City Council member Gale Brewer is calling for the annual Global Citizens Festival in Central Park to be banned due to the damages and closures it causes. Every year, the festival obstructs foot traffic, creates noise pollution, and closes off a large section of the park for days in order to set up for the event, which only lasts one day. This year, the Great Lawn was closed a week before the festival took place, preventing visitors and New Yorkers from enjoying the space.
The festival, which featured performances from popular music artists such as Post Malone and Doja Cat, drew 60,000 attendees despite rainy weather. Last year’s festival caused about $622,000 in damages to the park, with the majority of the costs going towards sod removal and replacement. Though a turf grass expert suggested that only 15,000 square feet of grass needed replacement, the Central Park Conservancy believed it was closer to 300,000 square feet, leading to disagreements over who should cover the costs.
The Central Park Conservancy has been working with the NYC Parks Department to develop a plan to minimize damages during major events, especially in inclement weather. Despite efforts to protect the lawn at this year’s festival, the conservancy is still assessing the damages. Brewer has urged the mayor to consider relocating the festival to a different venue, such as an arena or stadium, as very little of the grants from the festival are allocated to nonprofits in New York City.
However, Mayor Eric Adams has dismissed the idea of relocating the festival, stating that the parks are meant for everyone to share and enjoy. Even though the festival organizers have promised to pay for the damages caused to the park, concerns remain about the impact of the event on the Great Lawn. The conservancy and the Parks Department will continue to work together to ensure that future events do not cause extensive damage to the green space.
Despite the controversy surrounding the festival and its impact on Central Park, it is unclear whether any changes will be made in the near future. The festival spokesperson has stated that this year’s damages are expected to be minimal compared to last year, but the issue of the festival’s location and its impact on the park remains unresolved. City officials and organizers will need to work together to find a solution that balances the enjoyment of the festival with the preservation of the iconic Central Park.
