High Line Teens Drive Participatory Budgeting Outreach for District 3

The High Line Teens program kicked off outreach for participatory budgeting efforts in District 3 this weekend as part of the High Line’s partnership with New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher to give the public a voice in how public dollars are spent locally. The High Line’s committee of paid teen staff is fueling this important and innovative civic engagement process, supporting all aspects of the participatory budgeting process while learning about community engagement and civic leadership.

This year, $1 million in funding is available to be allocated through participatory budgeting in District 3. Members of the High Line Teens program are raising awareness of the funding priorities that residents of District 3 can vote for including pedestrian safety upgrades in the Theater District, HVAC upgrades at the Andrew Heiskell Library, and new water bottle refilling stations to all schools in District 3.

Photos of the High Line teens in action at the March 23 Participatory Budgeting Expo Event at the Whitney Museum of American Art can be found here.

“Participatory budgeting is real democracy in action and a chance to shape your community. We’re going to be out all week helping our neighbors learn about the process so their voices can be heard,” said Pablo Torres, High Line Director of Youth Development & Education.

Voting is open until Sunday, April 2, and is open to everyone ages 11 and older who lives or works in a participating Council District – regardless of immigration status, gender, race, ethnicity, or eligibility to vote in traditional elections. Those interested in participating can vote online here.

High Line Teens is a paid employment opportunity for local youth focused on leadership development through civic engagement, arts and culture, ecological horticulture initiatives, public programs, and strategic partnerships available through the High Line and the High Line Network. The program is primarily made up of teens who either live in the area surrounding the park or attend schools nearby.