NYC Council Cites Budget Cuts for Park Restrooms

A New York City Council investigation revealed that two-thirds of the over 100 public park restrooms inspected were either closed or had significant health and safety issues. Common problems included unsanitary conditions, missing trash cans, soap, toilet paper, and malfunctioning locks on stall doors. Budget cuts under Mayor Adams were cited as a contributing factor to the poor conditions. The Parks Department defended its maintenance efforts, stating that the Council's report focused on less than 15% of restrooms, which were already known to be problematic. Despite the Parks Department's claim that over 90% of their facilities are operational and well-maintained, the Council called for increased funding to address the widespread issues.