Prospect Heights' Vanderbilt Ave Open Street To Return In April

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Neighbors in Prospect Heights and beyond will soon get to enjoy New York City's warming weather with some alfresco dining.

The largest volunteer-run Open Street in the borough on Vanderbilt Avenue will return on April 1, organizers with the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council announced.

The Open Street — which closes traffic on warm-weather weekends between Atlantic Avenue and Park Place — will run from April 1 through Nov. 20 for its third year, organizers said.

The organization has set up a GoFundMe to prepare for the 2022 season.

"A key component to its success is support from the community," PHNDC wrote. "If you enjoy Open Streets, please consider contributing to our GoFundMe campaign or volunteering with PHNDC's Vanderbilt Ave [Open Street] committee."

The Open Street on Vanderbilt Avenue returned last year after a popular first season in 2020, when the city allowed certain blocks to close to help New Yorkers dine and spend time outside during the coronavirus crisis.

Vanderbilt Avenue has since became a popular outdoor dining destination, while another Open Street run by PHNDC on Underhill Avenue was closed to cars to allow pedestrians and cyclists more room to social distance.

The streets are among a small percentage of Open Streets across the city that have stayed operational as organizers struggle with resources. A study found that only 46 percent of Open Streets citywide were actually active despite being listed on the Department of Transportation's list of the open spaces.

In Crown and Prospect Heights, Vanderbilt and Underhill were the only two of the neighborhoods' six Open Streets that were up and running, according to the study.

This year, organizers will give out a basket of picnic supplies and gift certificates to Vanderbilt Avenue businesses as a thank you to those who donate $150 or more to the Open Street.

Neighbors can also help out by signing up to volunteer.

Check out the fundraiser and a video about the Open Street here.