Summer Streets 2010: Dumpster Diving for the Masses

See the full-size route map.

Here we are, halfway through July, which means Summer Streets are coming around again. NYCDOT announced today that the city's flagship car-free event will be happening on three Saturdays in August -- the 7th, 14th, and 21st.

The route and the times haven't changed -- you'll need to get an early start to take full advantage of the 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. schedule -- but there will be a few more places to stop and switch things up along the way. As the Times reported, three "dumpster pools" will be set up on Park Avenue between 40th and 41st Streets, with elevated pool decks attached. The dumpsters have never stored refuse, which might take some of the freegan romance out of swimming in them, but I'm guessing you'll still have to show up at these things pretty early to beat the massive lines.

Just to take stock for a moment: If you'll recall, back in 2008, the first Summer Streets attracted a barrage of coverage. Then last year, ho-hum, it already seemed like the new normal. This year, after watching the permanent transformation of Times Square unfold and seeing bold plans emerge to remake 34th Street, Summer Streets feels kinda traditional. Would summer in New York be the same without it?

So it goes with the evolution of our streets.