School Streets
Did you know that any New York City school, from pre-K to K-12 to higher education, can limit vehicle traffic on the street in front of or near their building? The NYC DOT-managed program is called Open Streets for Schools and it can transform the way students, parents and educators experience the environment around their school.
Also called school streets, these spaces are responsive to the needs of each school community. Some schools restrict car access only during hectic arrival and departure times; others use the street throughout the school day for recess, outdoor learning, neighborhood events and assemblies. No matter the format, school streets are a powerful tool for communities. They reimagine a roadway that prioritizes safety and health; a space for children to play, learn and grow.
Schools outside the US are leading the charge. In London, more than 500 school communities have designated a car-free “school street” near their building. In Paris, many schools use permanent swinging gates at the end of their blocks, which can be locked during designated hours. And Tirana, Albania is fast-tracking the construction of permanent shared streets in front of schools. These cities see clear benefits; in the borough of Hackney, tailpipe emissions fell 74 percent and both walking and biking to school increased. Each of these cities have vaulted over New York City because their leaders prioritize quality of life over the status quo.
Open Streets for Schools aren’t just joyful - they’re also safer and more equitable. When school is in session, nearby New York City streets have significantly higher rates of crashes and injuries. And the streets in predominantly non-white districts are 43 percent more dangerous than primarily white schools. Every day, we send our youngest New Yorkers to school using streets and sidewalks that are uniquely dangerous and inadequately protected.
Reclaiming street space from cars keeps our children safer and provides them the freedom to move and think freely. It provides parents the peace of mind and space to connect with fellow parents and educators. And it allows school communities open space for meetings and gatherings.
We work directly with New York City school communities to apply for an Open Street! You can view and download our School Streets Toolkit, co-created with Transportation Alternatives, or contact our School Streets Coordinator Sabina Sethi Unni at sabina [at] openplans.org for practical assistance navigating the application, gaining community support, planning your school street, and more.
