NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Thousands of people are expected to gather on the Great Lawn in Central Park this weekend for the Global Citizen Festival, a fundraising concert aimed at fighting world poverty and hunger. But forecasts calling for heavy rain and wind have renewed concerns about potential damage to the lawn.<\/p>\n
The stage was nearly set up on the Great Lawn ahead of Saturday’s event. Organizers are hoping this year’s weather does not mirror recent years, when rain has become a familiar part of the festival.<\/p>\n
The event was affected by significant rainfall in two of the past three years. In 2023, a storm moved through during the concert, and heavy foot traffic left parts of the lawn heavily damaged. The area was closed for repairs that took two months.<\/p>\n
Global Citizen covered the cost of those repairs and has said it will do so again if necessary.<\/p>\n
No one from the organization was available for comment. In a statement, Global Citizen said it is working with city agencies to monitor the weather and prepare for every scenario.<\/p>\n
Critics continue to argue that the festival should not be held on the Great Lawn and have suggested Randall’s Island as a better location.<\/p>\n
“Randall’s Island has more parking, has a stage already, it can fit 60,000 people,” said Gale Brewer, a New York City councilperson.<\/p>\n
Brewer, whose district includes the area, wrote a letter to Mayor Mamdani arguing that, beyond wear and tear on the lawn, the space is off-limits for six days before the concert and remains closed until the setup is removed.<\/p>\n
“It can not be out of service for these two weeks,” Brewer said.<\/p>\n
The Central Park Conservancy told Eyewitness News that it trusts the city to make the appropriate decision regarding the event.
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