THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 
NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER
YDANIS RODRIGUEZ 
  
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-7053

Thursday, April 12, 2018

**Press Release **

Contact: Stephanie Miliano 954-534-2144 smiliano@council.nyc.gov

COUNCIL MEMBER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ & CAR FREE NYC PARTNERS UNVEIL PROGRAMMING FOR UPTOWN

New York, NY  -- On Thursday, April 12th, at 11:30AM Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and executive directors from participating organizations at a press conference to announce programming along Saint Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights on Saturday, April 21st, for Car Free Day. The Car Free Day uptown programming is organized by the Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and the Washington Heights Business Improvement District.
 
A stretch of 9 blocks, from 181st street to 190th street will be open to pedestrians and cyclists from 10am to 4pm. They will featuring educational and entertainment programming. There will be three performance areas featuring cultural performances from local and citywide organizations, plus bike classes and giveaways, and more!

This is the third annual Car Free Day, which has expanded over the past year to areas across the city, with open streets allowing pedestrians, cyclists and more to use the open space in creative ways. In Washington Heights, community organizations, small businesses and elected officials will be out in full force to celebrate sustainability and active transportation with great programming for all.

"I invite all New Yorkers to be part of this initiative to celebrate Earth Day by not driving personal vehicles that day, and think of ways we can do our part to save the planet. We have witnessed the real impacts of climate change through natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Maria, Super Storm Sandy, snow storms, and earthquakes, among others. Let's take action now to preserve our planet for present and future generations," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, chair of the Council Committee on Transportation. "I look forward to seeing St. Nicholas Avenue transform into a space where we can bring arts and culture to the community. I thank Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and her team for their partnership, Speaker Corey Johnson, my colleagues in Council, and the dedicated partners providing amazing programming."

"We New Yorkers were made for walking. As New Yorkers, we rely on our own two feet and public transit to get around, and Car Free Day is a great way to celebrate our streets safely. I encourage all District 10 residents and constituents across the City to take part in Car Free Day, and I thank Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez for spearheading this event each year," said Speaker Corey Johnson.

"Car-free New York will provide an opportunity for uptown residents to enjoy their city on foot and at a human scale, all while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions," said NYS Senator Marisol Alcantara. "In a time of escalating climate change and federal inaction, New York's government and society must make strong commitments to reducing greenhouse gases for the continued health and safety of our coastal population."

"Car Free earth Day continues to create awareness and to promote sustainability of our environment. This is another step forward to encourage our people to consider other transportation alternatives that are safe for our planet earth. I commend Councilmember Rodriguez for extending this initiative to Northern Manhattan. The resources, valuable information, entertainment, and educational components this street closure offers are noteworthy to be continued every year," said Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa.

St. Nicholas Avenue will be open for the public to enjoy activities coordinated by the council member's office and the Washington Heights Business Improvement District.
  • FDNY will bring a fire truck to 181st Street that participants can takes turns going inside.
  • The main performance stage in front of Lucky 7, between 182nd and 183rd Street, will feature local and international acts. Kicking off the day with Dance project Washington Heights, followed by Jazz Power and other culturally rich acts. From 2pm on, the stage will be filled with acts such as Roy Tavares, J Aguabuena, and closing out the day will be Dominican merengue singer, Rubby Perez.
  • At 182nd Street, you can bring an outgrown children's bike and swap it for the correct size, while also receiving a brand new helmet, courtesy of DOT and Bike NY, who will also be offering free learn to ride bike lessons.
  • Take part in physical activity, training with New York Road Runners, The Armory, Street Soccer USA, Row New York and other groups offering different sports throughout the day. Take a tour of Highbridge Park with New York Restoration Project. Dance the day away with La Mega and their zumba classes at 190th st.
  • Join Children's Museum of Arts New York, Morris Jumel Mansion, Sugar Hill Children's Museum and other cultural institutions. Reimagine NYC streets, and relax in the pedestrian Plaza, while enjoying some of our dance or Brazilian Drumming workshops.
  • Take a tour of the BioBus and let your inner scientist come out. Enjoy robotics shows by local schools, or follow the march of Brazilian Drum Band Fogo Azul as they parade through the day. Local elected officials and city agencies will also join to provide details on accessing opportunities.
  • Enjoy a show by Carnegie Hall or a puppet show with Repertorio Español and Society of Educational Arts on the United Healthcare stage between 186th and 187th Streets.
  • Uptown, will offer the culture and magic you have come to expect from Washington Heights. And for just one day, we will reimagine the community, as a car free community.
"Car Free NYC is an opportunity not only to show our commitment to sustainable transportation, but it's also a chance to stand up and declare that New York City streets are streets for people," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "We're grateful to Council Member Rodriguez and the Department of Transportation for joining the movement to reclaim our streets for walking, biking and transit, and we look forward to helping turn demonstrations like these into permanent solutions."

"As New York City's leading proponent of cycling as a practical, sustainable, and healthy means of transportation and recreation, we at Bike New York are thrilled that the City of New York is making Car Free Day NYC an annual event," said Ken Podziba, President and CEO of Bike New York. "New York has the highest percentage of car-free households in the country, and as more people utilize bikes as a means of transportation, these great initiatives draw attention to the progress the city is making to reduce car use in New York. We commend the efforts of all involved, including DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYC Transportation Chair Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, who are making our city healthier, safer, cleaner, less congested, and more environmentally friendly."
 
"Carnegie Hall is excited to partner again with Council Member Rodriguez for Uptown Car Free Day. We applaud the Council Member's leadership over the years to expand this important initiative. Our participation in Uptown Car Free Day will feature information on several of the Hall's many free programs available to all New Yorkers, a ticket raffle, and a special performance by fellows from Carnegie Hall's Ensemble Connect program. We are delighted for the opportunity to share these resources with the Northern Manhattan community, as well as to do our part to further a sustainable city and promote eco-friendly alternatives wherever possible," said   Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, Carnegie Hall.

"People's Theatre Project is thrilled to be participating for the 3rd time in this wonderful event. We are excited to bring to Car Free Day the uptown premiere of 'Somos New York', a multi-discplinary bilingual theatre piece created and performed by local youth about the immigrant experience, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. This is a piece that deeply connects to the experience of many of our uptown neighbors, and we can't wait to share it with our community at the Car Free Day street festival," said Mino Lora-Executive Director for People's Theatre Project.

"EmblemHealth and AdvantageCare Physicians are proud to be part of this important leadership event, where we can celebrate a healthier, more active culture in communities across our city," said  Karen Ignagni, President and CEO, EmblemHealth.

"BioBus is thrilled to join Council Member Rodriguez at Car-Free Day. Science students of all ages are invited to visit our solar-powered mobile lab and use our high tech microscopes," said  Ben Dubin-Thaler, Founder and Executive Director, BioBus.

"Come join Morris Jumel Mansion and Friends of Inwood Hill Park in planting herbs and vegetables for use later in the seasons! Recycle your  empty plastic water bottles to use as your planter  if you would like to save a 'pod'," said Alexis Marnel and  Christopher Davalos, Interim Co-Directors, Morris Jumel Mansion.

"Mentor New York is delighted to join Council Member Rodriguez and all the participants at Car Free Day Uptown this year!  We look forward to engaging the community by providing 'speed mentoring' sessions geared toward environmental topics, as well as information on connecting interested local mentors with local kids.  Transforming our children's experience of this Earth, and their treatment of it, with strong role models is a great way to leave them the best planet that we can.  We hope that everyone in the community will come out and support this compassionate, forward-looking initiative," said Amber Qureshi, Mentor New York.
 
Weekend Walks: DOT's 11th annual season of Weekend Walks continues on Car Free Earth Day in Elmhurst, Queens. Weekend Walks are car free events where community based organizations apply to close multiple blocks of a commercial street and provide active programing that promotes walking, cycling and local businesses. Weekend Walks are planned for more than 60 different locations throughout the five boroughs from April to December, starting with the Songkran Weekend Walks on April 21, and again on April 28, 2018 located at Woodside Avenue from 75th to 77th Street in Elmhurst, Queens.
 
Outer-Borough Car-Free Events: Downtown Brooklyn Partnership launces their 2018 Downtown Brooklyn Presents event series at Albee Square and Albee Square West. Starting at 1pm. During this car-free event, the environmentally-friendly troupe from Bash the Trash will perform music, help kids construct instruments from recycled products, and then lead a parade. This is followed by an all-ages dance class led by the Dodge Y with beats by DJ Mike.