We already got a preview of the Parks Department's new mascot, Pearl the Squirrel—but over the weekend she was met by the masses, as commissioner Adrian Benepe introduced the first ever official city furry in Thomas Jefferson Park.
In his welcoming speech, he said: “I am very delighted to introduce my good friend and brand new Parkie, Pearl the Squirrel. Pearl will help Parks spread the word to New Yorkers—especially the kids—about the many opportunities we offer to get fit, dig in and go green." We're told Pearl was born in the Van Cortlandt Park Nature Preserve (even though she was really created in Salt Lake City), and is an Urban Park Ranger by day. She also enjoys riding her bike throughout the city Parks, so stay out of her bike lane, coyotes.
Check out some of the runners-up for park mascot here—we're sort of bummed Econout got edged out.
