Press Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #18-042
July 20, 2018
Scott Gastel/Alana Morales (212) 839-4850

NYC DOT Announces 11th Annual “Summer Streets” Along Park Avenue, Connecting Streets from Central Park to Brooklyn Bridge

Seven miles of car-free streets on three August Saturdays will include returning favorites, as well as new activities

The New York City Department of Transportation today announced its eleventh annual Summer Streets, taking place on Saturdays August 4th, 11th and 18th from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Park Avenue, Lafayette and Centre Streets from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge. DOT will once again curate an expanded roster of fun and free activities along the route.

“In its eleventh summer, Summer Streets will once again offer miles of fun, family-friendly and free activities, all in space that is blissfully free of cars and traffic,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “This year’s Summer Streets activations will allow New Yorkers to see their streets in new and exciting ways. We encourage everyone to get out this year – and enjoy what has become over the last decade one of the great traditions of a New York summer.”

Since 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation has presented Summer Streets along nearly seven miles of streets made accessible to the public for outdoor recreation – walking, running, cycling and playing, in addition to many free activities for all ages. Last year, 300,000 people attended Summer Streets, walking or biking along the event’s open, car-free streets.

The theme of Summer Streets 2018 is finding joy in unexpected moments. Whether that be getting in a great workout, hearing your favorite instrument, eating a delicious meal, learning a new skill, or the thrill of an adventure, this year’s programming explores this theme by offering the public unique moments that will bring joy to all who participate.

Summer Streets 2018 activities and programming will include:
Uptown Rest Stop: Children’s Corner

  • Kid Fitness Zone: New to the Uptown Rest Stop this year is the Kid Fitness Zone with programming presented by GoGo squeeZ, PopFit Kids and NYC Parks Fitness. Come test your skills through PopFit’s kid-friendly edition of an obstacle course, which will be complete with high-energy, non-stop action where everyone will get moving under, over, inside and out...testing skills of strength, balance, focus and speed. There will also be an opportunity to hit the gym right on the street with the NYC Parks’ Fitness Mobile Recreation Program on the 4th and 18th, or participate in fitness classes lead by Shape Up instructors on the 11th. Grab a squeezable, go-anywhere pouch made of 100% real fruit from GoGo squeeZ to cool off after you get your heart racing
  • Arts & Cultural Workshops: A variety of fun and interactive workshops geared towards children ages 2 and up will be presented within the DOT Arts and Cultural Hub at Rudin Plaza. Visit with some of the City’s most coveted cultural institutions, such as The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, El Museo del Barrio, NY Botanical Garden, the Museum of Art and Design, and many more to learn about their exciting offerings and create your own craft to take home. Special thanks to Rudin Management for hosting the Arts and Cultural Hub.
  • Performance Stage: A diverse spread of musical, theatrical and dance performances from the Tai Chi Society, Gibney Dance, The Afro-Latineers, Dayboat Brass Quartet, Ori Manea Tahitian Dance School, Dream Street Theatre Company, NYC Kids Project, and many more!
  • Municipal Art Society Historical Walking Tours: Explore the art and architecture of Park Avenue and beyond, alongside seasoned art and architectural historians, on timed, guided walking tours. Registration is required in advance. Visit www.nyc.gov/summerstreets to secure a spot today.
  • DOT Safety Zone: Visit the always popular Safety Zone to learn about Shared Streets and experience Truck’s Eye View, in which children and adults can climb into a parked truck to experience a truck driver’s perspective on the roadway
  • Bike Programming: Free bike rentals by Bike & Roll will be available throughout the day, in addition to free bike valet organized by Transportation Alternatives and a bike service station lead by Bike NY.
Midtown Rest Stop: City Picnic
  • Food and Beverage Sampling Zone: Stop by for yummy treats and refreshing beverages! Vendors such as Obrigado, Hippies, Lifeway, Nuun, Kevita, Krave Jerky, Skinny Pop and Purity Organics will offer free samples throughout the day so make sure this is first on your list in order to beat the crowds.
  • Performance Stage: Featuring musical performances from acts such as Drumadics Beat-N-Brass Band, Karikatura Street Band, YAZBAND, Baby Soda Jazz Band, John James, Moondrunk and many more
  • Bike Programming: Summer Streets goers will get a chance to rent bikes and skates for free from Bike & Roll, as well as Go! Sports USA. The Five Borough Bicycle Club will be offering free bike repairs, and there will be free bike riding workshops hosted by Bike NY. Transportation Alternatives will be providing a free bike valet. Citi Bike is also inviting everyone to their pop-up Citi Bike Museum!
  • Astor Place Rest Stop: Outdoor Adventure
    • Clif Kids Park: The Clif Kids Park experience invites children under 12 to ride through a custom pump track that mimics what they would find in the many mountain bike trails in the area. Clif will have coaches from Highland Mountain Bike Park on site that will teach even beginner cyclists how to ride the track- allowing them to build cycling skills that will give them more confidence when riding back at home. New this year to the Clif Kids Park is a soccer skills zone developed in partnership with the New York Red Bulls. Both new and experienced players will have a great time playing skill games with trainers from the Red Bull youth soccer programs. And of course, to fuel all of this fun, Clif Kids will be serving up our newest products – Zbar Filled and ZFruit (our nut free option).
    • BBF Adaptive Bouldering Wall & Obstacle Course: Join the Brooklyn Boulders Foundation to test your skills on an eight foot tall bouldering wall. Leave the ropes and harnesses behind and scale this wall with ease. The Bouldering Wall and Obstacle Course by the Brooklyn Boulders Foundation was co-designed by West coast-based Vertical Solutions featuring wood paneling, and a pull-up bar feature. The obstacle course includes accessible features for all abilities to be able to complete the course. Challenge yourself and get through quickly for a prize or race against a friend. Even if this is your first time, don’t worry, there will be plenty of safety mats to catch your fall.
    • I LOVE NY Mobile Visitor’s Center: If you are itching to escape the NYC heat, visit the I LOVE NY Mobile Visitor’s Center to find the perfect NY State destination based on your interests. Also, grab a photo in front of the 360 degree photo backdrop or play trivia to win fun NY-centric prizes.
    • Gazillion Bubble Show’s Bubble Garden: Experience the fun and excitement of the Gazillion Bubble Show by making bubbles of all sizes and learning new bubble tricks that will amaze and dazzle you!
    SoHo Rest Stop: Fitness Zone
    • Fitness and Healthy Living: Fitness activations return to the SoHo Rest Stop this year with great new partners, including Pop Up Yoga, who will be offering meditation and yoga classes. The New York Health & Racquet Club will be offering Zumba, dance, and cardio classes, and WRK NYC will bring bootcamp classes for all to enjoy
    • Dog Park & Agility Course: Bring your furry friends to the Paws and Play Dog Park for a chance to make new friends and play with fellow dogs of New York! Dogs are invited to roll around on a grassy knoll, splash around in small pools, test their skills in an agility course hosted by Martial Arts, and learn canine conditioning skills hosted by Dog Hauz and play within a dog park alongside their owners.
    Foley Square Rest Stop: Extreme Sports
    • Zip Line: The 165'-long, 30’-high zipline will return to Summer Streets this year. Soar down Centre Street and catch a bird’s-eye view of NYC.
    • Honest Tea Mobile Tea Garden: Honest Tea will be bringing its Mobile Tea Garden, an immersive experience highlighting the brand’s 20th anniversary and the impact of Fair Trade Certified sourcing and organic ingredients, to Summer Streets.
    • Street Games: A new activation this year is sponsored by the Chinatown Partnership. Summer Streets goers will have a chance to test their skills on large-scale board game favorites, like chess, checkers, Connect 4, and Jenga at the Foley Square Rest Stop.
    • Hand Cycle and Adaptive Basketball: Participants will be able to test a high profile prototype hand-cycle model, which allows for easy transfers between a wheelchair and the hand-cycle. Nearby, The Wheelchair Sports Federation invites the public to participate in basketball training sessions, live games or watch an exhibition of practicing adaptive basketball teams
    • Pop-Up Performances: Join the Bryant Park Jugglers, the Hoop Movement, HONK NYC, Fogo Azul, and Batingua for a series of pop-up performances at Foley Square. Learn to juggle, hula hoop or embrace the sounds of live horn players and drummers.
    • Bike Programming: Bike & Roll will be providing free bike rentals at Foley Square, in addition to Midtown. Bike NY will have a service station offering free tire inflation, chain lubrication, and a bike safety inspection. Transportation Alternatives will also be providing a free bike valet service.

    A number of City agencies will also be participating in this year’s Summer Streets throughout the various rest stops – including DSNY, who will bring out their ever popular recycling characters for selfies and photos and DEP with their NYC Water on the Go stations. Grab your reusable water bottle and join us at any of the five rest stops to fill up with NYC water. In addition, DOT will showcase a number of our signature programs: DOT Adopt-A Highway, DOT Sidewalks, DOT SIM Pedestrian Ramps Unit and DOT Pedestrian Projects Group. The ever popular DOT Safety Zone hosted by DOT Safety Education team will return to the Uptown Rest Stop, as well as DOT Helmet Fitting at the Midtown Rest Stop and Foley Square Rest Stop to fit between 3,000 and 5,000 helmets over the course of the three days. DOT offers its thanks to The Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management, NYPD and FDNY for their support.

    “CLIF Kid challenges families to get outside and play every day. We want kids to be kids and encourage families to feed their adventure and discover new frontiers in the great outdoors- parks, backyards AND city sidewalks,” said Will Yandell, CLIF Regional Marketing Manager, Northeast. “Summer Streets is the perfect way to have a great adventure in New York City and this year the CLIF Kid Park will be more fun than it’s ever been before.”

    “Adaptive Climbing Group a program of the Brooklyn Boulders Foundation is delighted to join the DOT for NYC Summer Streets for the 3rd year in a row,” said Kareemah Batts, Adaptive Program Manager of the Brooklyn Boulders Foundation. “Last year we premiered the climbing wall with bouldering. This time adding a top rope feature to be more accessible for people with different mobility abilities. We are redesigning our obstacle course and excited for the additional space to give a fantastic experience, with new elements.”

    “Ever since its inception, the Summer Streets program has been a constant hit. This year, we are delighted to partner with DOT to unveil new games such as the giant Chinese Chess game for the first time, which will increase your brain activity and create better mental acuity," said Chinatown Partnership Executive Director Willington Z. Chen. “Come on down to Foley Square to learn and show us your best moves and see who can claim the title of the Best Mover and Shaker of the Square. We look forward to seeing you all joining in the fun!"

    “HONK NYC returns to Summer Streets to presents three fabulous, quintessentially New York ensembles: Haitian carnival band Plezi Rara, Brooklyn community sensation The L Train Brass Band, and The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band," said Sara Valentine, Festival Director of HONK NYC. “HONK NYC's mission is to bring street band music & spectacle culture to audiences everywhere -- Summer Streets brings this dream to life!"

    “You know it’s officially summer in the city when DOT announces Summer Streets. Summer Streets is a great way for New Yorkers and tourists alike to experience all NYC has to offer and it promotes healthy activities like walking, running, and biking through an innovative, 21st century pedestrian experience," said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “I applaud Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg for continuing this summer tradition and I invite one and all to join in on the fun of Summer Streets this year."

    “Summer in New York City is an exciting time full of beautiful weather and fun activities,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “I am thrilled that Summer Streets is coming back for its eleventh summer to offer our residents family-friendly activities along a seven-mile stretch of car-free streets. I look forward to joining my fellow New Yorkers in exercising, listening to music, trying great food, and enjoying all the other resources that Summer Streets offers.””

    “The Summer Streets program which is now in its 11th year, is a wonderful program that enables New Yorkers every August to reclaim nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets to run, walk and bike," said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “Thank you, to Mayor de Blasio and DOT Commissioner Trottenberg, for continuing this great tradition for New Yorkers to truly experience and enjoy their city in a safe and fun environment that is free of vehicles.”"

    “Over the last ten years, Summer Streets has evolved into a cherished annual event that encourages everyone from families with toddlers to senior citizens to get outside and enjoy everything summer offers. This year’s program includes a multitude of healthy activities for New Yorkers to experience together. I commend Commissioner Trottenberg for continuing this tradition and keeping summer activities accessible through car-free zones,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez.

    “Summer Streets celebrates the very best of our city for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Thanks to the work of DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Mayor DeBlasio, and the New York Commission of Transportation, New Yorkers can bike and walk to sample the vast array of cultural offerings and recreational activities in our City free of cars and trucks. I'm thrilled to see Summer Streets continue to thrive for 11 years and running,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman.

    “Whether it’s experiencing what it’s like to zipline, climbing a bouldering wall, or making bubbles in a bubbling garden, there’s truly something for everyone at this year’s Summer Streets,” said State Senator Liz Krueger. “Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg for continuing to support this successful program that gives New Yorkers a chance to connect with their neighbors and their communities in a streetscape free from cars.”

    “Summer Streets gives all New Yorkers a chance to come together to celebrate our public spaces,” said Assembly Member Dan Quart. “Now in its eleventh year, Summer Streets has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy car-free streets lined with family-friendly, free activities. Promoting sustainable forms of transportation is vital for the health of our city and I applaud the many organizations and agencies involved in creating this wonderful event.”

    “During my tenure as Committee Chair, it has been my priority to open our streets to pedestrians and cyclists, and bring quality educational and cultural programming closer to New Yorkers,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, chair of the Council Committee on Transportation. “In working with Commissioner Trottenberg we’ve established Car Free Day as an annual event on the Saturday before Earth Day. With CFD and Summer Streets, we encourage New Yorkers to add fewer vehicles on our roads. I congratulate the commissioner and her team on what will be another successful Summer Streets event. I am certainly looking forward to it.”

    "Like a cherry on top of a sundae or strawberries mixed with cream, Summer Streets and the month of August just belong together. Now in its second decade, this annual rite of summer will continue to delight pedestrians and cyclists in Lower Manhattan and throughout our city with an even larger offering of programs and activities. I thank the Mayor and Commissioner Trottenberg for their commitment to Summer Streets and I look forward to joining thousands of my fellow New Yorkers out on the pavement in August,” said Council Member Margaret Chin.

    “There’s nothing like New York in the summer, and there’s really nothing like seven miles of open road. Summer Streets opens up congested roads for pedestrians, cyclists, and runners to enjoy in August. Residents in my district can join in activities, including a performance stage, fitness zone, and bike programming, on Park Avenue offered from this great initiative. I congratulate the DOT on another year of Summer Streets,” said Council Member Keith Powers.

    For more information about Summer Streets, including a route map and street closure information, please visit www.nyc.gov/dot or www.nyc.gov/summerstreets.

    2018 Summer Streets Map

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