Skip to content

Summer Streets 2010: Dumpster Diving for the Masses

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.

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.

Photo of Ben Fried
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.

Read More:

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Monday’s Headlines: We Fixed Congress Edition

March 23, 2026

The City Is Doing to Prospect Park What It Needs to Do to All Parks

March 23, 2026

NYC Pols To DOT: We Want More — And Better — Summer Streets!

March 23, 2026

Why Some Members of Congress Want to Go Big on Greenways

March 23, 2026

Drunk Driver Arrested In High-Speed Harlem Crash That Killed Cyclist, Injured Four Others

March 21, 2026
See all posts