MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ALL OF PROSPECT PARK WILL BECOME PERMANENTLY CAR-FREE

Decision comes after first-ever car-free summer proved successful and popular with park-goers

  Kicking off City Hall in Your Borough, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that Prospect Park’s entire loop drive—east and west—will become permanently car-free. The change will be implemented on January 2, 2018 and follows the park’s first car-free summer. From July through September, cars had not been allowed on the park’s East Drive – now open to cars during morning rush hours.  The car-free hours had enormous support from the park’s recreational users, who outnumber cars more than 3-1 during morning hours.

“Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s backyard. I married Chirlane here. This is where my kids played little league. And I have always wanted it to be the safe, quiet refuge for Brooklyn’s families that it was intended to be.  Restoring Prospect Park as a car-free oasis will improve the lives of the millions who use this park today and of generations to come,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

During the car-free summer -- from July 17 until September 11^th -- the park’s new arrangement was popular with the park’s walkers, joggers, and cyclists who use the loop drive.  DOT estimates those recreational users outnumber cars during morning rush hours 1,000 to just 300. After Labor Day weekend, New York City received petitions with more than 1,100 signatures calling for the return of full-time car-free hours for the entire park. 

While the analysis of the car-free trial is still being finalized, its preliminary results clearly indicate no alternative driving route experienced more than a minimal delay, with most experiencing no change in travel times whatsoever. Based on that data, officials are now confident a fully car-free park can be implemented without adverse impact. These results are consistent with those seen after the closure of the West Drive in June 2015, when the most affected alternative southbound route saw an increased travel time of less than a minute, while other afternoon drivers actually saw travel times improve.  

“We are delighted to announce that Prospect Park will be completely car-free for the first time,” saidDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.  “Like the Mayor, I have spent countless hours enjoying the beauty of Prospect Park.  Cyclists, joggers and pedestrians, young and old, can rejoice year-round in a safer and quieter park.”   

“New Yorkers look to their parks for green space and fresh air,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.  “Completely removing car traffic from Prospect Park turns one of our most historic sites back over to the kids, joggers, ball players, picnickers, and amblers who love it.  Starting in January, all visitors to Prospect Park will enjoy cleaner air, improved safety – and peace and quiet.”