Our work at NYC Play Streets

Play streets are a long-standing tradition in New York City where streets are closed to traffic for play, usually during summer when school is closed. We began working at play streets in 2013, when their number appeared to be growing, thanks to support from the city’s health department and work by Transportation Alternatives. However in the ensuing years, we witnessed the closing of many play streets in favor of more structured and controlled environments for kids—a pattern noted by others as well. We also heard that it was safer to keep children indoors at home, despite the fact that they inevitably spent more time in front of screens.

With the launch of the city’s new Open Streets program, started in response to the pandemic, play streets have officially found a “home” and support from the city’s Dept. of Transportation. Several new play streets have been launched (some run by the Fresh Air Fund) and others are experiencing a kind of re-birth.

We believe that city children need space for unstructured, spontaneous, voluntary play, so will continue to try to play a role in making that happen.