Shore Boulevard (Photo: Astoria Park Alliance (twitter))
April 17, 2020 Staff Report
The popular strip along Shore Boulevard by Astoria Park has been closed to traffic indefinitely as a means to stop people from congregating.
The boulevard, a long-time gathering spot for motorcycle and car enthusiasts, was still drawing people each night despite calls for social distancing.
The strip was closed yesterday to traffic but remains open to pedestrians.
The decision to close that section of the boulevard followed calls from the Astoria Park Alliance, a park advocacy group, to city officials and the 114th Precinct noting that people will still gathering there jeopardizing public safety.
“The time for congregating along the shoreline is not now,” the Alliance wrote in a letter to officials.
State Sen. Mike Gianaris lauded the city’s decision to close the strip in a tweet. yesterday.
“NYPD will CLOSE Shore Blvd to vehicular traffic to combat tailgating which, despite repeated warnings, was still taking place in defiance of social distancing directives. Will remain open for pedestrians. Be smarter, folks. It’s not just your own lives at stake.”
🚨Further information from our friends at @NYPD114Pct: while we are dealing with the #COVID19 crisis, the closure of Shore Boulevard will be indefinite.
Social distancing is imperative to keep us all safe. Please do your part to use parks safely.
Thank you @NYPD114Pct https://t.co/RcSmHtR8TW
— AstoriaParkAlliance (@APAlliance) April 16, 2020
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