Congresswoman Maloney Introduces Legislation to Help Cities Transform Vacant Lots Into Parks and Gardens

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Revitalizing Cities Through Parks Enhancement (RECIPE) Act which would establish a grant program to help non-profit community groups establish small community gardens and parks. The grant program will help obtain leases for vacant, municipally owned lots and provide funding for their transformations.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has showed us more than ever that neighborhoods in New York City and many urban communities around the country are in dire need of safe, green community spaces where people can gather," said Rep. Maloney. "Most cities don't have the resources to create these community parks, so it's our responsibility to step-up to the challenge. We have the power to turn vacant lots into gardens and parks which will beautify our neighborhoods, increase property values, and provide safe, clean areas for our children to play. Open spaces and community parks are a critical part of urban infrastructure. My RECIPE Act has the power to do good for so many communities at home in New York and across the United States."

"I represent a District that is one of the densest in New York City yet has one of the smallest amounts of green space. Supporting our parks and creating new green spaces is critical for the health and quality of life for our community on the East Side and for communities across the country. I applaud Congresswoman Maloney for championing the RECIPE Act and support this legislation which will empower cities across the country to build more green space and give them the resources to take care of it," said Council Member Julie Menin.

"Public space is vital to the health of a neighborhood. Through Rep. Maloney's RECIPE Act we are expanding public space in the form of community gardens. The Lower East Side has always been home to many of our community gardens, and we should only work to bring on the creation of more. We are reclaiming public space for and by the people," said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

"Community gardens and shared green spaces are integral to the fabric and identity of our neighborhoods. I am grateful to Congresswoman Maloney for reintroducing the RECIPE Act, which would provide long-lasting support for our beloved community spaces in New York City and nationwide through the establishment of a $10 million grant program," said Council Member Carlina Rivera. "These gardens and green spaces are emblematic of community-driven environmental justice and reclamation, and I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this impactful legislation."

"I commend Congresswoman Maloney for her leadership in proposing the RECIPE Act. As longtime stewards of public parks and over four dozen community gardens throughout New York City, we have seen first-hand how crucial support from all levels of government is to ensuring these spaces survive and thrive over time. The RECIPE Act has the power to both bolster our current green spaces in underserved communities and create new ones at a time when New Yorkers need them most." said Lynn Kelly, Executive Director of New York Restoration Project.

Background:

Qualified community organizations will receive grants for the establishment of community open spaces in urban areas from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Grants made under this Act to any single qualified community organization in any one fiscal year may not exceed $250,000. The legislation appropriates $10 million each for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Only nonprofit community organizations which have histories of serving the community, maintaining accountability to residents of the community through significant representation on the organizations governing board, are involved in activities to better the neighborhood, and comply with standards of financial accountability required by the Secretary are eligible for such grants.

In order to be eligible for these grants, municipal property located in an urban area must be free of structures, owned by the unit of general local government in which the property is located, and subject to a binding commitment that makes the property available for use and improvement under this Act as community open space for at least seven years.

These grants may be used for the establishment of community open spaces (including beautification, construction or installation of facilities for improvements for such property, clearance, demolition, removal, design and site improvements), to lease or otherwise obtain the use of eligible municipal real property for establishment of community open spaces, to maintain community open spaces, and to cover other administrative costs related to the establishment, development, maintenance, administration, or management of the community open space. No more than 10 percent of any single grant made under this act may be used for administrative costs under these specific uses.

Source