Support Your Neighbors: Join our Data Entry Event in Staten Island!
Editor’s note: The City has become more focused on Racial Equity during this administration. This includes the release of their preliminary racial equity plan, which is currently in a public comment phase until May.
On Tuesday, April 21st, BetaNYC will host a public Mapping for Equity Data Entry Workshop at the College of Staten Island. This initiative empowers residents to digitize community resources, ensuring that the upcoming partial reconstruction of Mahoney Playground in St. George is informed by accurate, community-generated data.
Following a successful field-mapping session, volunteers will now transition to the data-entry phase. Participants will be trained to use OpenStreetMap (the world’s largest open-source map) to document essential park amenities such as benches, water fountains, and accessible play equipment.
Event Details
- What: Mapping for Equity: Data Entry Workshop
- When: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Where: The College of Staten Island, Building 4N, Room 101
- Address: 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
- RSVP: beta.nyc/event/e260421
Why This Matters
Open data is a critical tool for civic advocacy. By creating a precise digital record of Mahoney Playground’s current state, community members can better identify accessibility gaps and advocate for a more equitable public realm during the city’s redesign process.
To date, over 100 New Yorkers have participated in this program, contributing to a more transparent and navigable city for all residents.
Participant Requirements
Attendees are asked to bring a laptop, charger, and a computer mouse (recommended for precise map editing). The workshop is open to the public; all ages are welcome, though those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
About BetaNYC
BetaNYC is a non-profit civic organization dedicated to improving the lives of New Yorkers through civic design, technology, and open data. Our Mapping for Equity program serves as a civics and data literacy initiative, bridging the gap between community knowledge and official city planning.
Banner Image: Lighthouse historical sign. Image Credit – NYC Parks
