The Prospect Park Alliance has taken on a prominent advocacy role for parks, working to educate the public and public officials and to build awareness of and support for the crucial contributions that public parks make to our world. These efforts occur on three interdependent levels: nationally, citywide and within our own organization.

• City Parks Alliance
• Brooklyn Parks Advocates
• New Yorkers for Parks
• Other Advocacy Projects

Nationwide, urban parks funding has suffered from massive budget cuts. More than ever, organizations like the Prospect Park Alliance are needed to ensure the equitable distribution of park services and resources. Cycles of urban decline and renewal have proven time and time again that parks are a necessary public service playing a crucial role in the revitalization of urban communities.

In 2000, the Prospect Park Alliance became a founding member of City Parks Alliance, a national coalition of parks and economic development groups from 40 cities. In 2002, Prospect Park Alliance President Tupper Thomas became the Board Co-Chair of the City Parks Alliance. Its mission is to advocate for greater park funding and provide a network for urban parks advocates countrywide. Using the success of the Prospect Park Alliance as a model, the organization will establish and support public/private partnerships to improve park services and target underserved areas across the country.

To find out how you or your organization can get involved, visit the City Parks Alliance.

Brooklyn Parks Advocates (BPA) is a coalition of over 150 Brooklyn organizations seeking to restore basic services to our city parks, community gardens, playgrounds, athletic fields and recreation centers. BPA was established in July 1997 by the Prospect Park Alliance out of concern for increases in cuts to the Department of Parks and Recreation operating budget. Other members of BPA are leaders from parks volunteer groups, community garden associations, civic groups, sports leagues, BID’s, and health related organizations. BPA advocates locally for an increase to the Parks Department budget by educating the Mayor and City Council members through visits, testimonies, press events, and other grassroots activities in conjunction with New Yorkers for Parks. BPA also supports NYC/Parks & Recreation by promoting volunteerism and acting as an advisor to the Borough Commissioner.

Call (718) 965-8958 for more information.

New Yorkers for Parks (formerly known as the "Parks Council") is a citywide coalition that unites civic, greening, recreation, and economic development organizations in pursuit of quality parks and recreation services for all New Yorkers. The Alliance is a member of this organization.

For more information, visit New Yorkers for Parks or call (212) 838-9410.

Other Advocacy Projects
Prospect Park Alliance Vice President of Design and Construction Christian Zimmerman is on the Board of Trustees for the National Association for Olmsted Parks, a coalition of design and preservation professionals, historic property and park managers, scholars, municipal officials, citizen activists and representatives of numerous Olmsted organizations around the United States.

The Prospect Park Alliance’s Community Committee (Com Com) was created as a means of involving the community in Park management. Com Com has become an active advocate for increased park funding, open space preservation and the development of quality cultural and educational programs. Members go to Albany to rally the New York State Legislature on behalf of parks legislation and perform community outreach. Prospect Park’s Youth Council also participates heavily in these and other efforts.
To find out how you or your organization can get involved in the Community Committee, call our Community Outreach Manager at (718) 965-8946. For more info on the Youth Council, visit the above link or call (718) 854-4901.