Finding a public bathroom in New York City may soon become a lot easier, thanks to a new initiative launched by Mayor Eric Adams. The program, called “Ur In Luck,” aims to expand access to public restrooms across the city’s five boroughs, addressing a long-standing issue for both residents and tourists.
The ambitious project will see the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) adding 46 new restrooms and renovating 36 existing ones over the next five years. As part of the plan, these improvements will be spread across the boroughs, with 10 new or renovated bathrooms in the Bronx, 23 in Brooklyn, 28 in Manhattan, 14 in Queens, and seven on Staten Island.
“Part of making New York City a more livable city is tackling the little things—the things we don’t think about until we need them,” said Mayor Adams in a press release. “Access to public restrooms is high on that list, maybe even number one or two.”
At present, New York City boasts nearly 1,000 restrooms serving a population of around 8 million people. Research indicates that having well-maintained public restrooms available boosts quality of life, prevents public health issues, and reduces occurrences of public urination and defecation.
The renovation efforts will not only add more stalls to existing bathrooms but will also incorporate accessibility upgrades and energy-efficient features. Meanwhile, the city is also introducing a new Google Maps layer that will help people locate every public restroom operated by city agencies and civic institutions.
Additionally, a new partnership with the Department of Transportation will bring 14 high-tech, self-cleaning automatic public toilets to city sidewalks and plazas, providing a more modern and sanitary solution for busy New Yorkers.
“Need a bathroom, ‘ur in’ luck!” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Everyone—seniors, parents with kids, anyone enjoying the day outdoors—needs access to a public bathroom without having to buy anything or beg for a code.”
In just the past five months, NYC Parks has already opened seven new restrooms at locations including Starlight Park in the Bronx, Maspeth Park in Queens, and Lopez Playground on Staten Island. The initiative also includes the addition of baby changing tables to public restrooms in city parks, a goal the department achieved ahead of schedule.
Teddy Siegel, founder of Got2GoNYC, an online community that helps people find accessible restrooms, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “The city’s action to tackle this pressing issue is a huge step and will improve the lives of all New Yorkers and tourists!”
With this new push for better restroom access, New York City is taking important strides to make life just a little bit easier for those always on the move.
