centers, pools, and other facilities. Significant projects include the renovation of the Brownsville Recreation Center and the opening of the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, which provides essential amenities for community recreation.
Year-Round Programming Needs
To effectively combat the issue of recreation deserts, local nonprofits advocate for continuous sports training and programming throughout the year. Nzingha Prescod, founder of a fencing academy, points out the critical impact that ongoing training can have on children’s lives.
Innovative Solutions to Recreation Deserts
Citing the report, Dvorkin suggests innovative strategies that include integrating recreation facilities with new transportation developments, offering free classes to library cardholders, and promoting recreational activities as preventive health measures. He believes recreation can play a vital role in addressing societal challenges.
