Tricia Shimamura is an American social worker, political aide, and civil servant who has served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation since 2026, when she was appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to the role. She previously served as the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for Manhattan in the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Director of Community Relations to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and in other notable affiliated roles, and was a candidate for New York City Council in 2021, losing to Julie Menin.
Tricia Shimamura | |
|---|---|
| Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation | |
| Assumed office January 17, 2026 | |
| Zohran Mamdani | |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | |
Biography
editShimamura earned a BA from the Kenyon College in Ohio and went on to earn her Masters in Social Work from NYU.[1]
She worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney until 2015, when she became Director of Government Affairs for Columbia University. She ultimately left that role in 2022[2] to become Director of Community Relations to Mark Levine.[3]
She served as Vice-Chair of the Manhattan Community Board 8, which she was appointed to by Gale Brewer. She ran for New York City Council in the 2021 New York City Council election,[4] but lost the primary to Julie Menin.[5]
She serves on the board of Vote Mama.[6] She also founded nonprofit She Will Rise NYC.[7]
In 2024, she became the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for Manhattan in the Department of Parks and Recreation, where she oversaw the response to the Inwood Hill Park fire and the reopening of the East River Park.[8] In 2026, she was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.[9][10][11] The selection earned praise from both allies and political opponents, including Menin, Levine, and Brewer.[12]
As Parks Commissioner, she created a "Summer of Soccer" program including soccer games, screenings, and celebrations in honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,[13] and expanded free swimming lessons.[14] She has emphasized vastly increasing free and low-cost classes, events, and access for NYC residents.[15] She has also pushed forward investments in parks in underserved neighborhoods[16][17] and in beaches,[18][19][20] including reopening the Orchard Beach Pavilion.[21]
References
edit- ↑ Kamin, Debra (January 17, 2026). "Mamdani Appoints Top Parks Official to Oversee New York's Green Spaces". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Columbia University's Tricia Shimamura Joins Manhattan Borough President Levine's Leadership Team". Columbia University Neighbors. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ Cooperman, Jackie (November 18, 2023). "How a Political Insider Spends Her Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ King, Cece. "A Passion for Politics". www.westsidespirit.com. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "DEM Council Member 5th Council District". www.vote.nyc. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor Zohran Mamdani Appoints Tricia Shimamura as NYC Parks Commissioner". The official website of the City of New York. January 17, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Council District 5 – Democratic Party Primary | Citizens Union". citizensunion.org. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Mamdani appoints Tricia Shimamura as new NYC parks commissioner - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. January 17, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Appoints Tricia Shimamura as NYC Parks Commissioner". The official website of the City of New York. January 17, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor Mamdani Appoints Tricia Shimamura as NYC Parks Commissioner". La Voce di New York. January 17, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ KostShare, Ryan (January 17, 2026). "Mayor Mamdani taps longtime public servant to lead NYC parks". Gothamist. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ Berger, Brian. "Shimamura Rising: Manhattan Boss Parkie Named NYC Parks Commissioner". www.ourtownny.com. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "City Life Org - NYC Parks Kicks Off Summer of Soccer with Free Events, Watch Parties, and Programs Across all Five Boroughs". City Life Org. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor Mamdani and Parks Commissioner Shimamura Expand Free Learn to Swim Classes for Summer 2026". The official website of the City of New York. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ Hu, Winnie (March 3, 2026). "Mamdani's Parks Dept. Aims to Offer More Recreation With Smaller Budget". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ Harmankaya, Lara. "St. Nicholas Park to be renovated under Mamdani's new underserved neighborhood park pledge". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ DeJesus, Jaime (May 4, 2026). "New NYC Parks head shows strong support of local volunteers". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Ariola welcomes NYC Parks to Rockaway to showcase issues impacting peninsula's beaches – QNS". qns.com. May 20, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Sweet (and salty) relief: Brooklyn beaches to open for the season on May 23 • Brooklyn Paper". www.brooklynpaper.com. May 20, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ City, Annika Pergament New York. "Parks commissioner previews opening of city beaches". ny1.com. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Historic Orchard Beach Pavilion reopens to the public for first time in 17 years". ABC7 New York. May 20, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.