Skip to Content
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Log In

Back in 2008, residents in Jackson Heights, Queens, banded together to win car-free Sundays on 78th Street, creating a new, temporary public space for children and families in one of NYC's most park-starved neighborhoods. This year neighborhood activists aimed much higher: They wanted to make the street car-free 24-7 for the entire months of July and August.

As you'll see, thanks to lots of motivation and strong leadership from their City Council Member Daniel Dromm, they overcame initial hesitation from the local community board's transportation committee -- which voted the idea down -- to make it happen.

The fight was worth it, Dromm told us. "It was recognized just about two weeks ago in The Queens Tribune as being one of the best things about Queens - this play street," he said. "So imagine if we hadn't done it?" Indeed.

All summer long, 78th Street was filled with a warm, family atmosphere, sometimes well after sundown. As for next year, there's talk of possibly giving this car-free street even greater permanence. Stay tuned.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog San Francisco

Commentary: Oakland Councilmember Bas Fails to Fix Estuary Channel Path

It's a matter of time before a cyclist or pedestrian is killed crossing Lake Merritt Boulevard or I-880's ramps and frontage roads because the channel path is blocked

July 26, 2024
See all posts