NYC brings “Summer Streets” to all five boroughs this year

The summer season is upon us, and millions of New Yorkers are looking to spend more time outdoors. This year, the city will continue to turn its busy roadways into pedestrian, car-free spaces. For the first time ever, New York City is expanding its “Summer Streets” program to all five boroughs, providing New Yorkers with much-needed space for outdoor activities. The program will take place over five Saturdays between July and August.

The “Summer Streets” initiative began in 2008 when the city temporarily turned some busy Manhattan streets into outdoor recreational spaces. This summer, the program will double in size, covering nearly 20 miles of NYC streets. In 2022, the city expanded the "Summer Streets” initiative in East Harlem, stretching it to East 109th Street. This year, the program will go as far as West 125th Street.

“Something special happens when we open our streets to New Yorkers — so this year, we’re more than doubling the size of the Summer Streets programming and offering 20 miles of car-free streets across all five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “This is a bold new vision for public space in New York City — a bold new way of empowering residents, supporting local businesses, and creating open spaces.”

In the next two months, New York City invites its residents to participate in various activities, including cycling and dancing. In addition, the “Summer Streets” program will also host musical performances and invite New Yorkers to try rock climbing. In 2022, roughly 500,000 people participated in NYC’s “Summer Streets” program. However, opponents of this program argue that closed streets lead to an increase in traffic and congestion. 

Queens and Staten Island would be the first boroughs to close certain blocks to cars this year. The “Summer Streets" initiative will come to these boroughs on July 29. Manhattan will host this program on August 5, 12, and 19. The “Summer Streets" will go into force in Brooklyn and the Bronx on August 26. The annual celebration will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

“Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have already enjoyed Summer Streets in Manhattan, so there is clearly sufficient demand to expand the program to Queens and throughout the city,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our borough looks forward to what will be a fun and exciting Summer Streets Saturday along the Long Island City/Astoria waterfront on July 29.”

Image credit:

New York City Department of Transportation (Flickr)

Resources:
“Mayor Adams, DOT Commissioner Rodriguez Bring "Summer Streets" to All Five Boroughs,” (NYC, 2023)

“‘Summer Streets’ coming to all five boroughs this year,” by Devin Gannon (6sqft, 2023)

“‘The streets belong to you’: Summer Streets to open 20 miles of NYC roadways,” by Giulia Heyward (Gothamist, 2023)

“NYC ‘Summer Streets’ initiative will expand to all five boroughs this summer,” by Michael Dorgan (amNY, 2023)

“Summer Streets expands to 20 miles of car-free open space and will include Harlem for 1st time,” (ABC7 NY, 2023)