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New York City launched its first-ever Parents’ Night Out program, offering free childcare for 500 families
Activities for kids include games, sports, arts and crafts, led by trained staff at five recreation centers
Parents must register online by July 20 to participate, with spots granted on a first-come, first-served basis
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is giving parents a night off!
On Monday, July 13, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura announced the first-ever Parents’ Night Out program, which gives 500 parents and caregivers with children between the ages of 6 and 13 a free evening to themselves.
On Aug. 16, children across the five boroughs will participate in supervised games, sports, fitness activities, crafts and more. Each activity will be led by a trained staff member in the department.
“Every parent knows that a few hours to yourself can feel like a luxury,” Mamdani said in a statement. “It shouldn’t be. That’s why we’re launching New York City’s first-ever Parents’ Night Out, so that parents can get a little time on their own to catch a movie, run errands or go on a date without worrying about who will take care of the kids — or how much it will cost.”
“Making New York City more affordable isn’t just about lowering costs, it’s about giving people back their time,” he continued. “This administration is committed to making it easier to raise a family in the greatest city in the world.”
Manhattan’s Highbridge Recreation Center
Credit: GoogleMaps
Echoing Mamdani’s sentiments, Shimamura emphasized that parents and caregivers deserve the “opportunity to recharge.”
“Parents and caregivers spend so much of their time taking care of everyone else, and they deserve an opportunity to recharge,” she said. “Our first-ever Parents’ Night Out is about making sure our administration is working for New Yorkers by providing a free, safe and fun experience for children while giving families a few hours to themselves.”
She added, “Whether it’s enjoying dinner or simply taking a well-earned break, we’re proud to offer an affordable program that supports families and strengthens our communities.”
According to the press release, Parents’ Night Out is intended to reflect local officials’ commitment to supporting working families across the boroughs. The program will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and dinner will be provided
The free program will be held at the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn, Highbridge Recreation Center in Manhattan, Al Oerter Recreation Center in Queens, Kwame Ture Recreation Center in the Bronx and Greenbelt Recreation Center in Staten Island.
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For parents and caregivers interested in participating in the program, registration is required and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can register online for one location until Monday, July 20.
After registering, participants should receive more information via email with the next steps by Friday, July 31.
Read the original article on People