New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first 100 days | Live updates

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Tricia Shimamura as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

The NYC Parks Department oversees more than 30,000 acres of land -nearly 14 percentof the city - providing essential public spaces that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day.

"Our city's parks embody the promise of public spaces - they're where childhood memories are formed, where leisure can be found, where I got to hone my soccer skills (or lack thereof) throughout school, and most importantly where the greatness of our city is within so many New Yorker's reach," said Mamdani during a Saturday press conference at High Bridge Park in the Bronx.

"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."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces his appointment for New York City Parks Commissioner.

Shimamura currently serves as the Manhattan Borough Commissioner for the NYC Parks Department. In this role, she's expanded community outreach, led the agency's response during the Inwood Hill Park fires in 2024 and oversaw the reopening of Phase 1 of the East River Park.

She has also served as director of government relations at Columbia University and deputy chief of staff to former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

"It is an honor to join Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. Early in my career as a social worker, I saw firsthand how government fell short for working families and students - and how our public infrastructure too often mirrored those failures," Shimamura said. "I have dedicated my career to building a city that truly serves working people and investing in infrastructure that reflects that commitment. As Parks Commissioner, I will ensure our parks are not only free, but welcoming, vibrant spaces that every New Yorker can be proud of."

It's been just over two weeks since Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office and became New York City's 112th mayor.

He's grabbed national attention for his policy proposals and his outspoken stance on contentious issues like immigration.

In a sit-down interview with Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter, the mayor drew a line in the sand, maintaining that New York will remain a sanctuary city.

Bill Ritter sits down with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joining him as a guest for Up Close

Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke out on Thursday after an appeals court reversed the lower court decision that freed pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention, in a major win for the Trump administration.

Mamdani announced the appointment of Afua Atta-Mensah as Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice.

In this role, Atta-Mensah will coordinate the administration's work advancing racial equity across city agencies, including creating and publishing the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan within the administration's first 100 days in office.

"Afua Atta-Mensah has dedicated her career to serving the New Yorkers who are so often forgotten in the halls of power. There is no one I trust more to advance racial equity across our work in City Hall," Mamdani said. "That starts with making good on the promise of a Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan within our first 100 days in office, and it will continue as our administration focuses on equity and racial justice throughout its work."

"I am honored by this appointment, and ready to seek citywide justice and accountability on behalf of all New Yorkers," said Afua Atta-Mensah, NYC Chief Equity Officer & Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice. "As the Mayor has made clear, this administration is committed to doing big things - and to doing them boldly. I look forward to partnering with community leaders and working alongside the teams at MOERJ and the Commission on Racial Equity to develop and implement a comprehensive, citywide Racial Equity Plan."