ANIMAL WELFARE CAUCUS: STOP THE FIREWORKS IN NYC'S PUBLIC PARKS
Elizabeth Forel
STOP THE FIREWORKS IN NYC'S PUBLIC PARKSsurely this is something the new Animal Welfare Caucus can do
After years of trying to get the New York City Council to create either a legislative committee on animal welfare issues or a separate department of animal affairs, a new Animal Welfare Caucus was launched in March, led by Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein. Hopefully, this caucus, which has 19 members, will plan strategies, discuss legislative issues, and make policy decisions. However, it is not clear how the Caucus will work because there is no mission statement on the Council website- just the names of members. What is the mechanism by which New Yorkers can have their concerns considered? Will we be ignored? Is it all for show? The jury is out – and for good reason. Many of us have been waiting for decades to have animal welfare issues addressed thoughtfully and compassionately. FIREWORKS and their negative effect One issue that continues to be overlooked is that of fireworks and how they negatively affect dogs, cats, birds, other wildlife, people with PTSD, and others who simply don’t like the sudden, intense noise of “explosions,” which might be mistaken for something else. This seems like something the Caucus should and can do something about. It’s one thing to ask Macy’s, a private company, to stop their July 4th fireworks – it is quite another – and much easier - to have the City Council and Parks Department inform the Philharmonic that a new policy decrees that fireworks will no longer be allowed in City parks because it is too harmful to wildlife, pets, people, and the environment. The free concerts are planned for June in four city parks to be followed by fireworks – Central Park, Prospect Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Cunningham Park.
Pretty? - but what about the dogs, cats, birds, wildlife, veterans, and local residents
ANIMAL WELFARE CAUCUS — now’s your chance to show your mettle I believe the Caucus can easily take this on since it does not require legislation – just policy decisions, strategies, and interest. People go to the concert to picnic, see friends, and listen to the wonderful Philharmonic -- not the fireworks. The Philharmonic is consistently ranked as one of the world’s premier orchestras, and we are fortunate to have them in New York City – and so appreciative that the concerts are free to NYC park goers. There is no need to add a fireworks display. I lived on the Upper West Side for many years and often went to these concerts in Central Park. When it was over, people would prepare to leave – gathering up their blankets, chairs, and litter; then file out of the park with the intent of getting home, not to watch fireworks, which were mostly hidden by the trees anyway. The sudden, explosive noise from fireworks can cause significant anxiety in cats and dogs, sometimes leading to death. Birds and other wildlife in the city parks can panic and become disoriented and sometimes die from shock. Fireworks in the parks can cause air pollution and environmental damage. And lastly – let’s not forget people – former military with PTSD can be triggered by the loud explosions and relive the trauma of active combat -- and the average person who wants to enjoy a quiet evening at home but is forced to listen to these explosions. The Philharmonic and the City of New York should not contribute to this misery. Let’s stop them altogether! If the new Animal Welfare Caucus wants to take on this issue, I hope they educate themselves on alternatives. Many “silent” fireworks, including laser light shows, can still negatively affect wildlife and the ecosystem. These are city parks – home to any number of wild animals, birds, and sea animals. We need to do the right thing by them I’ve already reached out with no success. Not promising. It’s an issue whose time has come - but only if the Council wants to do the right thing.
© 2026 Elizabeth Forel
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