The city will go green in tribute to essential park workers with an iconic lighting of the Empire State Building and other elements across the city.
From New York City to San Francisco, and around the world, park workers have continued to maintain parks in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The tribute #GoingGreenForParkies is a thank you for all their hard work. The lighting will take place May 21 at sunset, approximately 8:12 p.m.
“More than ever, city parks and greenspaces have proven to be critical infrastructure, places of refuge, and park workers have been on the front lines keeping these sanctuaries of sanity open here in New York, across the country and around the world,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “In honor of the tremendous work they put in every day, we are proud to work with the Empire State Building to light New York City green in honor of parkies near and far!”
The #GoingGreenForParkies celebration will include the following lightings in New York City:
the Empire State Building
the Arsenal (Central Park)*
Washington Square Park Arch*
the Parachute Jump (Coney Island Boardwalk)
Ranaqua Park (Bronx)*
*NYC Parks’ elements will be lit through the end of June.
In addition to the five lightings, NYC Parks is putting out a call to those who love green spaces to wear green when visiting their favorite park this Thursday and to share a thank you on social media platforms using #GoingGreenForParkies. Parks will share the love by featuring shoutouts on its social media channels @NYCParks.
NYC Parks staff have been out every day keeping the city’s green spaces open for all visitors. In addition to continuing standard roles and responsibilities during the pandemic, Parks staff assisted with standing up field hospitals, operating GetFood distribution sites, with more than 13 million meals distributed, educating park goers about safe social distancing and handing out face coverings.
