Press Releases

$90 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDING INVESTED IN PUBLIC SPACE IMPROVEMENTS SINCE 2022 THROUGH NYC PARKS CONCESSION PARTNERSHIPS

State-of-the-art $40 million tennis facility on Randall’s Island is latest major project expanding affordable recreation access

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue today announced that since the start of the administration $90 million in private funding has been invested in public facilities through concession contracts with NYC Parks. From public restrooms, to marinas, to the latest project – a new 260,000 square foot state-of-the-art indoor tennis facility on Randall’s Island – NYC Parks’ diverse portfolio of concessions not only bring important revenue into the city, they also support infrastructure upgrades and build new facilities for the public benefit. The announcement was made following the official opening of the largest indoor tennis club and training facility in the United States, fully funded with more than $40 million in private investments from SPORTIME.

"NYC Parks' concession partners play a vital role in enhancing our city’s public spaces, with their investments becoming integral to the fabric of the public realm," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Through innovative public-private partnerships, we’re not only delivering new recreational facilities like the SPORTIME tennis center on Randall’s Island, but also driving major capital improvements—from playgrounds to marinas—that benefit all New Yorkers. These investments expand access, enhance sustainability, and help ensure that our parks remain vibrant, inclusive spaces for generations to come.”

The more than 400 concessions operating on NYC Parks property serve as vital entry points into the local economy, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. They create thousands of jobs—from food carts to bike rentals—and often fund major capital improvements, including new restrooms, expanded maintenance space, and sustainable infrastructure that supports a greener, more resilient city.

In addition to the tennis center expansion that opened last week, SPORTIME has made a $1.5 million improvement to the nearby Poor Richard’s Playground in East Harlem, as well as to two ballfields on Randall’s Island. Parks estimates that concession partners like SPORTIME will make a total of $50 million in capital investments citywide in 2025, improving public greenspaces for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

Other notable capital investment projects to enhance our public spaces Include:

Buster’s Marina, Locust Point, the Bronx:

In March 2023, NYC Parks selected Buster’s Marina as the new site operator of the former Locust Point Marina, following a proposal with over $4.6 million in planned investments, including major upgrades to the dock, restaurant, restrooms, and equipment. Buster’s will also launch community programs such as kayak rentals with storage options, food and clothing drives, a free boating safety event, and a tented space for private celebrations.

Loeb Boathouse, Central Park, Manhattan:

In 2023, Legends Hospitality LLC was selected to operate Loeb Boathouse. Legends committed to a $3.25 million capital investment, along with an additional $250,000 for structural maintenance improvements. Their plans included, but were not limited to, renovating and expanding public restrooms, improving ADA accessibility—including connecting the upper and lower outdoor dining patios—upgrading building systems for greater efficiency and sustainability, and enhancing the outdoor bar to open up views from the pathways to the pond.

Park House, McCarren Park, Brooklyn:
In 2020, McCarren Park House LLC was selected to operate a food concession, with a minimum capital obligation of $1,221,035 to renovate and expand the park house. The project opened the building to the public and included a complete renovation of the bathrooms. This restoration helped reactivate the space and encouraged parkgoers to enjoy the amenities of a neighborhood snack bar right in their own backyard.

Last fiscal year, NYC Parks registered approximately $160 million in concession contracts, ranging from established major companies to individual entrepreneurs. In the same fiscal year, Parks’ concessions accounted for approximately $53.2 million in revenue, marking the highest amount of concessions revenue collected by Parks in a single fiscal year. This is over three-quarters of NYC Parks’ total revenue of nearly $70 million.

Across the five boroughs, NYC Parks has about 400 concessions in New York City parks offering ice rinks, tennis courts, horse riding stables, marinas, carousels, farmers markets, Christmas tree sales, rental bikes, kayaks, full-service restaurants, snack bars, food trucks, and carts. The first formal concessions were in place as early as the 1860s, with the introduction of a restaurant and boat rides in Central Park.

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Press Contact:
Kelsey Jean-Baptiste

pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov

(212) 360-1311