Event Details
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARRPE! Fights for Seniors’ Right to Exercise in Ruppert Park!
NEW YORK, NY – July 16, 2026
CARRPE! Committee for Active Recreation in Ruppert Park! is fighting for the rights of the
neighborhoods' older adults to be able to exercise in in a reconstructed Ruppert Park at the NYC Public
Design Commission (PDC) public hearing on Monday July 20. Ruppert Park Reconstruction plans fail to
provide safe, flat, exercise space area for older adults, but provides large flat space for dogs to play and
double the space for children’s playgrounds. Despite requests since January, Parks refuses to provide safe
accommodations for older adults, and suggests a sloped lawn in the park’s center – which is dangerous
for anyone especially older adults who may struggle with balance. 625+ people signed our petition: in-
person and online Need For Level Exercise Space in Ruppert Park. Partnering with our Advocacy: The
Gray Panthers, Health Advocates for Older People, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Upper Green Side.
The inequity is startling. The 16,500 adults aged 60+ make up 28% of residents in Zip Code 10128, where
Ruppert Park is located. It is the highest percentage of older adults in any Manhattan any Zip Code. The
UES is socio-economically diverse: not everyone is rich, has a health club membership, or gym in their
building- many depend on public parks for exercise. The percentage of Manhattan residents living with
dementia (14%) is one of the highest nationally, and NY State ranks second in Alzheimer’s prevalence,
which cost $18.9 Billion in 2014 alone. Dementia and it’s prevention are major public health issues.
Older adults who exercise regularly decrease signs of aging such as dementia, Osteoporosis, and heart
disease. Routine outdoor exercise provides Vitamin D, fresh air flow, hormone regulation and a healthy
circadian rhythm. It can reverse certain age-related diseases, inhibit Parkinson’s disease, promote
socialization, community, and active minds with shared goals to counter isolation, and depression.
CARRPE! has identified easy modifications to existing plans for Ruppert Park that frees up level space
for adult exercise. At the PDC hearing, CARRPE! will show Parks’ doesn’t have to pit dogs against adults.
The plan for Ruppert Park can accommodate the diversity of the neighborhood, keep playground areas in
situ, with room for a state of the art dog run. Everyone can “play in the sandbox” together.
CARRPE! will present these alternatives to the NYC Public Design Commission (PDC) at the public
hearing on the design of the Ruppert Park Public Restroom area on Monday, July 20, City Hall, 3rd floor,
in the PDC Board Room. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Arrive 45 minutes in advance. https://
nyc.gov/site/designcommission/design-review/meetings/meetings.page
Watch Live Stream: youtube.com/nycdesigncommission
Testify In-Person: 3 minute limit; signup by 8:00am Monday, July 20th; 3rd Fl., City Hall; PDC Board Room
Testify Remotely: 3 minute limit; signup to testify https://www.nyc.gov/site/designcommission/design-
review/meetings/meetings.page
Written Testimony: designcommission@cityhall.nyc.gov
Guidelines: PDC Public Testimony Guidelines
Media Contact: Joanna Cawley
CARRPE! Committee for Active Recreation in Ruppert Park
carrpenyc@gmail.com
(917) 361 - 5981
Fax: 212-312-0836 or Email