Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro: “We’re still number one!”
Parks Department confirms Staten Island leads in City parks acreage
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today proudly declared that Staten Island remains the ‘Borough of Parks,’ leading the other boroughs in City parks acreage.
The Parks Department confirmed yesterday that Staten Island has 7,286 acres of City parkland – not including Fresh Kills. Queens has the second-most City parkland at 7,269 acres.
“In 2001, Staten Island surpassed Queens as the borough with the most City parkland,” said Borough President Molinaro. “Staten Island’s title as the ‘Borough of Parks’ is well-earned. Of our 38,507 acres of land, 12,144 acres are in parks. That means one-third of our Borough is protected parkland that can never be developed.”
Staten Island’s parks acreage is as follows:
* City Parks 7,286 acres
* State Parks 307 acres
* State DEC Natural Areas 577 acres
* Federal Parks 1,330 acres
* Bluebelt Lands 249 acres
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Current Total 9,749 acres
* Add new Bluebelts 195 acres
* Add Fresh Kills property 2,200 acres
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New Grand Total 12,144 acres
“At the present time, we are adding three new Bluebelts with 195 acres, and the former Fresh Kills landfill property at 2,200 acres,” said Molinaro. “These acquisitions will boost the parks and open space total to 12,144 acres. Among the five boroughs, Staten Island has been the most successful in protecting open space against growing urban pressures. We’re proud to retain the title of New York City’s greenest borough!”
July 8, 2008