Dear [first-name],

One of our highlights of 2025 was the Hispanic Heritage Month block party we threw for one of our partner schools’ school street - City-As-School in Lower Manhattan. Together, in close partnership with school faculty and staff, we closed off Clarkson Street to traffic for the school day. We brought a live Latin Jazz drum workshop (hosted by our friends at Jazz Power Initiative in Washington Heights!), barricade cover graffiti-ing, plenty of basketball, and pop up community engagement about our street redesign project. It reminded us of everything a school street can be. 

But, there were challenges: we had to lug chairs, barricades, and a basketball hoop down many flights of stairs (and bring them back inside afterwards); we had to dip into non-existing budgets to cover the empanadas and teaching artists; and staff had to juggle classroom responsibilities with open street management. 

School streets are a beautiful and promising program. And we know that with permanent infrastructure, dedicated funding, and staffing support, the program could be so much more. 

We’re excited to share our vision with the launch of our new report, “School’s Out in the Streets!: A Path Towards School Streets for All in New York City.” In the report, we share best practices from our work with School Streets across the city (featuring three case studies), policy recommendations for the new Mamdani administration to implement in the first 100 days, and more.

All our best,

Sabina & Michael

From new bike lanes, to new stop signs, to new buildings—you can be part of these decisions by joining your community board. Join one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about what community boards do and how you can get involved!

Yes, you can have all of this! Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs) make your neighborhood more livable and community-oriented. Join our upcoming webinar to learn what they are and how to advocate for one in your community.

Mayor Mamdani announced a new program to expand public bathrooms citywide, committing $4 million for high-quality modular restrooms. A huge step for every New Yorker and for our streets and public spaces.

Autonomous vehicles coming to New York State? We have serious concerns. Any program allowing fully driverless, for-hire AVs must be met with rigorous scrutiny before moving forward.

📢 Join your Community Board! | Brooklyn and Queens

Applications are now open for Brooklyn and Queens Community Board members! Play an active role in shaping your local community by serving on your community board.
Application Deadlines:
Brooklyn: February 6, 2026
Queens: February 13, 2026

If you have any questions, email us at CB@openplans.org or join any of our upcoming Community Board webinars.

🌿 EJNYC Plan Panel Discussion | Thu, Jan 15 | 6:30 pm

As part of its ongoing outreach series for the Environmental Justice NYC (EJNYC) Plan, the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice is hosting a panel discussion on how we can better ensure equitable food systems and sovereignty by addressing the connection between climate change, food insecurity, and poverty. This public discussion will be held at Port Richmond High School, which is located at 85 St. Joseph’s Ave. in Staten Island.

🎨 Harlem Wellness on the Move: Community Traveling Mural | Fri, Jan 16 | 3:30-6:30 PM
CONNECT and Housing Works invite you to add your mark to a traveling wellness mural that celebrates what health and community mean in Harlem. No artistic skills needed—just bring your creativity to 71 E 111th St and help create a lasting piece of art that reflects our vibrant neighborhood and collective vision for wellness.

🌳 Long Island City Walk & Talk | Sat, Jan 24 | 11 am

Join a Long Island City Walk & Talk to build a strong parks system! New Yorkers for Parks and the Play Fair Coalition will be joined by Council Member Julie Won, Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, Court Square Civic Association and other local partners, who will explore how parks, greenways, the waterfront and open spaces are shaping the future of LIC and why investing in the public realm matters for health, safety, and climate resilience.

🏃🏽‍♀️ WE ACT Earth Day 5K | Sat, Apr 25 | 9 AM

Lace up for WE ACT's annual 5K at Randall's Island and run for environmental justice! All registrants get a free WE ACT membership and race t-shirt, with awards for top finishers and fundraisers (individual and team). Can't make it in person? Register for the virtual race option—all proceeds support WE ACT's community-driven climate work.

🎶 Museum Mile Festival: El Sabor de Mi Barrio | Tue, Jun 9 | 6-9 PM
El Museo del Barrio transforms a stretch of Fifth Avenue into a vibrant Puerto Rican block party with live music (courtesy of Carnegie Hall Citywide Concert Series), salsa dancing, DJs, and hands-on art-making for all ages. Join your community for free guided museum tours and dance activations that celebrate the barrio's rhythm, creativity, and essential place in NYC's cultural identity.

Change is coming to New York City!

As Open Plans looks ahead, help us seize this critical opportunity to build a vibrant city — one with joyful, livable streets as public spaces. Not just for some, but for all New Yorkers. Any amount you give sustains this advocacy for real change.

Open Plans
PO Box 1009
New York, NY 10013

Copyright © 2025 Open Plans Inc. All rights reserved.

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