Wi-Fi To Grow In NYC Parks

New York City leaders want to provide free wireless Internet access in all of the city's public parks.

The City Council will hold a hearing Monday on progress and plans for developing wireless access in parks throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens.

New York City ranks second in the United States and tenth in the world for the number of public wireless hotspots, with more than 650, according to Wi-Fi hotspot directory JiWire. San Francisco ranks first in the United States.

The Department of Parks and Recreation's revenue team hopes to unveil wireless hotspots in 18 parks, while private and non-profit groups have already developed several wireless spots in New York City parks, including Bryant Park and the South Street Seaport.

Councilmember Gale Brewer wants to encourage private companies to collaborate with local government leaders and residents to increase the number of public parks with wireless access. City employees, industry representatives and interest groups plan to testify at the hearing.