Host Weekend Walks

people walking along a car-free street visiting various booths and activities

Weekend Walks are multi-block, multi-day events on commercial corridors that promote the use of streets as public space while highlighting local businesses and neighborhood resources. NYCDOT provides limited funding to community based organizations to close commercial streets to vehicles and provide programming that highlights local businesses and New York City’s unique neighborhoods. All events are free and open to the public.

This upcoming year, NYCDOT will partner with over 50 community-based organizations to produce more than 125 car-free events covering over 16 miles of New York City streets, with events being held throughout the five boroughs. These events feature family-friendly activities and active lifestyle programming while supporting local businesses.

The window to submit an application for 2020 has closed, but you can find more information about hosting a Weekend Walks event, in the guidelines document.

Basic Guidelines
Basic requirements for participating in the Weekend Walks program include:

  • Events must occur along primarily commercial corridors within the five boroughs
  • Proposing organizations must have strong ties to the community and be a not-for-profit entity
  • Events should engage and support local businesses and community based organizations
  • All events and programming should be open to the public
  • Minimum length is 2 blocks, maximum length is 10 blocks
  • Minimum number of days is 2, maximum number of days is 10
  • Events must be on a recurring and predictable schedule (e.g. every Saturday in June, first Fridays in the summer, etc.)
  • Consecutive dates (e.g. Saturday 8/16 and Sunday 8/17) are not permitted
  • Vending or sales of any kind is prohibited at Weekend Walks events


Partner Responsibilities
Partners enter into an agreement with NYCDOT for community management services and will agree to provide:

  • Programing that promotes the use of streets as public space
  • Ongoing communication with NYPD, Community Board, and other government agencies
  • Coordination with local businesses, community based organizations, etc.
  • Securing a SAPO permit and providing all necessary documents, permits, and licenses per NYCDOT’s and SAPO’s timelines
  • Attend a mandatory partner meeting


NYCDOT Responsibilities

  • Assistance coordinating with city agencies
  • Providing movable furniture and some programming amenities
  • Limited funding based on availability and size of the proposed event


Weekend Walks Partner Information and Forms
If you are a community-based partner participating in Weekend Walks 2020, please see below for links to important documents you will need for your events.
2020 Partner Meeting Presentation
Weekend Walks Partner Agreement
Doing Business Data Form
Run of Show Example
Run of Show Template
SAPO Permit Application and Vendor List Guide
Site Plan Example
Site Plan Template
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