The city is lighting up its monuments and buildings tonight in honor of park workers who have been essential workers for these past two months. They all deserve it. They have not only kept the parks open for us, at their own risk, but they have also had to endure the tensions that have erupted as the weather warms and the parks get more crowded. Telling a New Yorker “No” is the worst job ever.

Plus, our local parks — Washington Market, Hudson River Park, City Hall Park and Rockefeller — have been one of the greatest sources of color and joy in an otherwise dark time.

Hudson River Park’s Pier 57 in Chelsea will be lit, along with The Arsenal in Central Park, Washington Square Arch, Coney Island Parachute Jump and the Parks Department’s Ranaqua headquarters in the Bronx. (I am hoping the city will light 1 Centre, but not sure.) The Parks Department is also asking New Yorkers to show their love by wearing green today and to share a thank you on social media using #GoingGreenForParkies.

Sunset today is at 8:12.

Today, join us in #GoingGreenforParkies! ????Wear green to honor our park workers on the front line. Tonight, the @EmpireStateBldg, Washington Square Arch, and more will glow green in celebration! pic.twitter.com/rVvzo0abKE

— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) May 21, 2020

#HRPK heroes like Russ are keeping the Park’s four miles green and beautiful for all of us to enjoy. #ThankAParkWorker pic.twitter.com/yLvkulYERA

— Hudson River Park (@HudsonRiverPark) May 19, 2020