Senator Serrano's Park Protection Legislation Passes State Senate

José M. Serrano

May 18, 2015

Environment

(Albany, NY) - On Monday, May 18th, the New York State Senate passed Senator José M. Serrano's bill S705, which limits the ability of municipalities to alienate or sell off parkland without following established procedures--including the replacement of public parkland.

Serrano's legislation makes the process of acquiring public park space for private use more rigorous and transparent. The bill would require a municipality to provide proper documentation to authorize a sale of public park space. In addition, the municipality would be held accountable for replacing the lost green space with a park of equal or greater size.

"As the Ranking Member of the Senate's Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks & Recreation, I am happy that this important bill has passed the Senate. By passing this legislation, the Senate has shown a commitment to protecting our parks and green spaces, and in doing so, protecting the tremendous recreational and educational opportunities they provide. This legislation will protect parkland by ensuring that we suffer no net loss of parkland when an alienation process goes forth," said Senator Serrano." Many thanks to Assemblymember Steve Englebright for sponsoring the bill in the New York State Assembly."

Senator Serrano is a vocal proponent of our beloved parks and green spaces. With the bill having passed the New York State Senate, for the second year in a row, it is now referred to the New York State Assembly for a vote.

To view Senator Serrano's bill, CLICK HERE.

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