Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Tricia Shimamura as the new Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Shimamura takes over the department with significant experience in public service and community engagement, having served previously as the Manhattan Borough Commissioner for NYC Parks. During her tenure, she led the agency’s response to the Inwood Hill Park fires in fall 2024, and was instrumental in the reopening of Phase 1 of East River Park.
Shimamura's career also spans positions such as Director of Government Relations at Columbia University, where she successfully rolled out a vote-by-mail initiative for over 20,000 students amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. In that role, Shimamura was involved in critical infrastructure projects, which included enhancements to the East River Esplanade, and completion of the Second Avenue Subway's Phase 1, according to the Mayor's Office.
In a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office, Mayor Mamdani expressed confidence in Shimamura's capabilities, saying, "I'm excited to be announcing the appointment of a Parks Commissioner who has spent her career showing up, and listening to, communities across our city. Under the leadership of Tricia Shimamura, our Parks Department will strive to make this a city that every New Yorker can afford to not just live in but enjoy." Shimamura echoed this sentiment, emphasizing her dedication to creating welcoming and vibrant public spaces for all New Yorkers.
With over 30,000 acres of land under its care, the NYC Parks Department plays a pivotal role in maintaining the city's public spaces. Shimamura's previous roles have equipped her with the necessary skills to manage such vast operations, having pushed for millions in funding for capital projects and public programs, and advocating for safer, data-driven practices around bloodborne pathogen safety, detailed by the Mayor's Office. Outside of her professional work, she has championed initiatives supporting women's leadership and political participation, including her involvement with the Vote Mama Foundation.
