Play Streets


Play streets are exactly what they sound like -- streets where youth can play and socialize. They occur on local streets officially closed to traffic, and are open to people at regularly scheduled times, such as from 10 am to 2 pm on Thursdays in July and August. They turn the urban front yard -- the street -- into a safe, engaging space to be active.

With the support of community groups across the city, Transportation Alternatives successfully persuaded the Bloomberg administration in 2011 to include Play Streets in PlaNYC as a key strategy to improve open space access for children during the summer. This is an important step toward reclaiming New York City streets as public spaces where kids and adults can safely walk, bike and play year-round.

T.A. helps communities secure street closure permits, find community partners and obtain mini-grants so that Play Streets can thrive across New York City. T.A. has also developed several guides for groups to learn how to start up a Play Street.


Apply for a summer Play Street in your community!
Contact T.A. if you are interested in applying for a Play Street permit. We can help you with the community approval process and connect you with valuable local resources.

Play Streets Expression of Interest Application to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Due February 21, 2012, or before funder deadline


Funders who support Play Streets
Citizen's Committee for New York City, New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods grants
Due January 31, 2012

Partnerships for Parks, Capacity Fund grants
(Play Street must be adjacent to NYC Parks property)
Due February 1, 2012


Play Streets Resources
Guides and Case Studies Videos
categories [ ]