Two Harlem Open Streets To Host Family-Frinedly Activities

HARLEM, NY — Two nonprofit organizations are partnering with the city to turn Harlem open streets into "Play Streets" with organized, family-friendly activities, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday.

West 150th Street between St. Nicholas Place and Edgecomb Avenue and West 129th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass boulevards will host daily activities geared toward children through the rest of the summer, city officials said. The Fresh Air Fund will host activities on West 150th Street and the Police Athletic Leage will organize for West 129th Street.

Both streets are already closed off to cars as part of the city's open streets initiative to provide more outdoor recreation space in neighborhoods, allowing residents to spend time outside at safe social distances from their neighbors.

Activities that will be organized at the "Play Streets" include: Arts and crafts projects, giant board games, sports drills and no-touch obstacle courses and, city officials said. The activities are designed with social distancing guidelines in mind to protect against the spread of coronavirus, according to city officials.

"Young people deserve the chance to play freely in their neighborhoods while staying safe from COVID-19, and Play Streets will go a long way toward easing the burden of a summer unlike any other," de Blasio said in a statement. "Rebuilding a fairer and better city means using our urban landscape creatively, and I’m proud to build on the success of our Open Streets program by finding exciting and productive uses for city streets."

The West 150th "Play Street" will launch on Aug. 5 and activities will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The West 129th "Play Street" will launch July 27 and activities will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Both will run through Sept. 4.