parks department

An increase in significant storms and more frequent severe weather has caused a sharp spike in damaged or fallen trees across NYC. According to the Parks Department, many trees are now needing removal, exemplified by reports of fallen trees in Prospect Park.

A large tree fell on a Gramercy roadway in Manhattan on Monday morning, blocking the street and damaging parked cars. FDNY responded, using cutting tools to clear the debris, but traffic remained blocked into the afternoon. The incident occurred during heavy rain and impending flood warnings across New York City.

The Red Hook Pool in Brooklyn has failed to open on time for the second consecutive summer due to flooding in its filters, with repairs ongoing and a reopening expected by late July. Other city pools, including Haffen Park in The Bronx and Tony Dapolito in Manhattan, also remain closed for reconstruction. The pool will continue to serve as a Department of Education site for free lunches.

Sharks were spotted at Rockaway Beach in NYC for two consecutive days, with some sections closed to swimming. The Parks Department confirmed sightings via drones on Friday morning, following similar reports the previous day.

A decades-old New York City policy requires NYPD officers to be present to open public pools, resulting in over 200 instances of delayed officer arrivals last summer. Parks employees reported these delays, highlighting the policy's operational challenges.