Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Car-Free Parks

Who Can Make Parks Car-Free? Commissioner Hoving Says: “Benepe”

By Ben Fried | Dec 14, 2009 | 13 Comments

This photo from the Parks Department vault depicts what appears to be a pavement painting during Thomas Hoving’s tenure as commissioner. If New York City had a livable streets hall of fame, Thomas P. F. Hoving would be enshrined alongside heroes like Jane Jacobs. As Parks Commissioner under Mayor John Lindsay, Hoving spearheaded the original […]

The NYPD’s Holiday Gift to Motorists: Central Park

By Ken Coughlin | Dec 11, 2009 | 31 Comments

After introducing some yuletide sanity two winters ago, the city is back to sending a schizophrenic message to New Yorkers this holiday season: Please use mass transit, but if you choose to drive, we’ve made it easier by increasing the hours when cars are permitted on a section of Central Park’s loop road. Only this […]

End Central Park Road Rage: Keep Cars Out

By Ken Coughlin | Jun 11, 2009 | 17 Comments

The Central Park loop drive was never meant for traffic. Photo: Frodrig/Flickr The city’s ongoing effort to have it both ways in Central Park resulted in another near-tragedy last week. Brian Dooda was riding his bike in the park when he got into an altercation with the driver of an SUV. It seems Dooda was […]

Eyes on the Street: Drivers Flout New Prospect Park Law

By Ben Fried | Apr 28, 2009 | 32 Comments

For pedestrians, yesterday was a grand opening of sorts at the 3rd Street entrance to Prospect Park. The city officially closed off this access point to cars, giving people on foot a safe, unimpeded crossing and some additional car-free space during the p.m. rush. Before long, however, the barricades somehow shifted several feet to the […]

Brooklyn CBs Open to Prospect Park Road Diet

By Ben Fried | Dec 5, 2008 | 15 Comments

This summer volunteers clocked 90 percent of cars in Prospect Park exceeding the speed limit. Photo: Prospect Park Youth Advocates. On Tuesday, Transportation Alternatives made the case for a car-free Prospect Park to the transpo committee of Brooklyn Community Board 7. Reactions ran the gamut from wholehearted support to outright opposition, reports T.A.’s Lindsey Lusher-Shute. […]

Jim Brennan: “Objective Assessment” Must Precede Prospect Park Trial

By Brad Aaron | Oct 9, 2008 | 5 Comments

Following up on other car-free parks news, last week Assembly Member Jim Brennan joined the chairs of Brooklyn Community Boards 7 and 14 in calling for an Environmental Impact Statement before any trial program to remove car traffic from Prospect Park. In this tipster-submitted constituent letter, Brennan rationalizes his position. Nothing says "fact-based public process" […]

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