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What is NYC AC § 18-133?

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This section establishes the Adopt-a-Park program, allowing individuals or entities to sponsor parks and recreational areas under the department's jurisdiction. Sponsors may enter into agreements for maintenance and renovation, with terms ranging from one to eight years. The program includes provisions for sponsorship payments and indemnification of the city. Applies to sponsors of city parks and recreational facilities.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 18-133 Adopt-a-park program.

AC § 18-133

a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, "sponsor" shall mean the person(s) or group(s) that have entered into an agreement with the department with respect to the maintenance, renovation and agreement requirements provided for in the Adopt-A-Park program. b. The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships or other entities, other than political candidates and their campaign organizations, to sponsor any park, playground, beach, pool, recreation center, ballfield, green space, greenstreet, vehicle, equipment, structure or other property under the jurisdiction of the department, except as provided in subdivision g of this section. Such sponsor may elect to be recognized by a sign at or on the area sponsored which shall not be larger than the standard sign used by the department. The commissioner shall erect such signs in a manner that best preserves the aesthetic quality of the sponsored area. Where the erection of such a sign is impossible, requires approval by another governmental entity or is otherwise prohibited by law, the department and the sponsor may agree to another form of recognition. c. Sponsorship agreements may be entered into for a period of one to eight years from the date of the agreement. Nothing herein shall prohibit more than one sponsor at a particular site, and a sponsor may enter into agreements with the department to sponsor more than one site. d. The department and the sponsor may renew an agreement for a term which shall be at the discretion of the commissioner, but is not to exceed the limits designated in subdivision c of this section. The existing sponsor may apply for renewal of the agreement no less than thirty days before the expiration of the agreement. e. Nothing herein shall be construed to mean that the property or structure sponsored has been renamed for the sponsor or gives the sponsor or an agent or member thereof any authority to sell or display merchandise or use the sponsored area in any manner inconsistent with the New York city charter or any statute, law, rule or regulation. No sponsorship shall impede or impair in any way any concession or lease agreement between the department and any other individual or entity. f.

(1)Sponsors shall make a sponsorship payment to be determined by the commissioner, which shall reflect the size and nature of the sponsored area and the maintenance, level of use, security and program costs or any portion thereof to be undertaken or provided for by the sponsor. Such sponsorship payments shall be treated as private categorical grants and shall be used solely by the department for the sponsored area for park maintenance, capital projects, security, recreation, art and educational programs and the acquisition and development of parkland and related structures or facilities. Any grant in the amount of five thousand dollars or more shall be separately identified.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph one of this subdivision, the commissioner may enter into a sponsorship agreement at a reduced sponsorship payment or no sponsorship payment with one or more organizations or individuals who undertake the responsibility to perform uncompensated volunteer assistance of beautification and/or clean-up work consistent with departmental standards.

(3)Any sponsorship agreement shall hold the city harmless from liability for any damage or injury arising from such sponsorship and shall provide for indemnification of the city by the sponsor in the event that any judgment or other financial obligation is imposed upon the city with respect to such sponsorship. g.

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