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Every now and then Gothamist sees Mayor Bloomberg in the lede of a news piece and DOESN'T get upset. This is one of those times. Along with the DOT Commissioner, Iris Weinhall, he announced a six month pilot program that would reduce the number of hours vehicles are allowed in both Central and Prospect Parks. The new traffic regulations go into effect June 5th and will hopefully bring some relief to automobile-weary park goers. The program isn't quite the "car-less summer" Borough President Scott Stringer and certain city council members were calling for, but it is a start. Gothamist has a feeling this will do nothing to improve the city's award winning air quality (as most drivers will likely take alternate routes), but it could provide a sanctuary for those of us who use the park as an escape. Now, if only they could do something about all those pesky horse droppings...seriously, if dog piles have to be picked up, why not the massive equine landmines?
Slightly Less Smog For NYC Parks
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This is a small victory. Unfortunately, for both parks, only HALF the park is affected. For many runners I suppose they can easily stay clear of exhaust by running on the car-free side of the park. But for cyclists, we will still get hammered by exhaust on the other side of the park.
Would it really make a huge difference if they closed the park drives entirely? I can't remember ever being on the drives in a car - cab or otherwise. Maybe this is just another one of Bloomy's ways of getting things done. It seems that whenever he says he'll revisit something he usually makes it permanent.
three things no one needs in NYC:
1)car
2)gun
3)kid
The city council and Transportation Alternatives is still pushing for the complete ban on cars. TA held a press conference this morning with Councilmembers Brewer, DeBlasio and Liu along with BP Stringer. They made some pretty strong statements. From what I hear, it all depends on Speaker Quinn.
Cars should be banned in both parks. In the alternative, the police should at least enforce the speed limit on the drives. I use Prospect Park two times a day on average. I see daily cars driving 50-60 miles an hour inside the park. In addition, I have seen cars on occassion blow through red lights at the pedestrian crossings.
It's just not safe having traffic in the parks.
New rules are fine, but they need to be enforced. Even during supposed car-free hours and on weekends I see plenty of cars making their way through the park. Bloomie should station cops at the entrances on a few big weekends to send the message that cars are not allowed during these times.
Talk about reducing smog?...How about they reduce the number of those INSANE street fairs that bring traffic to a standstill every summer. The longer people sit in their cars (& SUVs) churniing out exhaust, the worse the air is for ALL OF US regardless of whether or not we're sitting in the park.
...but then again, where would we buy our tube socks and roasted corn?
Here's what I found shocking, from yesterday's Times:
"Officials estimated that approximately 865 vehicles would be affected by the Central Park closures and about 357 by those in Prospect Park. By contrast, Mr. Bloomberg said, on weekdays an average of 70,000 people use Central Park and 15,000 use Prospect Park."
357 cars? Are you kidding? It's almost like you can call each of these guys and say, Don't drive in the park?! That's 80 people using the park for every driver in Central Park. I mean, please... this is a no-brainer...
The mayor's annoucement is a sham. His intent is to try and kill support for Intro 276, the bill that has a real chance of passing that would be a real ban on cars in both parks.