Thomas Merrill, a professor at Columbia Law School who has studied the public trust doctrine, agrees the city can't transfer a public park into private use without permission of the state Legislature.

WSJ: Fashion Week in Damrosch Park? Not Again, Advocates Say

In the 35-page complaint, the residents and parks groups argue that the city is required to ask the state Legislature for permission to lease Damrosch Park under a statute known as the public trust doctrine, which provides that public spaces should be used for public purposes.

WSJ: Fashion Week in Damrosch Park? Not Again, Advocates Say