Huang, along with other protesters, gathered at City Hall Thursday, in spite of rainy weather, to rally against proposed budget cuts to the city's Parks Department.

District Council 37, which represents more than 1,500 city Parks Department workers, organized the rally.

The cuts could affect approximately 800 parks, green spaces, pools, and recreation centers around the city. The city has also proposed that Parks Department employees be converted into part-time workers transitioning from year-round positions, to either nine or 6-month posts. Closing city pools two weeks early in the summer is another component of the agreement.

Additionally protestors complained that the cuts would make clean up and general security more difficult. Other Parks Department employees explained that closing pools two weeks early would lead to danger, noting that the last two weeks in summer are usually the hottest in the city.

The proposed cuts may even be felt around campus, as Washington Square Park is still undergoing renovations that are set to end in spring 2012.

Greenwich Village resident, Sly Farris attended because he can't bear the idea that WSP might never be finished.

"I'm so tired of seeing those gates up around the square; I'd like to see the construction finish already. I don't think it's going to be done any sooner if these cuts get passed."