Rendering of the first-ever Open Street gate.<\/p>\n
NEW YORK \u2013 Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today welcomed New York City students back to school with new measures designed to make the streets around schools safer for children, families and all New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
From hundreds of new 15 MPH School Slow Zones and school street redesigns to the return of Open Streets and the city\u2019s first gated school Open Street, the administration is expanding proven tools to slow traffic, create more space for pedestrians and make getting to and from school safer.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery student deserves to feel safe when they make their way to school, and every parent deserves the same peace of mind,\u201d said Mayor Mamdani. \u201cFrom Sammy\u2019s Law and Open Streets to installing street redesigns near 300 City schools, our administration will continue to take action to ensure our streets are safe, especially those surrounding our children\u2019s schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a parent of two NYC public school students, I understand the importance of Open Streets as an opportunity to provide safe, open-air environments for children to learn and play \u2014 while also providing parents and guardians calmer and more social pick-ups and drop-offs,\u201d said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. \u201cWe are using innovative tools to help keep children safe at school, from new street designs to an expansion of our School Slow Zones through our Sammy\u2019s Law commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Largest-Ever Expansion of Sammy\u2019s Law<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani announced the City would reduce speed limits to 15 MPH at every eligible school location during his first term<\/a> using the authority granted to New York City under Sammy\u2019s Law.<\/p>\n NYC DOT has already installed more than 200 15 MPH School Slow Zones this year, with roughly 800 expected to be in place by the end of 2026 as part of the first year of the administration\u2019s commitment.<\/p>\n First-Ever Clarkson Street Open Street Gate<\/p>\n This month, NYC DOT will install the City\u2019s first-ever Open Streets gate outside a school on Clarkson Street in Tribeca as part of an ongoing redesign of Clarkson Street between Hudson Street and Varick Street.<\/p>\n The gate draws inspiration from Paris\u2019 Rues aux \u00c9coles, which use simple street gates to create safer, more welcoming spaces for students and expand opportunities for play and outdoor learning.<\/p>\n The Clarkson Street redesign is one of the street redesigns taking place near more than 300 schools across the city this year. The project will add public seating, expand pedestrian space, create safer crossings, improve visibility and slow down drivers.<\/p>\n The project is being completed in collaboration with City-As-School High School, M.S. 721 and Open Plans.<\/p>\n Open Streets for Schools Return<\/p>\n Clarkson Street is one of 77 Open Streets<\/a> at schools launching across the city for the 2026-2027 school year.<\/p>\n New York City has a roughly century-long tradition of closing streets for children to play and learn. Open Streets for Schools builds on that tradition by allowing participating schools to temporarily close streets to vehicles for drop-off and pick-up, recess and outdoor learning.<\/p>\n Street Redesigns at Schools Across the Five Boroughs<\/p>\n NYC DOT is implementing street safety upgrades on streets adjacent to more than 300 schools in 2026, including projects that will permanently improve Open Streets near schools on Beaumont Avenue in the Bronx and Avenue B<\/a> in Manhattan.<\/p>\n