New York City considers ban on feeding birds, squirrels in parks

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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
New York City considers ban on feeding birds, squirrels in parks
New York City is considering a new effort to keep parks safe and clean by putting a ban on feeding birds and animals.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City is considering a new effort to keep parks safe and clean by putting a ban on feeding birds and animals.

Right now, the rule on wildlife feeding does not prohibit patrons form feeding birds and squirrels.

However, officials say the food left on the ground is an open invitation for rodents.

Under the proposed amendment, feeding all animals would be prohibited.

The parks department is expected to hold a public hearing at Pelham Fritz Recreation Center Friday to discuss the proposed rules.

Anyone can comment on the proposed rules by:

--Website. You can submit comments to NYC Parks through the NYC rules website at http://rules.cityofnewyork.us.

--Email. You can email comments to rules@parks.nyc.gov.

--Mail. You can mail comments to:

Darci Frinquelli, Assistant Counsel

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

The Arsenal, Central Park

830 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10065

--Fax. You can fax comments to 917-849-6742.

--By speaking at the hearing. Anyone who wants to comment on the proposed rule at the public hearing must sign up to speak. You can sign up before the hearing by calling Darci Frinquelli at 212-360-1383 or emailing rules@parks.nyc.gov. You can also sign up in the hearing room before the hearing begins on March 1 at noon. You can speak for up to three minutes.

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