Support Car-Free Programming at the Astoria Park Shore Fest!

The Astoria Park Alliance has been working with the DOT to plan three consecutive Sundays (August 7, 14, 21) of street closures on Shore Blvd in Astoria. Shore Blvd is the lone street between Astoria Park and the East River waterfront. The Astoria Park Shore Fest shall highlight Shore Blvd's potential as a grand connection between the neighborhood's signature park and the fabulous waterfront views. Cars typically monopolize the street, speed down the road and create dangerous crossing conditions for pedestrians, hampering what Shore Blvd is naturally, which is a waterfront promenade for the neighborhood.

The Astoria Park Alliance will program Shore Blvd for the first three Sundays in August by presenting the Astoria Park Shore Fest. This includes extensive coordination with Astoria Music and Arts, Green Shores NYC and Partnerships for Parks. It will include educational activities, live music, fitness programs and food-tastings with various neighborhood restaurants. Additional support is coming from the NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation, Build It Green! NYC, and the NYC Dept of Transportation. A team of volunteer programming experts are working on the events of the day, but some essential equipment and supplies are needed to solidify an active and fun event for all.

This project will close Shore Blvd down to all traffic on August 7th, 14th and 21st and open the street up to pedestrians and non-vehicular modes of transportation. By doing this, we are improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions on the street as well as allowing and encouraging all park goers to move free and safely while enjoy this magnificent stretch of urban landscape. It is a project we are undertaking in hopes of enhancing park use, improving air quality, promoting environmental education and encouraging additional active recreation spaces to address childhood and adult obesity.