Photos/Evie Hantzopoulos

Astoria residents are enjoying their tree-lined streets now more than everGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Open Streets, the citywide initiative is becoming more common to limit vehicle traffic and promote pedestrian activityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The 31st Ave Open Street Collective, led by Evie Hantzopoulos and Macartney Morris, blocked off a portion of 31st Avenue to traffic from 8 aGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.mGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. to 8 pGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.m every dayGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.31st Avenue StrollGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“While other Open Streets were being announced throughout the city in June, Astoria was getting very littleGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Shore Boulevard by Astoria Park didn’t really do anything for those who live over a mile away, and with the crowded sidewalks and streets on 30th Ave and Ditmars, we wanted to provide an opportunity for our community to have space nearby where everyone could walk safety, ride bikes or scooters, play and safely social distance without fear of cars, crowds or COVID risk,” Hantzopoulos saidGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Hantzopoulos and Morris sent in applications in May to the Department of Transportation to apply for the Open StreetGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The department said they needed a “high-capacity” partner to make it happen, and within days, 55 neighbor volunteers signed up and became the 31st Avenue Open Street CollectiveGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“I like the idea of the 31st Avenue Open StreetGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. I think it can provide a much needed reprise from being crammed in apartments, and along with better planning, would be a great way to strengthen the community while still maintaining social distancing,” Managing Partner of Mom’s Kitchen and Bar, Rob Williamson saidGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Most days there are runners, walkers and bikers using the street and even people relaxing in lounge chairsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. On weekends, 31st Avenue residents host barbecuesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. A kid’s bike hour is scheduled three days a weekGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Yoga Agora, situated on Broadway, uses the area for yoga classesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“The 31st Ave Open Street has been a nice lifeline for our small [business]Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The nature of a yoga class is to give friends and neighbors a place to gatherGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. We know we must be mindful about how we gather, and if gathering indoors creates too much risk, gathering in the Open Street gives us a safe alternative,” Yoga Agora owner, Nick Velkov saidGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

According to Williamson, the project has been positive for business at Mom’s, but traffic on adjacent streets and drivers ignoring the barriers blocking off the street is a concern–especially when kids are playing in the streetGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The Collective assured more barricades have been requested from the DOT to help prevent this issueGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“I’ve definitely had a few proverbial side-eyes from motorists who are unable to drive on the street while we’re practicing yoga, and some neighbors on 31st Ave have been vocally disgruntled by the conceptGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. If those folks took time to actually use the Open Street, they might soften their misgivings,” Velkov saidGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. 

According to Hantzopoulos, two cars intentionally tried to drive through a yoga class to scare people and someone called the NYPD to complain about a group “passively aggressively practicing yoga” on a separate occasionGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. However, many avenue residents responsibly park their vehicles and follow the five mGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.pGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.h rule when parking or making a deliveryGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. 

“[Moving] forward I hope we can all reimagine our neighborhood streets and not view them purely as a place to take us from A to B using a vehicle, but as a place for all to share, enjoy, connect and build community,” Hantzopoulos saidGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.