As New Yorkers prepare for a vibrant summer, Mayor Eric Adams has officially launched the “We Outside Summer” initiative with a major announcement to convert dozens of abandoned lots into public green spaces.

Backed by a $30 million investment, this effort targets neighborhoods historically underserved by parks, with a goal to make outdoor recreation more accessible citywide.

“They don’t know when we say we outside,” the mayor quipped during a press conference. “We are going to make [New York] an attractive place over the coming weeks and months…to ensure every New Yorker has a safe and enjoyable summer.”

Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of safe public spaces, noting a recent landmark: “No shootings on Sunday before Memorial Day. That is, I think, the first time in recorded history. It just goes to show you the job that we are continuing to do.”

The initiative begins with the submission of ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) applications for 44 vacant sites in Brooklyn Community District 5 (including East New York and Cypress Hills) and Queens Community District 3 (including Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and Corona). While not every site will be acquired, successful applications will empower the Parks Department to negotiate with willing private sellers to turn these lots into parks.

“We’re not taking sites from people,” Adams assured. “If there are willing private sellers, there’s a potentiality to get a park built on them or a green space.”

This green space expansion builds on the Adams administration’s existing parkland efforts. Since taking office, the city has added over 86 acres of parkland, bringing 37,000 more New Yorkers within a 10-minute walk of a park. Currently, 84% of city residents live near a park — a number the mayor aims to boost to 85% by 2030.

“Parks are important,” Adams said. “They play a crucial role in the peacefulness of our communities where people can gather and really not only cross-pollinate in the flowers but cross-pollinate in communities.”

Adams also reinforced the city’s commitment to a safe summer through a comprehensive public safety campaign.

“The goal is really to have a safe summer,” he said. “And not only safety from violence, but safe from traffic crashes, safe from a mother or dad being notified that he lost a loved one from drowning.”

This includes additional NYPD patrols, drone surveillance of beaches, coordination between FDNY and Emergency Management teams, and expanded youth programming like Saturday Night Lights. A new “Cool It NYC” map will help residents access cooling centers as part of the city’s Beat the Heat campaign.

In another transformative move, Adams unveiled a $400 million redesign of Fifth Avenue, calling it a centerpiece of his “Best Budget Ever” plan. “The redesign…will expand city sidewalks by 46%, shorten pedestrian crosses by a third, reduce the number of traffic lanes from five to three, and add plantings and lighting to make it more walkable, greener, and safer,” he said. The redesign marks the avenue’s first major update in 200 years.

“This iconic corridor’s investment will pay for itself in less than five years through increased property and sales tax revenues,” Adams added.

The event also saw tense moments as reporters pressed Adams on recent incidents involving undocumented students detained by ICE. The mayor made clear that city agencies do not coordinate with federal immigration enforcement on civil matters.

“We don’t coordinate with ICE on civil enforcement,” he said. “We have not had ICE raids in our school[s],…churches,…hospitals,…[or] places of business.”

In response to concerns about a student arrested during an asylum court hearing, Adams emphasized: “It did not happen in the school building…Every child needs to be in school.”

Asked about another case involving a 19-year-old reportedly arrested for gun possession and transferred to federal custody, Adams stated bluntly: “The lesson is don’t carry a gun. That’s what the lesson is.”

Despite criticism, Adams defended the city’s sanctuary policies. “The sanctuary city is not a law. It’s a concept. You’re in the city, you have the right to get the things that your tax dollars pay for.”

With concerns about a projected $4 billion loss in tourism revenue, Adams remained optimistic: “We’re going to bounce back…This is the hottest ticket on the globe.”

He also praised the quick arrest made in a recent NYPD assault case and expressed gratitude to the city’s park workers, calling their efforts “crucial to keeping our public spaces clean and safe.”