100 streets across NYC to go car-free for Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day, the city’s Department of Transportation is hosting the annual Car Free Earth Day, connecting over 100 open streets across the five boroughs, 22 plazas, and over 1,000 miles of the city’s bike network on April 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. City agencies and community organizations will host programming along the streets to promote environmental activism and education about climate change, sustainability, and other related topics. DOT will also partner with local artists who will be putting on live performances.
Car Free Earth Day will take place at the following locations:
- The Bronx, Roberto Clemente Plaza, 3rd Avenue, 148th Street to 149th Street
- The Bronx, Southbound Mosholu Parkway, Van Cortlandt Avenue East to Bainbridge Avenue
- Brooklyn, Tompkins Avenue, Gates Avenue to Halsey Street
- Manhattan, Avenue B, East 6th Street to East 14th Street
- Manhattan, Broadway, East 17th Street to West 42nd Street
- Manhattan, St. Nicholas Avenue, 181st Street to 190th Street
- Queens, 34th Avenue, 69th Street to 94th Street
- Staten Island, Minthorne Street, Bay Street to Victory Boulevard
“Car-Free Earth Day is a growing tradition that allows New York City’s car-free streets to come alive,” Ydanis Rodriguez, DOT Commissioner, said. “The last two years – of Open Streets, Open Restaurants, the surge in cycling and so much more — have only made us appreciate even more how much better we must treat Mother Earth — and a day without cars allows us to envision a more sustainable world for more than just one day.”
There are a wide variety of activities sharing important information on sustainability and environmental activism at locations across the city, including workshops and demonstrations by DOT, NYC Parks, and other city agencies.
The NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) will be hosting a workshop that teaches all about urban design and how the agency is revisiting urban design principles to better address sustainability. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will also be teaching participants about environmental sustainability and doing fun giveaways.
There will be a variety of activities to get people exercising, including an obstacle course created by The Armory Foundation where kids will use jump ropes, hula hoops, and agility ladders in hopes of winning a prize. Children are invited to participate in soccer games and drills hosted by the Uptown Soccer Academy.
Artist performances include a circus variety show at the Bronx’s Mosholu Parkway, ensemble dancing and jazz vocal performances at St. Nicholas Avenue, and much more. A full list of activities at each location can be found here.
“I look forward to enjoying this year’s Car-Free Earth Day utilizing this temporary expansion of public space, with great connections to some of our borough’s and city’s best Open Streets,” Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President, said.
“We should treat every day like it’s Car-Free Earth Day by investing heavily in expansions of bus lanes, bike lanes, public space, and Open Streets, and I look forward to working with the Administration to making Manhattan a healthier and greener borough.”
Car-Free Earth Day was first conceptualized by Rodriguez when he was serving as Council Transportation Chair, and since its creation has partnered with a diverse selection of the city’s artists, performers, organizations, companies, and agencies to advocate for environmental sustainability.
DOT is looking for volunteers passionate about the environment, health, and fitness to help at select events and locations, and those interested in doing so can find more information by emailing [email protected].
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