Mayor Zohran Mamdani has tapped veteran public servant Tricia Shimamura as the new leader of New York City's massive parks department. The appointment marks a key move in Mamdani's effort to make the city more livable and affordable, with parks touted as one of the few public spaces that remain accessible to all.
For Mamdani, parks are not just places for relaxation, but also hubs for creativity and community. In his words, they serve as "centers of community where all of the people go hand in hand in the beating heart of our city." This vision is shared by Shimamura, who has spent decades fighting on behalf of working-class New Yorkers.
As the new commissioner, Shimamura will oversee 30,000 acres of parkland, playgrounds, and sports courts - essentially the "backyard" for millions of city families. Her platform highlights the importance of parks as a site of affordability, where families can find safe spaces to play, learn, and connect with one another.
Shimamura brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Manhattan borough commissioner for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. Her resume also includes stints as a social worker, senior roles in government, and work at Columbia University.
Mamdani has praised Shimamura's dedication to public service, calling her an "incredible New Yorker" with a record of fighting on behalf of working people. The new commissioner inherits a department that faced funding challenges under the previous administration, but Mamdani has pledged to allocate at least 1% of the city's budget towards parks.
Outgoing Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, who was the first Latina to hold the role, will be remembered for her decades-long service to the department. Her departure marks a significant milestone in the new administration's efforts to revitalize and expand NYC's park system.
For Mamdani, parks are not just places for relaxation, but also hubs for creativity and community. In his words, they serve as "centers of community where all of the people go hand in hand in the beating heart of our city." This vision is shared by Shimamura, who has spent decades fighting on behalf of working-class New Yorkers.
As the new commissioner, Shimamura will oversee 30,000 acres of parkland, playgrounds, and sports courts - essentially the "backyard" for millions of city families. Her platform highlights the importance of parks as a site of affordability, where families can find safe spaces to play, learn, and connect with one another.
Shimamura brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Manhattan borough commissioner for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. Her resume also includes stints as a social worker, senior roles in government, and work at Columbia University.
Mamdani has praised Shimamura's dedication to public service, calling her an "incredible New Yorker" with a record of fighting on behalf of working people. The new commissioner inherits a department that faced funding challenges under the previous administration, but Mamdani has pledged to allocate at least 1% of the city's budget towards parks.
Outgoing Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, who was the first Latina to hold the role, will be remembered for her decades-long service to the department. Her departure marks a significant milestone in the new administration's efforts to revitalize and expand NYC's park system.
. I mean, it's about time we had someone who actually knows what they're doing at the helm of the parks department. Tricia Shimamura is like, a total legend in my book 
. She's been fighting for working-class New Yorkers for decades, and it's about time she gets the recognition she deserves 
. I love how Mayor Mamdani sees parks as more than just a place to relax, he actually wants to create hubs for creativity and community. That's what this city needs - more people coming together 
. And let's be real, someone had to take over Iris Rodriguez-Rosa's shoes after she paved the way for so many others 
. I'm excited to see how Shimamura's gonna shake things up and make NYC's parks even better 
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and I'm still thinking about how beautiful the views were! I mean, have you ever seen a sunset over a lake? It's like the whole world is on fire 
. Anyway, what's really cool about this park appointment is that Tricia Shimamura is all about making spaces for community, which reminds me of these tiny coffee shops in Brooklyn that are just hubs for creatives and artists 
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. And can we talk about how important parks are for a sense of belonging? I feel like when you're walking through a park, you're not thinking about the rent or the job or anything else... it's all just about being present 
. Oh, and did I tell you my friend just got a new dog?!
. I think this move shows that Mayor Mamdani is serious about making NY City more livable, especially for working-class families 
. Tricia Shimamura seems like the right person for the job, with her background in social work and government experience 
. But what's up with the 1% park funding pledge? Is that just a token gesture or does Mamdani really plan to follow through on it? 
. We need concrete action from the mayor if we want to see real change in our parks 
Mamdani & Shimamura r like a match made in heaven 
. it's all about makin' NYC more livable & affordable for every1 
. shimamura's got some awesome experience under her belt, & i love that she's fightin' on behalf of working-class newyorkers 
Parks are literally the heart of the city, you know? They're not just places to hang out and relax, they're hubs for creativity and community 
And with Shimamura at the helm, I think we can expect some real changes around here 
this is amazing news! Tricia Shimamura is gonna bring so much positivity and community spirit to the parks department 
I'm super stoked for her and can't wait to see what she does with those 30,000 acres of parkland 
Shimamura's experience is insane, she's done it all from social worker to government roles... I'm so ready to see what she does with this department! 
can't wait to see some changes in the park system
. Shimamura's commitment to affordability and community is exactly what our city needs right now 
!
. I mean, who doesn't need a safe space to chill with their fam or learn some new skills? 
. They're community hubs, creativity centers... what's not to love? 
. And can we talk about how amazing it is that Mayor Mamdani is prioritizing affordability in his plans? It's like, we need more safe spaces for families and communities to thrive 
but Tricia is ready to carry the torch! 
I'm so stoked about this appointment! Tricia Shimamura sounds like an absolute legend 
I'm not entirely convinced that this is the best move for Mamdani's vision of making NYC more livable and affordable. Don't get me wrong, parks are super important, but 1% of the budget might just be a drop in the bucket. 
Plus, I've been seeing a lot of hype around "green spaces" lately and it feels like it's just another buzzword. 
How do we actually measure the impact of investing in parks?