Madison Square Park received no rainfall during the entire month of October 2024 – far below New York City’s monthly October average of 4 inches. It’s been a concerning few years for those of us in the field of park management. Earlier this year, as part of policy for preserving plant collections, I reviewed updated templates for an emergency preparedness plan, including natural and manmade emergencies common to the region and those that are expected to become more prevalent. This past week, I was thankful to have done that work, particularly the drought and wildfire best practices for public spaces. While summer droughts are not unheard of, a drought of this magnitude in the fall, accompanied by 80 degree temperatures, certainly is. 

Weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable in the region. It’s creating havoc on the environment and infrastructure that greatly impacts our everyday lives. We are already feeling the effects. Our natural water capture systems – soil and plants – are having greater challenges keeping up. Plants have been conditioned to live in certain regional conditions for thousands of years. Water, light levels, temperature, pollinator relationships – all of these are vital to a plant’s survival and ability to fulfill roles we humans depend upon them for. Roles such as water capture, oxygen production, and a plant’s ability to remove particulates from our air and water are in jeopardy as plants become increasingly stressed. As plants decline due to stressful conditions, our city becomes less resilient against future challenges.

New York City’s ongoing drought has sparked a record 229 brush fires in the past two weeks alone. Until now, the longest Central Park had gone without measurable rainfall was 36 days in 1924 – this fall, we reached a total of 40 days without measurable rainfall, a stark contrast to the past two autumns. On September 29, 2023, New York City experienced nearly 8 inches of rain in a single downpour, leading to intense flooding that shut down public transit and was declared a state of emergency. Both extremes are decidedly not normal, and it’s scary and disheartening to think of the potential consequences to our communities. 

Until more rainfall occurs, fire is a real threat wherever there is leaf litter. While smoking is not allowed in City Parks at any time, it’s of particular importance for smokers to be mindful to put out cigarettes during this time. At Madison Square Park, we strive to leave all leaf litter onsite to help support wildlife and pollinators and reduce the amount of carbon sent to landfill. Over the next two months, you may experience lawn and pathway closures as we manage leaves through mowing, helping break down leaves faster and reducing fire potential if properly spread. Please be patient with staff who are working extra hard to keep our spaces clean and safe during this period. 

It’s easy to get lost in the vastness of what is happening to the environment, and can be tempting to look the other way even when changes are happening before our eyes. But everyday habits at work and home, as well as community preparedness and mindful care of our public spaces, can still make a difference in the future of our planet.

-Stephanie Lucas, Director of Horticulture and Park Operations