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 Healthy Living | ||||
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Play Streets | ||||
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To help combat the childhood obesity epidemic in New York City, the New York City Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Transportation (DOT) are working to expand Play Streets. Play Streets allow schools and community groups with insufficient active play spaces to open up adjacent streets for physical activity, benefiting students and local residents. Play Streets can be set up in all five boroughs in areas needing more play spaces. Play Streets are a quick and low-cost way to create active play space that directly targets our city’s most important at-risk population—children. What Are Play Streets?
Play Streets are car-free streets on quieter blocks that provide school children and communities with space to carry out active recess, physical education and structured or unstructured physical activity. Play Streets can be used by the community for outdoor activities, like sports, active games, bicycling and dance classes. The program’s goal is to help children and families be more active in order to help address the city’s childhood obesity epidemic.
► See if there’s a Play Street in your neighborhood. How Do Play Streets Work?
Play Streets can be organized and supervised by either a school or a community group. No through traffic is allowed on the block during Play Street hours. In addition, the block must be a one-way traffic street and cannot cross an intersection. Read here about creating a school or community Play Street.
► Download a Play Streets guide. ► Download a , Community Play Streets guide. School Play StreetsSteps for Creating a School Play StreetApproval, Permit, and Operation of your School Play Street
Who Can Apply: Public and private schools in all five boroughs can apply.Note: Once your school is approved for a Play Street permit, it is valid for future years. You don’t have to re-apply each year.
Complete the Play Streets Eligibility Worksheet for each proposed street. This will help determine prospective locations for your Play Street. Step 2: Complete the Complete the Play Streets Expression of Interest . Step 3: Email or fax the completed forms to: Playstreet@health.nyc.gov Or Fax: 347-396-4359 Step 4: After NYC DOHMH Play Streets contacts you with initial approval, complete the Play Streets Permit Application Obtain sign off from your 1) local community board (CB), and 2) local police department (PD) precinct. Step 5: Email or fax the completed Play Streets Permit Application (approved and signed by all parties) to: Playstreet@health.nyc.gov Or Fax: 347-396-4359 
Additional Guidance: The DOHMH Play Streets Coordinator will submit your application to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). Once submitted to the DOT, the approval process to issue the permit typically takes 7-9 weeks. DOHMH will contact the applicant regarding final decision of the DOT. Once approved, DOT will provide the Play Street sign(s), indicating days and hours of street closure. In addition, the police precinct should provide the barricades to be used during the Play Street hours of operation. Contact the community affairs department at your local police department precinct to schedule a drop-off time of the barricades. If you need additional assistance, contact the Play Streets Coordinator (playstreet@health.nyc.gov). Supporting Documents You Will Need:
Community Play StreetsSteps for Creating a Community Play Street
Approval, Permit, and Operation of your Community Play StreetWho Can Apply Community groups in New York City can apply. Your Play Streets permit is good for one calendar year. How to Apply
Complete the Play Streets Eligibility Worksheet for each proposed street. This will help determine prospective locations for your Play Street. Step 2: Complete the Complete the Play Streets Expression of Interest . Step 3: Email or fax the completed forms to: Playstreet@health.nyc.gov Or Fax: 347-396-4359 Step 4: After NYC DOHMH Play Streets contacts you with initial approval, complete the Play Streets Permit Application. Obtain sign off from your 1) local community board (CB), and 2) local police department (PD) precinct. Step 5: Email, fax or mail the Play Streets Permit Application (approved and signed by all parties) to: Playstreet@health.nyc.gov Or New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Attn: Play Streets Coordinator 42-09 28th Street, 09-51 Long Island City, NY 11101 Fax: 347-396-4359 
Additional Guidance: The NYC Health Department Play Streets Coordinator will submit your application to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). Once submitted to the DOT, the approval process to issue the permit typically takes 7-9 weeks. DOHMH will contact the applicant regarding final decision of the DOT. Once approved, DOT will provide the Play Street sign(s), indicating days and hours of street closure. In addition, the police precinct should provide the barricades to be used during the Play Street hours of operation. Contact the community affairs department at your local police department precinct to schedule a drop-off time of the barricades. If you need additional assistance, contact the Play Streets Coordinator (playstreet@health.nyc.gov). Supporting Documents You Will Need: Available FundingEvery year, the Citizens Committee for New York City (CCNYC) provides mini-grants of up to $3,000 that Play Street organizers (both community organizations and schools) can apply for. Grantees are eligible to apply for mini-grants every year. Deadline for grant applications is January 31st. For more information, please visit Citizens Committee for New York City. Last Updated April 3, 2013 | | ||
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