By the end of August networks will be established at 18 locations in 10 of New York’s most prominent parks, according to city officials. "Wifi in the parks provides an excellent podium for us to showcase these new kinds of applications." said Floris van de Klashorst, director in the multimedia unit at the Nokia office in New York, a sponsor of the project.

At each hot spot internet users will reach a web page with information about the park and local history, along with advertisements for nokia and other sponsors.

The first of 18 locations was activated last Thursday at the southern tip of Manhattan, in Battery Park. People with wifi enabled devices will be able to browse the internet, download files, check email – all at no cost.