AAG Definitions

Adopt A Greenway Definitions

311                                       311 is New York City's main source of government information and non-emergency services. www1.nyc.gov/311

Bike Share Stations              The Citi Bike system, operated by NYC Bike Share features thousands of bikes at hundreds of stations around New York. Station locations are based on population and transit needs. Each station has a touchscreen kiosk, a map of the service area and surrounding neighborhood, and a docking system that releases bikes for rental.

BNYDC                                 Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation

BQE                                     Brooklyn Queens Expressway

Catch Basin                         A catch basin is a type of storm drain located adjacent to a curb that collects rainwater from the street and transports it to a wastewater treatment plants or directly into a body of water. The catch basin is typically covered by a metal grate, which prevents large objects from falling in.

City Benches                       DOT is installing attractive and durable benches around the city, particularly at bus stops, retail corridors, and in areas with high concentrations of senior citizens. These benches will make streets more comfortable for transit riders and pedestrians, especially for those who are older and disabled.

CityRacks                              Free sidewalk bicycle parking racks, placed throughout New York City by DOT. DOT installs CityRacks on sidewalks and, through its Bike Corral program, in clusters in the curbside lane of the roadway.

Concrete Barrier                    A modular concrete or plastic barrier used to separate lanes of traffic or uses. Sometimes referred to as a Jersey barrier.

DEP                                      New York City Department of Environmental Protection

DPR                                      New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

DSNY                                    Department of Sanitation New York City

DOT                                      New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT)

Fence Line                           When property lines are designated with a fence, the sponsor is responsible for the greenway segment from the fence line to the outside edge of the greenway design. Sponsors are responsible for maintaining by trimming any vegetation that grows through the fence line that may become an obstacle to the pathway.

Greenway Sponsor               An individual, group or organization that agrees to maintenance of a Greenway Segment through the Adopt a Greenway Program

Greenway Segment               The greenway is organized into greenway segments that are named for street or geographic location.  See the Adoptable Greenway Segments table for location and length of each segment of the greenway. Greenway segments differ greatly in amount of sidewalk, bike lanes, landscaped area, public art, street furniture, and other design features.

Landscaping                          Plantings in the public right of way. Includes features such as tree beds, planters and planting strips.

Maintenance Provider            A company whose professional services include litter removal and landscape maintenance. Sponsors may choose to partner with a maintenance provider in order to meet resources and responsibility requirements for adopting a greenway segment.

MOC                                      Mayor’s Office of Contract Services

MTA                                       Metropolitan Transport Authority

NYCT                                     New York City Transit

Planters                                 A large container that rests on the ground to hold trees or plants. Used to provide greenery to streetscapes, including greenways and public plazas, as well as provide flexible boundary lines.

Property Line                         The defined point where the adjacent property ends. The sponsor has responsibility of the adopted greenway segment from the adjacent property line to the outside edge of the greenway design. 

Public Plaza                          DOT works with selected not-for-profit organizations to create neighborhood plazas throughout the City to transform underused streets into vibrant, social public spaces.

Signs                                     Produced installed and maintained by DOT, and include regulatory, way finding and greenway medallion signs.

Street Furniture                      Sponsors are responsible to keep clean and in good repair street furniture features along an adopted Greenway Segment.

Street Lighting                       DOT routinely installs and maintains Standard streetlights. The current Standard fixtures are the 100W and 150W HPS Cobra Head for street lighting and the 70W and 100W HPS Cobra Head for pedestrian lighting; DOT is phasing in 110W LED Cobra Heads for street lighting and 75W LED Cobra Heads for pedestrian lighting.

Traffic/Pedestrian Signal         A traffic signal controls the right-of-way for vehicles arriving at an intersection, which can reduce traffic delay and accident-producing conflicts. It also makes an intersection safe by determining whether vehicles or pedestrians should proceed.       

Tree Beds                                Excavated pits that allow for the planting of street trees and other vegetation within the public right of way.

        Connected Tree Beds        A series of tree beds connected with a continuous trench in order to provide increased root space and storm water detention.

Tree Bed Guard                       A device, usually a cast-iron fence or wrought-iron wickets, installed around a tree bed for protection.

Urban Art                                Murals have been painted along some greenway segments by the DOT Urban Art Program

Waste Receptacle                    Among its other responsibilities, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) services over 25,000 waste receptacles – known as “baskets” – that are placed on thoroughfares citywide. They are concentrated in commercial areas, where they may be emptied as frequently as five times a day.