Car-Free Parks

Car-Free Prospect Park Rally Today; Markowitz Not Expected to Attend

If you'll be in Lower Manhattan this afternoon, don't forget today's action by Prospect Park Youth Advocates, who will be delivering postcards to City Hall signed by thousands of New Yorkers who'd like to see the Brooklyn park go car-free. Though Mayor Bloomberg seems to be keeping an open mind on the issue, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is not impressed. Reports the Daily News:

By Brad Aaron

12:30 PM EDT on September 15, 2008

If you’ll be in Lower Manhattan this afternoon, don’t forget today’s action by Prospect Park Youth Advocates, who will be delivering postcards to City Hall signed by thousands of New Yorkers who’d like to see the Brooklyn park go car-free. Though Mayor Bloomberg seems to be keeping an open mind on the issue, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is not impressed. Reports the Daily News:

Markowitz said the current rules reflect the proper balance between making the park accessible and keeping traffic flowing.
He said closing the park to cars during rush hour would create an “unbearable” traffic burden in neighborhoods south of the park. “That is not fair,” he said.
“Not everybody can get to work on a bicycle,” he said. “My opinions reflect the viewpoint of the great majority of residents of Brooklyn.”

Today’s rally starts at 5:00. Allow a few minutes to clear security.

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.