In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act signed last June by Mayor de Blasio, NYC Parks has released for public comment proposed changes to Parks rules and the penalties incurred by offenders. Under the amended rules, many offenses that were previously classified as misdemeanors are lowered in categorization to violations, reducing the overall number of offenses that will result in a permanent criminal record. Newly downgraded violations include, among others, entering a park after closing hours, failure to comply with park signs, and failure to comply with bicycle restrictions. The amended rules reflect New York City Council’s effort to reduce arrests and incarceration.

In order to incorporate the community’s feedback, Parks is accepting public comments at rules@parks.nyc.gov, as well as on the NYC Rules website at http://rules.cityofnewyork.us/.  Parks will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on Monday, May 22, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Chelsea Recreation Center (430 West 25th St.).

Additional details can be found in the attached document. If you have any questions or are wishing to comment at the hearing, please contact Darci Frinquelli at (212) 360-1383 or by emailing darci.frinquelli@parks.nyc.gov.