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Hangin’ Out, In the Street
Summer Streets clears cars from 6.9 miles of NYC roads
Photo: nyc.gov
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Beginning tomorrow and for the next two Saturdays following, certain New York streets will be cleared of cars, taxis, trucks and other various automobiles for people to walk, bike and play. The event is called Summer Streets, sponsored by the New York Department of Transportation, and from 7 a.m.-1 p.m., it opens 6.9 miles (full map here) of normally congested roads to the citizens of New York. There will be activities throughout the day—including fitness classes, bike riding lessons, gardening exhibitions and live theater performances—not to mention all the healthy people riding their bike from Point A to B, rather than taking the subway.
Here’s some of what Summer Streets has to offer:
Dumpster Pools
They’re quite literally pools made of dumpsters (although clean, never used dumpsters), and they’ll be open from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Park Avenue and 40th Street. Space at the pools will be limited. Bracelets for timed admission will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Showers and changing facilities will be provided. If it’s good enough for Bill Murray, it’s good enough for us.
Uptown Rest Stop
Located at Park Avenue and 51st Street, this rest stop will feature a water station, free bike rental (Bike & Roll) and repair (Bike Habitat) and free skate rental and repair (Rollerblade). There will also be free bike valet parking and musical performances, tai chi demos and dance classes throughout the day.
Midtown Rest Stop
More water stations and free bike/blade and rentals/repairs. But the midtown stop at 24th Street between Park and Madison avenues will also have classes from Crunch Gyms, including the enticingly named “Belly, Butts and Thighs” and “Street Fighter,” which I can only assume will teach you how to be like Ryu.
SoHo Rest Stop
FringeNYC will set up shop at Lafayette Street between Kenmare and Spring streets from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for theater workshops and various performances. If you still think of the Fox show when you hear the word “Fringe,” you haven’t read Encore‘s August issue.
Foley Square Rest Stop
My favorite activity of the day occurs at Centre Street between Reade and Worth streets: the “New York Knicks Groove Truck.” I’m not sure exactly what that means, but you know it’s gonna be good (and probably better than the Knicks have been on the court in the past few years, actually). This stop will also adult bike riding lessons (hey, I learned 17; it’s never too late) and a five-mile fun run, if that’s your thing.
A full list of activities, times and locations can be found here.
Also, I assume that there’ll be swingin’, swayin’, records playin’ and dancin’ in the streets.