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:

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.

  • These kids are amazing. Bummed that I’m unable to be there this afternoon, ’cause I’d be proud and humbled to stand with them.

  • mike

    Marty, as most Brooklyn residents do not own cars, you might want to reconsider your statement that your :opinions reflect the viewpoint of the great majority of residents of Brooklyn.”

    It’s funny how each time a proposal for more car-free hours in the Parks comes up, pro-car politicians such as Marty always say that the current rules strike the right “balance”. Then the new rules go into effect. The next time this happens, again, the pro-car politicians say that the current rules strike the right “balance”.

  • Felix

    Please, someone tell Marty about the subway.

  • mike

    The rally went well, and yes, those kids are indeed amazing. The marching band helped too!

  • Joe Knickerbocker

    #2: “most Brooklyn residents do not own cars,”

    True.

    By the same token, most Brooklyn residents do not own bikes.

    So lets ban both in the park, so pedestrians can enjoy it without fear of being struck by any kind of vehicle.

  • By the same token, most Brooklyn residents do not own bikes.

    So lets ban both in the park

    So I guess you weren’t a paid spy for Silver’s campaign, just a troll.

  • Joe Knickerbocker

    “So I guess you weren’t a paid spy for Silver’s campaign, just a troll.”

    Oh dear, Cap’n Transit, did I squash your prejudices and conspiracy theories?

    Do I dare go against the same old coterie who espouse the party line daily on this incestuos blog?

    Does a counter argument so arouse you?

    Is a troll worse than a blind follower?

  • Oh dear, Cap’n Transit, did I squash your prejudices and conspiracy theories?

    No, you were just kind of annoying. Now, we’re actually trying to get stuff done, so we might ignore you from now on. Please do take it personally.

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Car-Free Hours in Prospect Park? Fuhgeddaboutit!

By Jason Varone |
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz The Daily News reported yesterday that, along with the recent extension of car-free hours in Central Park, Dept. of Transportation officials proposed closing Prospect Park’s Manhattan-bound East Drive to cars during evening rush hour this month but the plan was squashed by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: Sources said city […]

Three Myths From Marty About the PPW Bike Lane

By Ben Fried |
It’s showtime for the Prospect Park West bike lane, with a bike lane protest and a rally for the redesign coming up tomorrow morning. In a prelude to the big day, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is making some rounds in the media. The Brooklyn Paper and NY1 got some choice quotes from the beep, […]