As part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “Road Map for the Digital City” plan, an additional five public New York City parks have been outfitted with Wi-Fi hotspots to give park-goers access to complimentary wireless internet access.
The new Wi-Fi installments are part of a five-year initiative that was co-developed by Bloomberg and AT&T CEO and chairman Randall Stephenson. Announced on June 9, the plan aims to bring Wi-Fi access to 26 locations within 20 city parks spanning the five boroughs.
“[New Yorkers can] expect to see new parks come online in the next several months,” said an AT&T spokesperson. Currently, however, there is no set schedule for the remaining parks to receive the treatment.
The newest additions to receive the free Wi-Fi are Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan, Astoria Park in Queens, McCarren Park Field House and Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn, and Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island. Existing parks with the Wi-Fi are Battery Park, Rumsey Playfield, Joyce Kilmer Park, and several areas of Thomas Jefferson Park.
The latest installment is just a part of Bloomberg’s plan to propel New York City into the digital age. In addition to expanding citywide internet access, the plan also involves developing open government apps and framework, engaging the city’s citizens through media services.
“The City of New York will work with other cities to support the development of compatible, interoperable systems that enable the smooth transfer of information and the development of an ecosystem of tools and applications that benefit citizens in every city,” explained the plan’s report.
Additionally, the city’s subway systems have begun the process of being fitted with wireless hotspots, large public areas like Times Square have been riddled with free Wi-Fi “hot zones”, and car services have begin implementing wireless internet access.
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