Prospect Park Car Ban Puts Brakes On Exhaust Fumes

PROSPECT PARK, NY –Exhaust fumes and traffic noise won't ruin you summer at Prospect Park after a ban on all motor vehicle goes into place next week.

East Drive from Grand Army Plaza to Park Circle will be closed to cars and trucks from July 17 until Sept. 11, according to an announcement from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office. East Drive is currently open to vehicles from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. on weekdays, except for holidays, the office added.

“As we already saw when we made the Prospect Park West Drive car-free two years ago, a safer and quieter park improves the safety and enjoyment for thousands of park users – and has a negligible effect on traffic outside the park,” de Blasio said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to bring even more of Prospect Park to even more of Brooklyn for the next couple months.”

City records show just one motor vehicle accident on East Drive last year, in which a cyclist was injured. Before that, the most recent accidents were in 2013 when there were two collisions that didn’t result in any injuries.

The city's Department of Transportation said East Drive doesn’t get much traffic during the summer – at most 300 cars per morning pass through, compared to 400 during the autumn months. About 1,000 cyclists, joggers and pedestrians use East Drive, according to DOT data.

The city’s parks commissioner said closing East Drive will be a boon to Prospect Park’s visitors.

“Completely removing car traffic from Prospect Park turns one of our most historic sites back over to the kids, joggers, ball players, picnickers, and amblers who love it. This summer, all visitors to Prospect Park will enjoy cleaner air, improved safety – and peace and quiet.” Mitchell Silver stated.

The route’s temporary closure comes after de Blasio moved to make West Drive permanently car free in 2015, according to his office.

The latest change received the blessing of the Prospect Park Alliance, a non-profit that helps take care of the beloved 526-acre site.

“A key part of our mission is engaging the community and enhancing the park experience, and we look forward to seeing how this works for all park users,” said the alliance’s president, Sue Donoghue.

Lead image by Teri Tynes/Flickr