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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Dedicates community gardens in the state of New York as parkland
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor James F. Brennan
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1662
Title of bill
An act to dedicate community gardens as parkland in the state of New York
Purpose
To protect community gardens in New York state from sale to developers by dedicating community gardens as parkland in the municipalities where they are located.
Summary of provisions
Finds that preservation of community gardens in the State of New York is a matter of state concern. Dedicates lots leased for recreational purposes including community gardens by any municipality to community groups for at least one year in the state of New York as parkland of the municipality where they are located. Requires the appropriate Community Board or Local Zoning Board to approve a plot's withdrawal from it's recreational use.
Existing law
Currently, local municipalities own the parcels which are leased recreation a areas. Municipalities may sell such lands for development.
Justification
Opportunities for open space recreation in urban areas, especially the City of New York, are critically lacking. For decades, community volunteers from many communities have cleaned up hundreds of vacant lots and transformed areas of urban blight into areas of respite for the community. These gardens are works of love and are highly valued by the residents. Most of these gardens are located in the City of New York. Unfortunately, the city plans to sell many of these parcels despite their importance to the quality of life in the community. While most of these parcels are currently located in New York city, the problem of urban blight and vacant lots is not unique to the City of New York. It is highly likely that community groups throughout New York state will seek to transform these community eyesores into community gardens. It would be most unfortunate if these groups' hard work and care were undone by local municipalities. Community gardens and safe open spaces are vital to community well-being, happiness and tranquility of residents throughout the State of New York.
Legislative history
S.2499 of 2008 02/06/08 Referred to Cities S.104 of 2009 01/07/09 REFERRED TO CITIES 01/06/10 REFERRED TO CITIES
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.