Over seven miles in all five boroughs; Streets will be open each day to pedestrians and cyclists — with limited vehicle traffic — from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson today announced the first group of streets that would be opened to pedestrians and cyclists every day starting next week, when spring temperatures are forecasted to arrive. The streets, spanning over seven miles and reaching all five boroughs, are part of the Open Streets initiative designed to provide greater social distancing among New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers deserve safe ways to enjoy the warm weather while we fight through this crisis, and I’m proud of my team for jumping into action with this first group of open streets,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Our parks have played a critical role in maintaining public health during this crisis. But we cannot afford to have a high demand for open space create unhealthy situations. That’s why we’re opening streets and offering more options for New Yorkers to get outside safely.”
"Today is a great first step and an exciting day for an entire city starved of adequate open space,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. The Council is glad our efforts on this initiative have brought us this far, and we are eager to work with our colleagues in government, community groups, and our neighbors to keep expanding this program in a safe, effective, and enjoyable way. While we continue our fight against this awful virus, we need to give people the space they need to maintain proper social distancing, and I'm glad we're making progress towards that goal.”
“As we continue to fight this virus, we need to provide New Yorkers with public spaces to properly socially distance while ensuring our streets remain safe,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “I applaud and thank our agencies, the City Council, and countless partners across New York City for collaborating on a quick and actionable open streets plan. We look forward to naming even more streets in the coming weeks.”
On Monday, the Mayor and the Council announced that 40 miles of streets citywide would be opened during May to allow greater social distancing, with a plan to expand to 100 total miles to be identified in the weeks ahead.
Beginning Monday, May 4, the following streets within parks will be open:
|
Park
|
Boro
|
Street
|
From
|
To
|
Mileage
|
|
Fort Tryon Park
|
MN
|
Margaret Corbin Drive
|
Fort Washington Ave
|
Cabrini Blvd
|
0.88
|
|
Forest Park
|
QN
|
Freedom Drive
|
Park Lane S
|
Myrtle Ave
|
1.10
|
|
|
|
East Main Drive
|
Metropolitan Ave
|
Overlook Parking Lot
|
|
|
|
|
West Main Drive
|
Band Shell Lot
|
Golf Course Lot
|
|
|
Silver Lake Park
|
SI
|
Silver Lake Park Rd
|
Forest Ave
|
Victory Blvd
|
0.72
|
|
Callahan-Kelly
|
BK
|
Sackman Pl
|
Truxton St
|
Fulton St
|
0.05
|
|
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
|
QN
|
Meadow Lake Drive
|
Model Airplane Field
|
Meadow Lk Bridge Parking Lot
|
1.50
|
|
Grant Park
|
BX
|
Grant Ave
|
170th St
|
169th St
|
0.20
|
|
Total mileage
|
|
|
|
|
4.45
|
The following streets adjacent to parks will also be open.
Park Boro Street From To Mileage
Williamsbridge
Oval BX
Reservoir Oval E/W Bainbridge
Ave Bainbridge Ave 0.60
Court
Square QN Court Sq W Jackson Ave Dead End 0.10
Carl
Schurz Park MN East End Ave E 83rd St E 89th St 0.31
Lt.
William Tighe
Triangle MN Dyckman St Broadway Seaman 0.05
Prospect
Park BK Prospect Park West 3rd Street Garfield Place 0.15
Prospect Park BK Parkside Ave Park
Circle Ocean Ave 0.56
Stapleton
Waterfront
Park SI Front Street Canal St Edgewater St 0.51
Highbridge
Park MN Laurel Hill Terrace Amsterdam Ave Amsterdam Ave 0.41
Total mileage 2.69
Pedestrians and cyclists can use the roadbed of each open street. No through traffic will be permitted, with remaining vehicle traffic limited to local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service vehicles, and emergency vehicles only. These drivers are alerted to be hyper-vigilant and to drive at 5 MPH along these routes.
“We are excited to announce this first group of Open Streets for pedestrians and cyclists, many of which are in and around our parks, which have already proven to be such a precious resource during this crisis,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “But today’s streets are only the first step. We have many more miles in our sights. We urge Community Boards, BIDs and neighborhood organizations to recommend other streets we can open – particularly in areas that have been hard hit by COVID-19.”
“The additional open space that this plan provides by way of our parks, their perimeters and so much more, goes a long way toward encouraging New Yorkers to socially distance and ensuring our city’s safety and health,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “I am inspired by the way that our sister agencies have come together to reimagine the use of the public realm.”
