Public playgrounds are meant to be just that: public.

Across New York City, more and more park space is being occupied by private, for-profit programming. What were once open areas for children, families, and neighbors are increasingly being used for paid classes, complete with cones, branded equipment, signage, and designated activity zones.

This is not occasional use. It is happening frequently enough that it is changing how our parks function.

When people arrive at a public park and see branded clothing, company signage, equipment, and sections of space effectively claimed for a private activity, the message is clear: this isn't your space right now, it's ours. Whether intentional or not, that changes who feels welcome and who doesn't.

Families arrive expecting access to a playground and find large sections occupied. Children lose the open space where they learn to ride a bike, invent a game of tag, or simply run around with friends. Teenagers looking for a pickup basketball game find courts occupied by programs with registration fees and enrollment websites. Space that belongs to everyone begins to feel reserved for those who can afford to pay.

[ Image: Carroll Park, Brooklyn, March 2026. A public park, but in this moment, only accessible to those who’ve signed up and paid.]

Public parks are among the few truly free, shared spaces we have left. They are where independence, social skills, healthy movement, and community happen. They are one of the few places where people of different ages, backgrounds, and incomes come together without barriers.

This petition is not against programming. Thoughtfully managed programming can add value to our parks and communities. NYC already has a permitting system for the use of public park space, and that system serves an important purpose.

The problem is that enforcement has not kept pace with how commercial operators use parks today. Through observations and reviews of publicly available permit records, it has become clear that many for-profit activities are taking place without permits or authorization. Existing enforcement mechanisms were developed long before many businesses began enrolling participants and collecting payments online, making violations harder to identify and address.

This means the solution does not require an entirely new regulatory framework. The framework already exists. What is needed is stronger oversight, updated enforcement practices, and a renewed commitment to ensuring that public parks remain accessible to everyone.

These parks are funded and maintained by public dollars. It raises a basic question of fairness when private companies are able to occupy and monetize public space while limiting access for the public.

We are calling on NYC Parks and local elected officials to:

1. Strengthen enforcement of existing permitting rules to ensure parks remain accessible to all
2. Update enforcement practices to address modern online registration and payment systems used by commercial operators
3. Limit the amount of space and time used for for-profit programming
4. Protect core play areas such as playgrounds and basketball courts for open public use

Public parks should remain open, shared spaces. Not pay-to-play environments.
 If you've seen this happening in your neighborhood, please sign and share.