NYC Launches Open Streets Initiative For Shabbos in Staten Island

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced today the launch of two new Open Streets on Staten Island to support Shabbos in partnership with the borough’s Jewish community.

The block-long Open Streets on Suffolk Avenue and Vermont Court, in Castleton Corners, will support walking, cycling, and play among children during Shabbos, with operations in effect Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The announcement comes as NYC DOT gears to launch a third new Open Street on Front Street, running from St. George to Stapleton on the Island’s North Shore, during select Saturdays this summer.

“New York City DOT is continuing to expand our Open Streets program across the five boroughs to ensure all New Yorkers have access to welcoming public spaces,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “Our Shabbos Open Streets are a great example of the broad variety of partners NYC DOT engages with to manage and program our Open Streets. We welcome community groups and institutions to consider applying to take part in the program and help New Yorkers reimagine their streets.”

Open Streets is a community-led program, meaning community groups apply to launch and operate locations. Eligible organizations include cultural, faith-, and health-based institutions, schools, business improvement districts, and other local community groups. DOT is partnering with the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO) to operate two new “Shabbos Open Streets” in Castleton Corners on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting Friday, June 2, and running through September.

One location will run along Suffolk Avenue, from Queen Street to Harold Street. A second, abutting Open Street will run on Vermont Court, between Gansevoort Boulevard and Suffolk Avenue. These Open Streets are scheduled to be in operation Fridays, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.