On Earth Day of 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled PlaNYC, an ambitious and practical plan to make New York America’s first sustainable city. As part of his plan, he vowed to create more open spaces, ensuring that all New Yorkers live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Despite the addition of more than 300 acres of new parkland in the last five years, New York City has less open space per person than almost any other major city in America. As a result of the program, the SCA is working with the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Parks to create and upgrade playground facilities throughout the City.

In addition, the Mayor pledged to create a comprehensive program under PlaNYC to reduce emissions from a variety of sources within the city. A major focus of this program is the conversion of boiler systems that burn #4 or #6 fuel oil. With funding provided through PlanNYC, the SCA is funded through this program to convert boiler systems schools through 2017.