Park Slope Adds More Blocks For 'Next Level Open Streets' Program

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Get ready for the next level of Park Slope's Open Streets.

The neighborhood's Open Street on Fifth Avenue will officially transform into an "Open Boulevard" under a new city program this weekend, complete with more car-free blocks and extended hours, the Business Improvement District announced.

The street is one of 10 corridors across the city participating in the Open Boulevards program, first announced earlier this month as a "supercharged" version of Open Streets and Open Restaurants, which closes certain blocks to traffic to allow New Yorkers to walk, ride, dine and shop in the roadway.

On Fifth Avenue, the Open Boulevard will mean closing down another two blocks between Third and Fourth streets and adding a side street to act as a plaza for city-led performances.

Hours will also be extended to Sundays for all stretches of the Open Street starting in July, according to the BID.

“We are really pleased with the growth and popularity of our Open Streets Program and we thank the Mayor for designating our Avenue as an Open Boulevard," Executive Director Mark Caserta said. "We are looking forward to working with the City to bring culture and events to #theother5th this summer."

The plaza will run on Fourth Street between Fifth and Fourth avenues, the BID said. It will have tables and chairs for outdoor eating and lounging on top of the arts and culture performances, provided by the city.

The blocks on Fifth Avenue currently part of Open Streets include Dean Street to Park Place, Sterling Place to Berkeley Place, President Street to Third Street, 10th to 13th street and 15th to 16th street.

Park Slope's Fifth Avenue is among three Brooklyn corridors on the Open Boulevards list. Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park and Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights are also slated to use the program, though specific plans for those corridors haven't been announced yet.