Future of the City: NYC Parks Commissioner Susan Donoghue

Join us as we commemorate 400+ years of New York City with Future of the City: Conversations with NYC Commissioners to learn about the role and services of key NYC departments. In this program, hear from Susan Donoghue, Commissioner of the Department of Parks about important initiatives, policies, and the challenges facing NYC in 2025 in a moderated discussion.  

Co-Presented by the New York City Department of Parks.

About the Speaker:

Sue Donoghue was appointed Commissioner of NYC Parks in February 2022. She has made equity and sustainability top priorities as Parks works to promote the health and well-being of New Yorkers and their communities, enhancing livability.

During her first three years, Parks completed nearly 340 capital projects, representing over $1.1B in investments in NYC’s neighborhoods and reached its highest tree planting number in six years, expanding tree cover in the most heat vulnerable areas. In June 2024, Commissioner Donoghue launched Vital Parks for All: Investing in NYC’s Living Infrastructure, a $3.2B initial investment to equitably strengthen the health, environment and communities of NYC through its parks system. The plan includes Let’s Swim NYC, a more than $1 billion capital investment to restore aging pool facilities and build new pools, representing the city’s highest period of investment in swimming infrastructure since the 1970s.  The initiative was reinforced by a $5M swim expansion program that will teach 18,000 public school students how to swim.

Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Donoghue served as President of Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit organization that operates the park in partnership with the City of New York.  From 2007 to 2014, she served as a Senior Advisor and Assistant Commissioner at NYC Parks, and spearheaded the agency’s work on PlaNYC, Mayor Bloomberg’s blueprint for enhancing NYC's sustainability.

Sue Donoghue earned a master's in public administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. She is a long-time New Yorker and avidly enjoys New York City’s parks with her husband and three children.

Event Logistics (subject to changed based on NYC regulations):

• Please contact programs@mcny.org with any questions or ticketing issues.
• All sales are final; refunds not permitted. Exchanges and credit for future programs only. Programs and dates may be subject to change. 

General Admission $15, Members $10