June 6th was a great day, for that was when the New York Court of Appeals handed down a 5-1 decision upholding a lower court ruling that prevented a mall from being built on public parkland at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The state’s highest court sided with park advocates, rejecting the argument put forth by the City that shopping at a mall is a form of recreation that is appropriate in a park setting. Embarrassingly, in late 2015, the City Council passed a resolution co-sponsored by Council Member Karen Koslowitz to authorize the submitting of an amicus brief in support of the City’s argument. Instead of upholding her duty to protect public parkland, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley voted in favor of the mall. Reporters have questioned whether the City may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but plaintiff’s lawyers have noted that there is no federal issue under scrutiny in this case.