Part of NYC Parks “Second Shift” initiative to cleanup high-use areas
On March 21, NYC Parks announced the deployment of 240 newly hired “Second Shift” dedicated staff to address cleanliness in NYC parks during peak days and hours. Tasked with addressing trash, litter, and graffiti at 100 hot spot sites in 62 parks across the city, this new operational deployment will work from Thursday – Sunday in the evening hours to create a cleaner city and to better control the rat population.
McCarren Park is one of the selected parks and has been designated with three hotspots. Hotspots are locations which attract intense use during warmer weather — mainly picnic and BBQ locations. They have been identified over the years by NYC Parks staff and have traditionally been areas of focus for summer cleaning staff.
“With these new employees in our parks later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, these additional staff will help us reach a new level of cleanliness in some of our busiest greenspaces. As always, we continue to urge New Yorkers to do their part: please take out what you bring in, and dispose of refuse in proper receptacles,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue.
“Since taking office, one of my biggest priorities has been ‘Getting Stuff Clean’ for New Yorkers. Our parks are some of our best places to relax and connect in the city, and these new staff will help make our open spaces cleaner and greener than ever,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Traditionally, dedicated Parks staff have cleaned parks during a first shift, Monday to Friday in the mornings and afternoons, with late afternoon and weekend maintenance achieved through the use of overtime and the work of seasonal and part time staff. The new Second Shift staff represent the first full time dedicated staff for evening and weekend peak hours and days in the history of the department.
The Greenline 