As BdB moves closer to naming a parks commissioner to a department that lacks a dedicated budget, the Times wonders how democratic it is to fund parks through private conservancies that may not always represent the interests of the communities which the parks serve. With the influential Friends of the High Line and Central Park Conservancy, amongst others, both taking money from and giving back to private investors, is it possible to maintain the notion of a democratic city government "that accepts all private contributions, without strings?" [NYT]
Filed under: