Mayor Adams Appoints Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as NYC Parks Commissioner, Celebrates $23 Million Transformation of Playgrounds and Public Spaces at six NYCHA Developments Through NYC Parks Partnership

June 1, 2025

Watch video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWsZswV3gRk

An NYC Parks Veteran, Rodriguez-Rosa Oversaw Revitalization of   
Lifeguard Workforce Through Nationwide Shortage 

Adams Administration’s Investment Has Renovated Nearly Three Acres of  
Public Space in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, Putting Additional 10,000 Residents  
Within 10-Minute Walk of a Park, Delivering on Promise Made in 2022 

Mayor Adams Cuts Ribbon on Newly-Renovated Playgrounds at  
Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights, Final Project as Part of Initiative 

“We Outside Summer” Continues, Delivering Announcements,
  Investments, and Programs Across Five Boroughs 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks), making her the first Latina to hold this position. Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa is a NYC Parks veteran of nearly four decades, serving in different roles throughout the department during the course of her career; most recently as first deputy commissioner, where she oversaw the city’s lifeguards and helped rebuild the workforce despite national lifeguard shortages.  

On her first day as commissioner, Mayor Adams, Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa, and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt also announced that the city has completed a $23 million investment to revitalize nearly three acres of NYCHA open space — including playgrounds, sports equipment, and seating areas — across three developments in Queens, two developments in the Bronx, and one development in Brooklyn. The announcement continues Mayor Adams’ “We Outside Summer” —  a new initiative that will include a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer — by making investments to replace outdated playgrounds and dilapidated public spaces with new equipment, seating, landscaping, and more — delivering on a promise Mayor Adams made in 2022. As part of today’s announcement, Mayor Adams cut the ribbon on two newly-renovated playgrounds at Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — the final transformation through this investment.  

“Iris Rodriguez-Rosa has served New Yorkers for her entire career, with an unwavering commitment to nurturing and growing our precious parks, ensuring they are available for all. I have full confidence that she will carry forward that dedication as NYC Parks commissioner, and we look forward to delivering all New Yorkers safer, cleaner parks across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “Here in New York City, parks and playgrounds are not just a bonus, they are our backyards, where we walk our dogs, meet our friends, and take our children to play. Today's announcement marks the completion of a $23 million investment to reimagine nearly three acres of open space across NYCHA sites and puts 10,000 more New Yorkers within walking distance of a park. Every family across the five boroughs should have a nice, clean place to take their child to play, and today we are one step closer to that reality.” 

“I am excited and honored to assume the position as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the greatest urban park system in the country with over 30,000 acres of parkland,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “Parks are the greenspaces that serve as a great equalizer in our city and ensure everyone can get outside and enjoy our nature areas, playgrounds, beaches, pools, and recreation centers. I thank Mayor Adams for this appointment and look forward to working with him to continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.” 

“Outdoor open spaces and playgrounds on NYCHA campuses serve as important outlets for residents to engage in physical activity and get fresh air, as well as community hubs and gathering spaces for the one in 17 New Yorkers who call NYCHA home,” said NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt. “As NYCHA continues to use every tool at its disposal to invest in and renovate its properties, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Adams administration and our partners at NYC Parks for their support and work in breathing new life into these outdoor spaces, and their ongoing dedication to NYCHA residents.”  

To best understand the needs of residents, NYC Parks and NYCHA met with residents at the Woodside, Pomonok, Redfern, Watson, Sotomayor, and Kingsborough Houses to select specific locations for these transformations and help create the vision for their revitalized open spaces. In addition to renovating these spaces, the city will also open the six playgrounds up for public use so that both NYCHA residents and the surrounding community can enjoy the public space, putting nearly 10,000 more New Yorkers within walking distance of a park.  

At Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn, NYC Parks and NYCHA transformed two playgrounds — one 20,000 square feet and another 16,000 square feet — with the addition of new play equipment, game tables, benches, spray showers, and landscaping. Additionally, NYC Parks created new entrances from the sidewalk to make it easier for the public to access the amenities.  

The Kingsborough Houses playground marks the final public space renovated through this investment. The other five projects are:   

Redfern Houses, Far Rockaway, Queens  
The city reconstructed 50,000 square feet of open space, including the Redfern Playground and adjacent area, to include an upgraded ball field, basketball court, and handball court; play equipment; fitness equipment for teens and adults; and a grilling area. 

Legacy Park at Pomonok Houses, Fresh Meadows, Queens  
The city renovated 13,000 square feet of open space at Pomonok Houses to include fitness equipment, sensory play equipment, seating, and new landscaping. 

Woodside Houses, Woodside, Queens  
The city revamped 9,900 square feet of open space — including a passive seating and landscaped area at Woodside Houses — with new game tables, benches, landscaping, and pathways. 

Watson Houses, Bronx  
The city transformed 9,300 square feet of open space to include a revamped playground and seating area with new play equipment, game tables, benches, spray showers, landscaping, and brand new adult fitness equipment.    
Sotomayor Houses, Bronx  
The city upgraded 9,000 square feet of public space with new play equipment, spray showers, game tables, benches, landscaping, and brand-new swings. 

About Iris Rodriguez-Rosa 

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa most recently served as first deputy commissioner for NYC Parks, where she oversaw the revitalization and growth of the lifeguard workforce throughout a nationwide lifeguard shortage and worked to establish the Office of Marine Vessel Disposal within NYC Parks. 

Rodriguez-Rosa started her career organizing tenants and the community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the late 1970s under the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program. She then joined public service, working for former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden as a community board liaison and later, in 1979, became the district manager for Community Board 4 in Bushwick, Brooklyn. 

Rodriguez-Rosa began her career at NYC Parks in 1986, serving initially as director of community boards, working as an operations manager in Manhattan, and later serving as chief of recreation in the Public Programs Division in both the Bronx and Queens.  

In June 2015, Rodriguez-Rosa was appointed to serve as the Bronx borough parks commissioner. In this role, she helped work with and merge the Friends of Van Cortlandt Parks and the Van Cortlandt Conservancy to become what is now the Van Cortlandt Alliance. She championed the Orchard Beach Pavilion, and helped execute countless playground renovations for the benefits of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers across the city.  

The Adams Administration’s Work to Transform Public Spaces 

Mayor Adams has made transforming the city’s public spaces a central focus of his administration, creating over 85 football fields of new public spaces since 2022 for families to enjoy. In his 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Adams announced that New York City will open more schoolyards in underserved neighborhoods for use during the summer, after school, and on the weekends, and put another 20,000 individuals within a 10-minute walk of a park. By opening up these NYCHA facilities for use to the broader community, this announcement begins to fulfill Mayor Adams’ State of the City commitment to give even more New Yorkers in under-resourced areas access to valuable public spaces as his administration continues its efforts to make New York City the best place to raise a family. 

From day one, the Adams administration has prioritized public housing, unlocking $1.35 billion in capital repairs for nearly 7,600 residents through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together program in Fiscal Year 2024. The Adams administration also reopened the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist for the first time in 15 years, selecting 200,000 households, and expanded Big Apple Connect to bring free high-speed internet and cable to 150,000 households in 220 NYCHA facilities. 

“Today marks a joyful and meaningful moment for the Kingsborough community,” said New York City Councilmember Darlene Mealy. “This new playground is more than just a space to run and play — it’s a powerful investment in our youth, our families, and our future. Spaces like these empower our young people by giving them a safe, vibrant environment to grow, dream, and build lasting friendships. They also serve as anchors for community development and hubs for social connection — where parents meet, neighbors engage, and the bonds of our community grow stronger. For decades, necessary upgrades were overlooked, and I am proud to stand alongside all who helped make this day possible, as we cut the ribbon on a place that will bring joy and opportunity for generations to come. This is what progress looks like when we work together for the people.” 

“This investment at Kingsborough Houses represents more than a physical transformation — it’s a testament to what’s possible when government listens to community voices and acts with intention," said New York State Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman. " For too long, public housing residents have lived with the consequences of underinvestment. Today, we take a step toward correcting that legacy by creating safe, beautiful spaces where children can play, elders can gather, and families can thrive. I’m proud to stand with Mayor Adams, NYCHA, and NYC Parks in delivering this much-needed revitalization for the people of Crown Heights.”

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