US Secretary of Interior Visits Central Park

NEW YORK—U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis at Central Park on Thursday afternoon to discuss America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative for urban parks.

President Barack Obama unveiled a new master plan on Wednesday evening to spotlight great urban parks and to protect, improve, and expand parks across the nation.

“This is the first day after President Obama, less than 24-hours ago, announced the Great Outdoors America agenda for the United States. It [AGO] is … an effort that took a year to put together—from April 16 of last year, [when] the president called together the conservationists from throughout the country for a conference,” Salazar said.

New York City is Salazar’s first stop on a 10-day national tour. He will also be visiting parks in Florida, California, and Maryland.

The AGO Initiative aims to develop a 21st-century conservation and recreation agenda that includes improving urban parks and restoring ecosystems. The program’s objective is to double federal spending on land and water conservation to $900 million.

Salazar stated that he wants New York City to set an example for America’s great urban parks. “[There is] no better place to start out our initiative on conservation for the 21st century than here in New York … to build on already great traditions and to create a new generation of great urban parks right here in New York,” he said.

Mayor Bloomberg thanked Salazar and the Obama administration for their ongoing support of the city’s parks and other national jewels.

“Here in New York, we feel a strong sense of pride for our parks, … and I am not just talking about iconic spaces like Central Park and Prospect Park, but also [about] the thousands of neighborhood parks and open spaces spread throughout the city. We are home to more than 29,000 acres of parkland in total,” Bloomberg said.

The mayor emphasized the importance of urban parks for New Yorkers. “Among the hustle and bustle of city life, our parks represent an oasis of sorts, places where anyone can go to relax, exercise, read the papers, have a picnic, walk the dogs—like my girlfriend does every morning in Central Park,” he said.

The National Parks Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior has compiled “Draft Strategies Toward Collective Action.” However, it is “simply a talking document at this point,” said Salazar.

According to Salazar, the key components and themes of the AGO Initiative outlined in the document include: creating the largest camp ground in America, establishing a center for urban ecology and restoration, making New York City a gateway to America, and setting up national parks as classrooms for inspiring young people to be connected with the outdoors.

The AGO Initiative identifies the important role of city parks and community green spaces in promoting people’s health and well-being, providing economic benefits through tourism and recreation, and nurturing democratic values through casual interaction among people.

“People need the outdoors. In order for them to have a healthy style, they need to be active—and the parks are the perfect places for that,” said Jarvis.