Media Monday at McCarren

On Monday, Mayor Bloomberg held a well attended (proving that the press will turn out for anything with either free food or great weather) press conference at McCarren Park to announce the return and expansion of the Summer Streets program, which will bring temporary car-free streets, healthy activities and free weekend summer recreation to a total of 14 locations throughout the Five Boroughs, through September. Bloomberg was joined at the announcement by Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Councilmember Diana Reyna, Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin, , Def Jam record label co-founder Russell Simmons, and award winning actor Luis Guzmán (The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3).

Also in attendance were YMCA Executive Director, Mel Tse, whose kids put on an outstanding dance performance leading up to the press conference, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner, Julius Spiegel, CB1 Member and City Council candidate Evan Thies, Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn Executive Director Stephanie Thayer, Jane Pool, and NAG’s Peter Gillespie.

Williamsburg Walks, one of our local Summer Streets programs, is sponsored by Neighbors Allied for Good Growth and L Magazine and takes place on Bedford Avenue between North 4th and North 9th Streets. There are two remaining Williamsburg Walks Saturdays – July 4th and 11th, from 12-9PM. Sunday Scene on Knickerbocker between Suydam and Starr Streets will take place on Sundays July 19th, 26th and August 2nd from 11AM- 5PM and is sponsored by Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council.

The Mayor also announced more than 1,500 free summer events throughout New York City (a list is available on www.nyc.gov), among them free summer movies screened at the ball fields in McCarren park.

“Today, we want to let New Yorkers from across the City know about some of the great things you can do in the City this summer without spending a dime,” said Bloomberg. “The Summer Streets initiative was such a success – for both businesses and the public with 50,000 visitors – that today I’m proud to announce that we are bringing it back. And we’ve put together a comprehensive list of more than 1,500 free summer events and activities throughout the City, so families can still enjoy what New York City has to offer during these difficult economic times.”

“This is only its second year, but Summer Streets is already a New York tradition,” said Sadik-Khan. “Last year, some 50,000 people enjoyed all the free fun that the original Summer Streets route had to offer and this year we’re bringing that open invitation for everyone across all five boroughs to enjoy the streets in their own neighborhoods in a brand-new way.”

“New York City’s public parks have long been synonymous with free summertime fun and, thanks to our many partnerships, this year is no different,” said Benepe. “Whether you are attending a performance or sports clinic organized by the City Parks Foundation, enjoying world-class concerts from the New York Philharmonic or Metropolitan Opera, attending a film screening under the stars, kayaking the NYC Water Trail, or playing in the citywide volleyball tournament at Coney Island, the abundance of events and activities in our parks make New York City a great stay-cation destination.”

Lentol opened his remarks by thanking the Mayor “for kicking off this program in the Greenest place in America, Greenpoint” and reminded Bloomberg “we could use a little bit more green.” He continued “Summer Streets are a great opportunity for New Yorkers to get out, be active and see the City from a different perspective. [Summer Streets] allows us to stop and enjoy the things that are New York, the culture, the games, the concerts, open space and parks that New York has to offer.”

The largest Summer Streets location will be a reprise of last year’s Manhattan event where 50,000 people enjoyed the traffic-free environment. On Saturday, August 8th, 15th and 22nd from 7AM to 1PM, the car-free route will run for 6.9 miles from the Brooklyn Bridge up to 72nd Street, while key cross-town streets will remain open to vehicles crossing the route.