OPEN STREETS TO CONTINUE IN HOBOKEN ON SUNDAY TO CREATE CONNECTION BETWEEN CITY PARKS

Caption: Residents utilizing open streets on Jefferson Street in Hoboken 

(high definition photo attached)

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken are pleased to extend the “open streets” pilot on Sunday, May 24^th. Open streets provide additional space for social distancing and alleviate potential overcrowding in public spaces. Park Avenue between 5^th and 11^th Streets, and 10^th Street between Garden Street and Grand Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 8 am and 8 pm on Sunday, which will create a public connection between Church Square Park and Columbus Park. Hoboken successfully introduced open streets the past two weekends on Jefferson Street and Adams Street.

“I’m extremely pleased that our open streets have been such a big hit and have helped with social distancing during outdoor activities,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Given the challenge of Hoboken’s density, we are doing everything possible to ensure that our parks and other public places are not overcrowded. Open streets present an ideal way for our residents to responsibly utilize more of our public spaces and spread out.”

Face masks should be worn at all times, and the permitted activities are walking, biking and jogging. Congregating, block parties, and lawn chairs along the open streets are prohibited.

Hoboken is one of the only municipalities in the State of New Jersey to create “open streets” on residential streets during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the initial open streets pilot on Jefferson Street, over 2,280 people filled out a survey initiated by the City regarding the program. 88% of total respondents want “open streets” to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide additional space for social distancing.

Seventy-four percent want open streets to continue when COVID-19 is no longer a factor. When asked for their primary reason for using the open streets, 75% said for recreation and 17% said it was on their way to another destination. Users reported walking and biking as their most common activities.

Traffic control officers (TCOs) will be on hand to assist residents in vehicles who need access to vehicles or garages parked on Park Avenue or 10^th Street. Residents do not need to move their vehicles on either Park Avenue or 10^th Street in advance of Sunday.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, open streets were implemented with the goal of creating safe, public access to streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and other users.