As NYC's school year wraps up, we're celebrating the 30+ schools and youth organizations we've helped secure open streets and similar programs citywide. From PS 129's tireless PE teacher Nicole who runs College Point's daily open street like a neighborhood mayor, to PS 134Q celebrating a full year of street-based gym and recess, these school communities are proving that car-free spaces outside schools create opportunities for learning, play, and community building.

New Yorkers famously never agree on anything, but when we asked what they think needs improving about DOT's Summer Streets program, the majority just said they wanted MORE. 91% of respondents want Summer Streets to happen more often, 77% would like extended hours, and 75% favor expanding routes to cover more streets. Summer Streets is so popular it's got the majority of New Yorkers in agreement on something worth celebrating and expanding.

Looking around your neighborhood, you probably assume the drivers on your street are locals, but we've crunched the numbers and found that most are actually just cutting through to somewhere else. In Washington Heights, 88% of drivers aren't starting or ending their trip in the area. Low Traffic Neighborhoods could reroute this traffic back onto bigger roads while preserving resident access, reducing overall traffic by 50%.

Join us Thursday, May 1 at Brooklyn Winery for the third annual Public Space Awards, celebrating New York's public realm and the people who make it thrive. We'll honor five leaders and groups behind the spaces that enrich our city, bringing together veteran New Yorkers and newcomers alike. Discounted tickets are available for young urbanists, with regular tickets available for all other attendees interested in partying with fellow New York enthusiasts.