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 the 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. There are currently 71 schools participating in the program, and Open Plans has provided technical assistance to 24 schools to apply for this transformative program.

Also called school streets, these spaces can be tailored to the needs of each school community. Some schools open the street just during hectic arrival and dismissal times; others use the space to host recess, physical education, or outdoor learning; it can even be used after school for neighborhood events and assemblies. No matter the format, school streets are a powerful tool for communities. They reimagine a roadway to prioritize safety and health; a space for children to play, learn, and grow.

Open Plans works directly with New York City school communities to apply for an Open Street! We help schools learn about this program, work through every step of the application process (from securing letters of support to drafting site plans), conduct outreach to your neighbors, elected officials, and community organizations, provide troubleshooting on a day to day basis, and host events like block parties and community engagement. You can view and download our School Streets Toolkit, co-created with Transportation Alternatives, or contact our Schools Planner Sabina Sethi Unni at sabina [at] openplans.org for practical assistance navigating the application, gaining community support, planning your school street, and more.