| Releases
& Statements
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2007
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #: 041-2007
Public Advocate Gotbaum Works for Cleaner, Safer New York Beaches
-PA Gotbaum, New Yorkers for Parks Visit Brighton Beach-
BROOKLYN -- Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today called upon the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to implement measures to make New York beaches cleaner. Public Advocate Gotbaum, joined by New Yorkers for Parks, made her call while working with Community Board 13 to clean Brighton Beach’s seaside. The Public Advocate also cited a mid-July Report Card from New Yorkers for Parks, which gave Coney Island/Brighton Beach the second lowest grade of all New York’s public beaches.
The New Yorkers for Parks’ Report Card on Beaches graded the seven public beaches on four criteria: shorelines, pathways, bathrooms and drinking fountains. Coney Island/Brighton Beach earned an “Unsatisfactory” on the Report Card. With just weeks remaining in the summer beach season, Public Advocate Gotbaum is calling for immediate action to provide beachgoers with a safer, cleaner environment.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, “Public waterfront areas in New York are precious. I am alarmed by the unsatisfactory ratings for these public beaches. The Parks Department should be providing New York beachgoers with a safe and clean experience — and the beaches are not measuring up. Is it too much to ask that beachgoers have clear pathways, working public bathrooms, and clean and safe sand for their families to enjoy?”
Christian DiPalermo, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks said, “New York City’s beaches need some help. Unfortunately, our inspections reveal that only one of the seven City beaches is in satisfactory condition, where the bathrooms are open, lifeguards are present, and the beach is free of litter. We hope the City will continue to increase its investment in beaches for all New Yorkers.”
The Public Advocate and New Yorkers for Parks offer several recommendations to help clean up New York beaches:
• Establish a NYC Beach User’s Guide to provide essential health, safety, and user information to beachgoers;
• Recruit more life guards by offering competitive salaries, ensuring a transparent training and hiring process, and implementing best practices from other cities;
• Decrease water pollution by addressing sewage overflow and improve maintenance of City beach bathrooms.
New Yorkers for Parks is an independent watchdog for the City parks, beaches and playgrounds. For nearly 100 years, New Yorkers for Parks has worked to ensure greener, safer, cleaner parks for all New Yorkers. To read their full Report Card on New York beaches, visit http://www.ny4p.org/. The Public Advocate will continue to call on Parks Department to provide cleaner, safer spaces for New Yorkers to enjoy.
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