Open Streets in NYC
The first 7 miles of streets for pedestrians and cyclists are open now open from 8 am to 8 pm.
“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 — so opening up streets near or within these parks is one of the ways New Yorkers can get outside safely.” Mayor de Blasio said.
Here is the plan for the Open Streets as of May 2.
| 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 |
Source:nyc.gov
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 |
| 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 |
Source: nyc.gov
“Over the next month, we will create a minimum of 40 miles of open streets. And as the crisis continues, the goal is to get up to 100 miles,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Meanwhile, the PAUSE program will continue through May 15 and is expected to continue even longer for some of the most exciting summer activities in the City. New York City’s nonessential businesses will continue to be closed, and all nonessential gatherings will remain temporarily banned. Broadway performances, the City’s attractions, and museums, and all professional sporting events are closed or canceled.
However, the City Council wants to give a chance to New Yorkers to enjoy the nice weather safely on the streets and around park areas. You can check out the official DOT website for updates on street closures, new pedestrian and bike lanes, or follow the #OpenStreets.
Officials expect families to assemble on the playgrounds and at community pools so they will stay closed amid the summer. It’s not yet clear if the community beaches will stay closed too, but there is still hope that they might reopen. Beaches would be safer if limited to one-third or one-half of their typical density and if visitors wear masks, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital for the New York Times. She said pools, too, could be opened to small groups, especially since chlorine kills most germs and viruses, as long as the changing areas and surfaces around them are closely monitored or remain closed altogether.
