Pedestrians walk down Austin Street in Forest Hills on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Photo via OpenPlans Instagram
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Forest Hills‘ Austin Street transformed into an open street for the first time ever last Sunday, kickstarting four straight weeks of Sunday Open Streets along a stretch of the busy commercial corridor.
The Sunday Open Streets initiative, launched by “people-first” nonprofit Open Plans in partnership with Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street, took place from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30 between 71st Avenue and 71st Road.
The initiative will take place at the same time every Sunday through Sept. 20, offering outdoor activities, crafts, games and community resources. A number of local businesses will also participate in the weekly open street.
Cecil Brooks Jr., senior campaign manager at Open Plans, said the inaugural Austin Street event proved that demand exists for open streets in the Forest Hills community, stating that open and pedestrian-friendly streets should not be confined to “select enclaves” in Brooklyn or Manhattan.
“The Austin Street open street was an incredible demonstration of Queens community and vibrancy,” Brooks said in a statement. “It was amazing to see so many folks from across the neighborhood and Queens come together to enjoy an open space, bringing more foot traffic to the corridor while patronizing local businesses and supporting one of the area’s most important commercial corridors.”
He added that events such as the Austin Street Open Street can bring more people onto neighborhood streets and support local businesses.
“This event proved that demand for, and the benefits of, open and livable streets shouldn’t just be confined to select enclaves of Manhattan or Brooklyn,” Brooks said. “Neighborhoods citywide are eager for more shared spaces.”
Representatives for Open Plans said the inaugural Austin Street event had “something for everyone,” including a back-to-school supplies giveaway, fire safety education and coloring books from FDNY and a youth event hosted by the Forest Hills Green Team and Central Queens Against.