NEW YORK — New Yorkers are getting some of the city’s “Open Streets” plan a little early.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday that the first 7 miles of streets to be used by pedestrians and cyclists will open Saturday, two days earlier than initially planned.
“PLEASE practice social distancing and stay safe,” the mayor said.
The following streets will be open on Monday, according to de Blasio earlier Friday:
- 4.5 miles inside parks to ease crowding
- Fort Tryon Park
- Flushing Meadows
- Forest Hill Park
- Callahan-Kelly Park
- Grant Park
- Silver Lake Park
- 2.7 miles of streets adjacent to parks
- Williamsbridge Oval
- Court Square
- Carl Schurz Park
- Highbridge Park
- Prospect Park
- Stapleton Waterfront Park
- Lt. William Tighe Triangle
Officials said the roads were picked to make sure it won’t intervene with medical operations set up at the parks. There will also be several barricades and officers at areas, with the goal of minimizing vehicles in the area, according to de Blasio.
About 40 miles of city streets will be open to the public within the month of May. The city’s goal is to have about 100 miles of streets open to pedestrians during the duration of the pandemic.
Though the mayor said he hopes May will bring more progress, he reminded New Yorkers the virus is “still alive and well” in New York City and New Yorkers should not declare victory too quickly.
Overnight, New York City reported 202 more fatalities and over 2,000 new confirmed cases, de Blasio said Friday.
This comes as New Jersey opens several state and county parks and golf courses beginning Saturday.
