Report: Parks In Mott Haven Are In Bad Shape
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A new report released Thursday found parks in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx are in desperate need of attention.
The nonprofit New Yorkers for Parks said 71 percent of maintenance inspections were found to be acceptable in the neighborhood, compared to a standard of 85 percent.
The Wall Street Journal reported the 35-acre St. Mary's Park in Mott Haven – the largest in that neighborhood -- earned an acceptable rate of 59 percent.
"However, even if we exclude St. Mary's, the neighborhood parks still fall short of Index standards," the report said. "Of the 12 pocket and neighborhood parks in Mott Haven, nine had at least one overall unacceptable rating, and eight had at least one unacceptable cleanliness rating."
The report said small pocket parks and playgrounds in Mott Haven "consistently underperform" other similar parks around the city.
Throughout Mott Haven, the borough's poorest community board district, parks lacked landscaping, trees and equipment, the report said.
The group's executive director, Tupper Thomas, said, ``The parks are OK but it could be amazing.''
A spokesman said Mayor Bill de Blasio believes every New Yorker deserves access to clean and well-maintained parks no matter where they live.
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