Year in Photos: 2016

September

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

As summer came to an end, we got dressed up and went way back in time at Medieval Fest in Fort Tryon Park for a day of jousting, games, and live performances, inspired by the Middle Ages.

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

In the Bronx, hip hop pioneers, DJ Kool Herc, Cindy Campbell, Coke La Rock, and Grandmaster Caz, joined us at Cedar Playground to celebrate hip-hop's birthplace's fresh $2.4 million makeover, featuring new play features, workout equipment, and improved landscaping.

Photo by John Herrold

This Vertical Access restoration team used mountaineering techniques to conduct a restoration survey of the exterior portions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at Riverside Park. They rappelled of the roof top, and used electronic tablets to key in data observations and map the conditions of every stone in the monument to produce an accurate and thorough study and report of the monument's restoration needs and cost figures for repair and restoration.

October

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

We joined the Bronx River Alliance and friends to announce a $40 million investment to restore the Bronx River Greenway and close the gap between Starlight Park and Concrete Plant Park, giving more Bronx residents access to the Bronx River's beautiful waterfront amenities and programming. Learn more about the project

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Fall settled in beautifully this October, bringing a glow of colors to the Twin Islands at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx

November

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

and along the trails at Blue Heron Park on Staten Island.

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

Last year, we invited New Yorkers to help us count and map NYC’s street trees. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, we took the results from the 2015 Street Tree Census and created the world’s largest and most detailed online street tree map. Explore NYC’s Street Tree Map

Photo by Adrian Sas/NYC Parks

After nearly two years of much-need repairs, The Alamo returned to Astor Place!

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

At Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the Stanton Street Courts got an upgrade and a cool new look by world-renowned artist Kaws! Learn more about the artwork

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

We wrapped up another great season of our youth flag football league at the championship game at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx.

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Thanks to all the staff who helped make the Paralympic Track and Field event at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex a special day for kids of all ages and abilities.

December

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Special thanks to Ranger Rob, who helped rescued this beautiful red-tailed hawk found injured. The hawk was rehabilitated thanks to help from the Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation and released at Sheep Meadow in Central Park.

Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Thanks to Mayor de Blasio who announced this month that we fully acquired Bushwick Inlet Park! And, thanks to the volunteers who came out to the park to plant daffodil bulbs for spring! Learn more

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

Happy holidays and a happy 2017 from all of us at NYC Parks!