New York City is definitely a walking town, but that doesn't mean the traffic isn't brutal. In fact, traffic congestion is so bad that the City is proposing a congestion tax, that would charge drivers traveling in highly congested areas during the times of day when traffic is at its heaviest.
To encourage walking and public transportation, NYC will hold its third annual Car Free Earth Day event on Saturday April 21, 2018, the day before Earth Day. From 9-3pm Broadway from Times Square to Union Square, will be closed to cars and only available to pedestrians and cyclists.
“We are giving the streets back to pedestrians and cyclists,” city Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said in a statement.
At six rest stops along the two-mile route there will be programming and activities for visitors to enjoy.
The rest stops include:
- Times Square (42nd Street and Broadway)
- Garment (38th Street and Broadway)
- Herald Square (34th Street and Broadway)
- City Zone (26th Street and Broadway)
- Flatiron (23rd Street and Broadway)
- Union Square (17th Street and Broadway)
Each rest stop will feature art exhibits, music, and classes such as Double Dutch or Hula Hoop. There will also be a number of environmental programs offered by non-profit and City organizations. They will be discussing and promoting topics such as sustainability and climate change.
“Give New Yorkers a place to gather and they’ll turn it into a dance floor, a science lab, an art studio, and a concert hall, all in one,” Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl said in a statement. You got that right!
Additional Car Free Earth Day events will be happening on April 21 in Washington Heights and Brooklyn. The uptown event will run for 9 blocks spanning St. Nicholas Avenue from 181st Street to 190th Street from 10-4pm. In Downtown Brooklyn the event will run from 1-5pm and take place in Albee Square and Albee Square West.
Each of these events will include performances and educational programming.
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