The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council and the New York City Department of Transportation just announced that the popular Open Streets Program has returned to the neighborhood for the first month of fall.
Similar to other areas in the past from Broadway to the Meatpacking District, Vanderbilt Avenue is car-free on weekends from Atlantic Avenue to Park Place.
Since New Yorkers grew so fond of traffic-free weekends, Open Streets returned to Vanderbilt Avenue in 2021. Last year’s return brought additional space, more bike lanes, new barriers and even a schedule for arts and culture events.
This season, Vanderbilt Avenue is once again car-free to give residents the space to gather, eat, drink, and play. Weekend programming will resume with tons of exciting events like poetry readings, cooking & art classes, a circus, and the final Salsa party of the year!
The program provides “a sense of community and social togetherness in a time of forced solitude,” shared one resident.
See schedule below:
Saturday, September 10
- Bindlestiff Family Cirkus & the Flatbed Follies at 5pm
Sunday, September 11
- African Peach Arts Coalition (APAC) will host a spoken word installation at 3pm
Saturday, September 17
- “Kids Can Cook” session at 2pm
- Salsa lessons & final dance party at 4pm
Saturday, September 24
- Arts & Crafts from 2pm – 4pm
- Open Streets Poetry Series at 5pm
Sunday, September 25
- Tie dye lesson
Find more scheduled events here.
The Open Streets Program first came about at the start of the pandemic as an economic relief program for small businesses. After implementing the program, restaurants saw an average increase of 54% in customer visits, a 45% increase in staff and an estimated 65-70 jobs added, reports Vanderbilt Open Streets.
“Open Streets increased our income significantly and allowed us to keep employees. The program not only brought back many of our customers but brought us many new ones,” says Ellen Fishman, owner of Prospect Heights’ Amorina Cucina Rustica.
More efforts will be put in place to focus on clear signage for pedestrians and cyclists, along with improved logistical support and accessibility for emergency vehicles, thanks to the management team made up entirely of volunteers.
To learn more, see here.
When: Friday from 5 – 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from noon – 10pm through September and Labor Day, Monday September 5th, from noon – 10pm
Where: On Vanderbilt Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to Park Place