Group Calling For Car-Free Summer In Central Park
NY1
By Rebecca Spitz

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An advocacy group called Transportation Alternatives says the city should put the brakes on cars in Central Park.

"It's a recipe for disaster,” says Ken Coughlin of the group. “You have all kinds of recreational users crammed into an 8-foot-wide space, with cars hurtling by. You have an expressway next to a recreation lane."

Coughlin's group is calling for cars to be permanently banned from the park, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – except for the four cross-town traverses, which are never open to recreational use. But the group is trying to reach that goal with a smaller step, trying to shore up support for a car-free summer.

"I think it's very dangerous when I rollerblade,” says Marisa Miller, a frequent visitor to the park. “Just feeling the constant swoosh of cars makes me very nervous."

The loop around the park is only open to vehicles during weekday rush hours, and remains off-limits to traffic all day on weekends and holidays. Still, many New Yorkers worry about their safety and their health.

"I come in here every morning,” says city resident Janet Mandel. “If I'm not in here by seven, it's too late to get that fresh air and get a good breath."

Although some agree it would be great to get rid of traffic here in the park, other residents say it’s just part of life in New York City.

"Quite frankly, I've learned to live with it Monday through Friday,” says Joan Jarden. “When I think of the alternative, without the cars going through the park, my concern is that Sixth avenue, Broadway and Fifth Avenue will be so jam-packed you won't be able to get anywhere."

Drivers who spoke with NY1 agreed.

“It is very important” to keep the park roads open, said cab driver Javier Huerta. “It saves me a lot of time.”

"I think it's fine,” said another cab driver, Frank Gennaro, “because the joggers can run and the bikers can utilize it, and [taxi] customers have a better chance of getting to the West Side, East Side and going south and north. So I think it’s fantastic. I wish it was open all the time.”

Nothing will change without approval from the Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President C. Virginia Fields and the Transportation and Parks departments, who all say the current system is the perfect balance for everyone's needs.

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