Looking for a public bathroom near you in NYC? This new map shows you where to find one.
NEW YORK - New York City is making a new effort to make it easier to find a public bathroom for those times when you have to go while on the go.
Mayor Eric Adams announced the "Ur In Luck" program Monday, which he says will expand access to public restrooms across all five boroughs.
The plan includes building 46 new restrooms and renovating 36 more over the next five years:
- 10 will be placed in the Bronx
- 23 in Brooklyn
- 28 in Manhattan
- 14 in Queens
- 7 on Staten Island
Officials say New York City has nearly 1,000 existing public restrooms. The renovations include additional stalls to improving accessibility.
Donna Torres says it doesn't matter that New York City has about 1,000 public restrooms when she repeatedly fails to find a working or accessible one.
"I just hold it, or I run into the laundromat. It's ridiculous. I don't know what's happening with New York in this day and age," Torres said.
"When nature calls, the Parks Department answers," Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
New map shows NYC public bathrooms
As part of the "Ur In Luck" program, there's a new Google Maps integration that shows New Yorkers where they can find a public restroom near them right now. The map will be updated biannually, officials said. It includes restrooms operated by the Parks Department, Department of Transportation, MTA, privately owned public spaces, and the library systems.
The map is similar to one that's been around for three years and was founded by Teddy Siegel.
"I'm so excited that the city is taking action to tackle this crisis," Siegel said.
Siegel's bathroom saga began with an incident in Times Square.
"I was out shopping with my sister when I realized I had to go. I have no idea what to do, or where to go. So after several businesses turned me away, I burst into the McDonald's in tears... . Thank God I made it in time, even though their were points where I didn't think I was going to."
"Part of making New York City a more livable city is tackling the little things — the things we don't think about until we need them," Adams said. "Access to public restrooms is high on that list, maybe even number one or two."
"Everyone — seniors, parents with kids, anyone enjoying the day outdoors, needs access to a public bathroom without having to buy anything or beg for a code," Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said. "Public bathrooms are critical infrastructure for New York City, where people are always out and about. We're making New York City a little easier and more livable, one public restroom at a time."
Officials are also hoping to add 14 new self-cleaning automatic public restrooms citywide.
Siegel and some other members of the public said building new bathrooms, while great, won't be enough. They must remain safe, clean and in working order.
In the past five months, the Parks Department has opened new restrooms at:
- Bronx Point/Mill Pond Park, Bronx
- Starlight Park, Bronx
- Wyckoff House Park, Brooklyn
- Frederick Johnson Playground, Manhattan
- Highbridge Park Adventure Playground, Manhattan
- Maspeth Park, Queens
- Lopez Playground, Staten Island
Just last month, the Parks Department completed adding baby changing tables to all public restrooms in city parks citywide, where feasible. It happened three years ahead of schedule.