Mayor Bill de Blasio insisted that even during the coronavirus pandemic, he opts to exercise in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park — 12 miles from Gracie Mansion — in order to remain an effective leader.
“I go get my exercise like everyone else,” the mayor said on NY1’s “Inside City Hall.”
“I go to my home neighborhood. It’s part of what helps me just continue to work nonstop,” he said. “I’m on conference calls pretty much the whole time.”
Hizzoner was responding to a question from a viewer about why he’s driven to Brooklyn for a walk in the park when his Upper East Side home abuts acres of waterfront parkland.
De Blasio has been spotted — and called out on social media — for his recent strolls inside Prospect Park with first lady Chirlane McCray.
The mayor’s favorite gym, the Park Slope YMCA, temporarily closed in March, along with all other state gyms, to help stem the tide of the virus.
On Monday night, he shrugged off the criticism, and defended his inter-borough trips.
“This is just something that we shouldn’t focus on. There’s much better things to talk about,” he said.
City parks have remained open during the coronavirus outbreak, though components of them — such as playgrounds and dog runs — have been shut down. Parkgoers are expected to maintain social distancing or risk a hefty $1,000 fine.
De Blasio, in trying to rationalize his long-distance strolls, said, “My situation is particular and I am here serving people … and I’m just doing something I think will help me to be the most effective.”