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Manhattan Is Getting A 60 Block "Shared Streets" Slow Zone Saturday
By
Scott Heins
Published Aug 10, 2016
Modified Aug 10, 2016
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By
Scott Heins
Published Aug 10, 2016
Modified Aug 10, 2016
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Last weekend New Yorkers welcomed back Summer Streets, a city program that blocks off almost seven miles of Manhattan roadways so that pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy a beautiful, brief respite from cars. Now, the Department of Transportation plans to up the ante with its new "Shared Streets" plan, which is throwing a pedestrian-friendly party across 60 square blocks in Lower Manhattan.
From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday, August 13th, an area of Lower Manhattan below the Brooklyn Bridge, where Summer Streets begins/ends, will be staffed by DOT and NYPD officers encouraging vehicles not exceed speeds of 5 mph. Yes, this isn't a strictly car-free affair, but the idea is to carry the spirit of Summer Streets all the way down to Battery Park and "rediscover the commerce, culture, and history in this special district." In practice, that means taking in drum corps performances, competing in in the NYC History Trivia Quiz Game, checking out free maps that chart Lower Manhattan's most important moments dating back to the Dutch Colonial days, and sketching with free materials at a pop-up drawing studio.
Attendees cycling to Shared Streets will be able to utilize a free bike valet at Park Row, where there'll also be kids activities and multiple workshops on bike repair, as well as tandem bike lessons.
Check out a full list of the festivities below.
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shared streets
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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