NYC DOT and its partners are proud to present Summer Streets. This summer, for the fourth year in a row, Summer Streets will temporarily close Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park to motor vehicles and open it up to people on three consecutive Saturdays in August (August 6, 13, & 20).

Summer Streets takes place on consecutive Saturdays in the summer (the 2011 dates are August 6, 13 and 20) from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm. The 2011 route connects the Brooklyn Bridge with Central Park, with recommended spurs along low-traffic streets to the Hudson River Greenway, Harlem and Governors Island, allowing participants to plan a route as long or short as they wish.

Summer Streets takes a valuable public space – our City’s streets – and opens them up to people to play, walk, bike, and breathe. Summer Streets provides more space for healthy recreation and is a part of NYC’s greening initiative by encouraging New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

Summer Streets is modeled on other events from around the world including Bogotá, Colombia’s Ciclovia, Paris Plage, and even New York’s own Museum Mile, the event is part bike tour, part block party, a great time for exercise, people watching, and just enjoying summer mornings.

Summer Streets is a project of NYC DOT. DOT is joined by several other City agencies and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to present Summer Streets.

Summer Streets will once again have a range of dynamic programming along the route. This year’s lineup:

• Sand boxes for everyone to enjoy and live sand sculpting by Matt Long of Sand Masters in Foley Square.
• Free bicycle and rollerblade rentals at select locations.
• REI Adventure Zone at Spring Street: yoga, running and other free classes, rock climbing, bike techs on site, travel photo contest and more.
• Helmet giveaways and an interactive truck safety activity.
• Storytelling activities hosted by StoryCorps.
• Guacamole making demonstrations hosted by Chipotle at 52nd Street.
• Whole Foods Family Picnic Area at 24th Street.
• Summer Streets Cook-Off on August 6.
• Learn to Ride bicycle classes offered by Bike New York.
• Transportation Alternatives will lead bicycle “feeder rides” to Summer Streets from the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
• Free Bike Valet parking.
• Free performances from the Fringe Jr. Festival in Foley Square

For more info: NYC.gov