Diaz named Greenway's first New York & New Jersey Coordinator

DURHAM, North Carolina - Based in New York City, Luis Diaz joined the East Coast Greenway Alliance staff Monday as the organization’s first-ever New York & New Jersey Coordinator. 

In this role, Diaz will carry region-wide responsibilities for all aspects of East Coast Greenway development. In addition to completing and monitoring Greenway signage and online routing in the region, he will work closely to form a network of strategic alliances in each state to continue Greenway progress. While working closely with the organization’s state committees and other volunteers, Diaz will assist with Alliance development efforts and event execution in New York and New Jersey. 

"I am thrilled to have Luis Diaz join our team. His experience in and passion for our most densely populated and diverse region of the East Coast Greenway will be a huge asset as we work to make biking and walking safer and more accessible for all,” East Coast Greenway Deputy Director Niles Barnes says.

“Luis’ leadership in New York and New Jersey supporting equitable outdoor access via Greenways will help improve the health of people and our environment.” 

Passionate about community engagement and economic development, Diaz recently graduated from New York City’s Pratt Institute with a Master of Science in City and Regional Planning. He completed his degree with a thesis entitled “Urban Planning and Queer Erasure: A Study of Hudson River Park and Reclaiming Our Spaces.”

“Growing up in the concrete jungle that is New York City, ample green spaces near my home were unavailable. Achieving equity and justice in its various forms drove me to become an urban planner,” Diaz says. 

“Advocating for and creating open spaces that are safe, accessible and provide a sense of community are what will improve the lives of those who interact with the East Coast Greenway. As a new planner fresh out of graduate school, I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned both in the classroom and through my previous experiences to help further the mission of the Alliance.”

Diaz has worked in public service roles with the New York Preservation Archive Project, Corporation for Supportive Housing and Columbia University Medical Center. He studied urban studies and public administration while earning a bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York.