NYC Car Free Day Programs Announced For 2019 Earth Day

NEW YORK, NY — Large areas of New York City will once again be liberated from cars to celebrate Earth Day during the city's fourth annual Car Free Day, the city Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

Two miles of Broadway and one mile of St. Nicholas Avenue will be reserved for pedestrian and bicycle use only on Saturday, April 27, city officials said. The street closures will be the same this year as they were for last year's Car Free Day — meaning 30 blocks of Broadway will be closed from Union Square to Times Square and nine blocks of St. Nicholas Avenue will be closed from West 181st to 190th streets.

"For the fourth straight year, we are thrilled to work with Council Member Rodriguez to transform the bustling streets of Broadway and St Nicholas Avenue into havens for New Yorkers," DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said in a statement. "Whether they are out cycling or walking, New Yorkers can use Car Free Earth Day as a time to reclaim their streets, enjoy the outdoors, and indulge in the vibrant culture of these communities."

The stretch of Broadway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the stretch of St. Nicholas Avenue will be closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., city officials said. Car Free Day was launched in 2016 by City Coucil Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents Upper Manhattan.

The two main street closures for Car Free Day are on Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue, but other programs and smalled street closures are planned throughout all five New York City boroughs, Rodriguez said.

"During this important event we will be celebrating Mother Earth, and opening up the streets for New Yorkers to enjoy. This year, we will be expanding the event to all the boroughs, educating New Yorkers on the importance of sustainability and environmental justice," Rodriguez said.

Car Free Day offers a growing set of program each year, and 2019 is no exception. Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue will be taken over by public art exhibitions, workout classes, educational activities, family-freindly games and performances all throughout the day Saturday.

Here's a sample of some of this year's programs:

• The American Institute of Architects, American Society of Landscape Architects of New York, and the American Planning Association will organize a pop-up exhibit in Union Square that helps New Yorkers evision the future of Broadway as a space that prioritizes pedestrian use;
• Free fitness classes including cardio, dance and boot camp workouts at Herald Square;
• Public art installations created using recycled plastic water bottles in the Garment District;
• Walking tours at Times Square that will trace Midtown Manhattan's development from a center for the horse and carriage trade to today's busiest business district in Manhattan;
• A main stage hosting a variety of performances on St. Nicholas Avenue between West 182nd and 183rd streets;
• Biking programs on St. Nicholas Avenue and West 184th Street. Try out Citi Bike and learn how to plan out your route to work with the group Uptown & Boogie Bicycle Advocacy.