New York City expands the Open Streets Program with 21 new locations including North 15 Street in Brooklyn, covering grounds from Nassau Boulevard to Banker Street. 

It is one of 156 locations in total as part of the Department of Transportation’s program that will be up and running by the summer.  

Other new slated sites include Duffield Street in Downtown Brooklyn opening Monday and Watkins in Brownsville.  

Open Streets launched in 2020 near the start of the pandemic. It allows space for people to go out and enjoy a closed street to sit down, eat, ride a bike or even play some games. 

While many are in favor of the DOT’s program, it has faced controversy as drivers in the past have said the barred space has created detours and delays in parts of the city.  

Saturday is a big for some of these open streets, continuing the Earth Day celebration with “Car Free Earth Day” in the city, with approximately 100 open streets and plazas participating.  

Special programming will be held at nine locations including Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn and Roberto Clemente Plaza in the Bronx.  

New Yorkers can also claim free Citi Bike Day passes to ride around and check out.