NYC Parks COVID-19 Oral History Project
In 2022, NYC Parks embarked on an oral history project to capture stories from more than 100 Parks employees about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 changed New Yorkers’ relationship with open space. This project aims to capture and preserve for the historical record this important slice of Parks history.
The interviews captured what they did, saw, thought, learned, and hoped for as New Yorkers, public servants, and lovers and stewards of parks and open spaces. The interviews are raw, sincere, insightful, personal, painful, and funny—as unique as each person who participated in this project. Participants span entry level staff to the Commissioner. The stories represent every corner of the Agency.
The podcast is produced by the NYC Parks Media Education Lab at McCarren Park Play Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
- Co-Host: Diana Baker, senior media education associate
- Co-Host: Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, author and project director
- Announcer: Zach Lella
- Producer/Editor: Eghosa R. Ogboe
- Sound Engineer: Eddie Hall
- Executive Producer: Joy Wang
- Composer: Brett Meany, “A Stroll in the Park”
- Soundbed Audio: Shakeem Hill Wasee
The podcast thanks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Harold Benjamin, Dan Dougherty, and Marlaina Headley.
Everyone who works to produce the show is a Parks staff member.
To learn more about NYC Parks, visit our website NYCgovParks.org and follow us on social media @NYCparks.