NYC landmarks will ‘go green’ to honor parks workers
Photo (cropped) by Arturo Pardavila III via Flickr cc
At sunset on Thursday, May 21, the Empire State Building, Central Park Arsenal, Washington Square Park Arch, Coney Island’s Parachute Jump, and the Bronx’s Ranaqua Park will “go green” to honor parks workers, who have been part of the city’s essential workforce during the current COVID crisis. #GoingGreenForParkies “is the ultimate acknowledgment and thank you for all their hard work,” which has kept public parks well-maintained “in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors,” according to a press release.
Outside of NYC, San Francisco Parks and Rec is also #GoingGreenForParkies; they’re lighting up City Hall, the Coit Tower, Conservatory, and possibly the Salesforce Tower, the city’s tallest building.
In addition to the lightings, which will occur at approximately 8:12pm, the Parks Department is encouraging New Yorkers to wear green on Thursday when visiting their favorite parks and share thank yous on social media using #GoingGreenForParkies.
Fourteen percent of NYC’s land is occupied by parks, and the Parks Department maintains these 30,000 acres of land. During the current pandemic, in addition to regular tasks, Parks employees have been helping to hand out face masks, set up field hospitals, distribute food, and educate the public about social distancing.
“More than ever, city parks and greenspaces have proven to be critical infrastructure, places of refuge, and park workers have been on the frontlines keeping these sanctuaries of sanity open here in New York, across the country and around the world,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.
The Central Park Arsenal, Washington Square Park Arch, and Ranaqua will remain lit in green through the end of June.
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