The summer streets of New York

In August, the largest event of its kind in the US returns to New York to celebrate public space: Summer Streets 2019

On three consecutive Saturdays, August 3rd, 10th and 17th, the summer streets return to New York.
Approximately 7 miles (11 km) of road from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park is off-limits to motorized transportation.

This event has been organized for several years by the New York Department of Transportation, following the example of other similar events such as the Ciclovia of Bogotà in Colombia or the Paris Plage in France.

The aim is to raise citizens' awareness and encourage them to use sustainable and other means of transport. Another goal is to promote healthier lifestyles and create a more humane city.

For this purpose, the same Ministry of Transport maintains several partnerships every year to ensure the implementation of the most diverse activities in which citizens can participate absolutely free of charge.

The event will take place on all three dates between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

There are not only sports and fitness-related services for all ages and all physical and sporting abilities, but also cultural, artistic and musical events and activities for families and children.

There are 5 stops on the way from Central Park along Park Avenue via Lafayette Street to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Each of these points provides for the implementation of certain activities on the three different days of the event:

- Uptown Rest Stop (Address and Main Activity: 51st Street and Park Avenue, Kids Corner: Play for Free)

- Midtown Rest Stop (address and main activity: 25th Street and Park Avenue, City PicNic: free bites to try)

- Astor Place Service Area (Address and Main Activity: Astor Place and Lafayette Street, Dance Festival: Watch Free)

- SoHo Rest Stop (Address and Main Activity: Spring Street and Lafayette Street, Rock Wall & Fitness Zone: Workout Free)

- Foley Square Rest Stop (Address and Main Activity: Center Street and Lafayette Street, ZipLine & Sports Zone: Fly Free)

Given the large number of participants each year (just think that last year there were around 300,000 participants), my advice is to start early to be sure to be able to take part in the activities that interest you the most.

For example, international yoga teacher and physical therapist Lara Heimann organized an outdoor yoga class in Foley Square (with an entrance on the east sidewalk from Lafayette Street to Worth Street) on the morning of August 3rd. surpassing the Guinness record of 399 people performing a vertical at the same time. Pre-registration is recommended, but not mandatory. The first 400 guests to check in that day will receive a commemorative gift.

The area is central and therefore well connected and easily accessible by subway on lines 4, 5 and 6 or by bike.

For those who live further away, there is also the option of taking several trains: the Metro-North to 125th Street or the LIRR to Atlantic Terminal in downtown Brooklyn or NJ Transit to Penn Station. In any case, a small distance must then be covered on foot (or by bike for those who have one) to reach the destination. You can rent bikes with us. click