As New York City prepares for another week of temperatures in the mid-90s, New Yorkers have something else they can look forward to: the beginning of Summer Streets on Saturday.
The event, which shuts down seven miles of Manhattan streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan to East Harlem for three Saturdays in August, will be returning this year with a full schedule of activities and performances at six rest stops, according to the city.
Canceled for pandemic-related reasons in 2020, Summer Streets returned last year.
Saturday Aug. 6 will be the first day of Summer Streets activities and the city will be offering unlimited 30-minute ride passes on Citi Bikes for the day. And free bike rentals will be offered by Unlimited Biking at each of the six rest stops along the event route.
Approximately 300,000 people enjoy the event each year, a city announcement said, and “everyone is invited to play, run, walk, and bike along Park Avenue and its connecting streets.”
The events will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.
Here are just some of the activities this year:
Foley Square Rest Stop:
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Foley Square will host a Dance Party NYC event, with a D.J. playing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the city’s civic center as part of the city’s Festival of New York.
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A 5-by-15-foot New York City logo will make a great spot to get a selfie. The installation, called “Play, Run, Walk, Bike,” is intended to “celebrate the spirit of Summer Streets and the people who enjoy the event,” the website said.
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The Wheelchair Sports Federation will be hosting training sessions, live games and exhibitions of adaptive basketball teams.
Astor Place Rest Stop:
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Snack and beverage samples will be available between Lafayette Street and Broadway.
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The Movement Creative will have a pop-up parkour playground on Lafayette and 8th Street.
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Free fitness classes will take place at Cooper Square between Wanamaker Place and 8th Street, with classes starting at 8 a.m.
Rose Hill Rest Stop:
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The Five Boro Bike Club will be offering free bike repairs at Park Avenue, between 25th Street and 26th Street. The group is also coordinating a group bike ride on Aug. 20 from Harlem to Summer Streets.
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The Department of Transportation’s Truck’s Eye View will allow children and adults to experience climbing into a parked truck, at Park Avenue, between 26th Street and 27th Street.
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On East 27th street, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, children can take free group classes to learn how to ride a bike. Children must bring their own bikes and helmets, the event details said.
Midtown Rest Stop:
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Some of the city’s arts and cultural institutions will be holding interactive workshops geared toward children ages 2 and up at Rudin Plaza on Park Avenue, between 51st Street and 52nd Street.
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Musical, dance and theatrical performances will be held at the Midtown Performance Stage at Rudin Plaza on Park Avenue, between 51st Street and 52nd Street.
Upper East Rest Stop:
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Staff of Fit Club NY will be providing physical therapy and recovery services at East 81st Street, at Park Avenue/West.
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Meditation, stretching, as well as other free fitness classes will be offered at East 81st Street, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, starting at 8 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats.
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Black Girls Do Bike will hold riding trips along the Summer Streets route that will stop at a Black historical spaces. Meeting at East 81st Street at Park Avenue/East, the group will also offer bike repairs.
Uptown Rest Stop:
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Musical, theatrical and dance performances will be held at East 109th Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue.
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Inline Skating will be at East 109th Street, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, where participants can rent skates and protective gear for free from Go! Sports.
