After three years of advocacy by a volunteer group, a block of Austin Street, Forest Hills' main shopping strip, went car-free every Sunday for the first time this summer. Earlier Sundays brought chalk art, finger painting, knitting lessons, street-safety games and helmet giveaways. This is the last Sunday listed for the first season, so if you live in Central Queens, come see the street without cars before it goes back to traffic.
What to expect
Expect one pedestrianized block steps from Station Square and the Queens Boulevard subway, with public seating, games and activity tables run by local groups and businesses. People bike, scoot, draw on the street and stop at the shops and cafés along Austin Street. Activities change week to week.
Good to know
- Free and open to the public
- The E/F/M/R to Forest Hills–71 Av is about a block away, and the LIRR Forest Hills station is right by Station Square
- Kid-friendly, with chalk, games and activity stations
- Bring a bike or scooter; riding on the closed block is part of the idea
- Austin Street's shops and restaurants stay open around the closure
- Organized by the volunteer group Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street
Going? Keep it.
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Common questions
Is this the last one?
Local coverage lists the Sunday series as running through September 20, 2026, which makes this the final listed date of the first season.
Who runs the Austin Street Open Street?
Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street, a volunteer advocacy group focused on pedestrian safety, runs it in partnership with local businesses under NYC DOT's Open Streets program.
Does it cost anything?
No. Seating, games and activities are free and open to everyone.
